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Music

Helen Shanahan is divine on Finding Gold

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There are some of us that unfortunately don’t have a musical bone in our bodies. When we sing it is enough to bring tears (not those of joy) to anyone in a close enough proximity to hear it, and don’t even think about letting us touch an instrument. There is a 98% chance it will be broken within five minutes. It is this lack of talent (it would be a sad world without talented musicians, wouldn’t it?) that makes me thankful for people like Helen Shanahan, who is a pure musical talent and accomplished musician.

Helen Shanahan Finding Gold

With the voice of an angel and the songwriting skills to match, Western Australian crooner Helen Shanahan is flawless on her latest EP Finding Gold.

Becoming friends with her songs and lyrics during her teenage days, these indie/folk inspirations have followed her throughout the years, and can now be found in her stunning new EP, Finding Gold. All five tracks featured on the album have a natural vibe, blended with a unique indie/country/folk sound. Each song flows with warm and gentle undertones, with all of them standing out from each other and creating a sea of pure, acoustic music.

The first single from the EP is Across the Sea, which is instantly captivating, and Helen’s pitch-perfect vocals seem like they could turn grey skies blue. Honest lyrics inspired by her struggle with anxiety bring us an emotionally charged single, with an upbeat and infectious melody. After hearing this single, it is near impossible to not want to hear what the rest of the album has in store.

Dead Weight is the second track on the EP and features a much deeper, more bluesy sound that Helen’s other work. It’s the kind of song you would expect to hear in an old, dimly lit jazz bar…that’s the type of mood and tone this tune produces and it’s nothing short of magical.

Title track Finding Gold is one of those songs that can’t be explained through words, they just won’t do it any justice. So quite simply, it’s one of the most beautiful and striking songs floating around at the moment. Every element of this song blends to create an uplifting and cheery three minutes, and the lyric “I keep finding gold” seems to mirror one’s eternal quest for happiness, or whatever each person’s “gold” may be.

The EP ends with Love Lost and Windmill, which both bring us more folky goodness. Once again, Helen’s flawless vocals are an absolute stand out, closing the album on such a pretty sounding, ear-pleasing note.

After hearing Finding Gold, it’s not hard to see why Helen has been the recipient of so many highly regarded awards, including being named the 2013 Telstra Road to Discovery Songwriter of the year. She will be hitting the road on July 9 presented by Happy for the Finding Gold tour, so make sure you get to your closest show!

Thursday July 9 – Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle

Saturday July 12 – Caves House, Yallingup

Tuesday July 14 –  The Newsagency, Sydney

Friday July 17 – The Spotted Mallard, Melbourne

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