Meet Helena Mayer | Artist / singer-songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Helena Mayer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helena, why did you pursue a creative career?
I had a love for music starting at an early age. I remember many big family gatherings where I threw concerts for anyone who would listen. I loved seeing the ways the music I played impacted those who would listen. When I got older, I experienced moments where music played an integral role in my development as a human. I would connect to specific songs in key moments of my life—falling in love, falling out of love, grieving the loss of a loved one, celebrating new life. These all were associated with music for me. I truly believe that music has the ability to speak to people in ways words alone never could. I chose to pursue music because I wanted to give people those same moments that I had.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
One of my favorite things about my project is my lyrics. Someone told me a few years ago to think of songwriting more as discovering the song instead of creating it, and that has deeply impacted my approach. I also have a background in philosophy and humanities, so I find ways to incorporate lyrics that are more complex. I see it as a puzzle to solve, and that perspective gives me the freedom to see what fits and what needs to change. I also love the freedom I have had to explore different styles of music. I’ve struggled fitting my music perfectly into one genre, and it excites me to continue to push boundaries musically and create something unique.
I am definitely still in the growing stages, and it can be very challenging particularly with the pandemic as a factor. I was just starting to gig more frequently when the world shut down, and so much of the last two years have felt like I was rebuilding momentum which was incredibly discouraging. One of the ways I overcame that was through finding creative ways to still perform and connect with others. Rather than wait for live gigs to come back into the picture, I decided to start live streaming shows on a weekly basis. It was through that step that I have found some of the most loyal fans and supporters. I learned during that period of time that there are so many avenues creatives can take to accomplish the same goal. The beauty of the creative world is that creativity does not just stop at your craft. It is a necessary component of how you share your craft with the world.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
One of the first places I would take them would be The Last Bookstore. There is always something new to discover there! It’s easy to get lost in the artwork as well as the selection of books and cosy spaces to read. They would also have to go to some of the sports games LA has to offer—particularly a Dodger game and an LAFC game. The Dodger crowd is so lively and passionate about their team and LAFC games I would argue rival the energy of European soccer fans. If it was around the fall, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios would definitely be on the itinerary as well. That is something I look forward to every year!
In terms of food, Wood & Vine has some of the most clever drink names and their food is also delicious! Yamashiro would be a fantastic spot as well because the food is amazing and the location is beautiful. There are also so many cute restaurants and shops around LA, so it would be fun to explore different restaurants and places we hadn’t been to!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has always been my biggest support system. They are the type of people that have believed in me even in moments where I was unable to believe in myself. They have been an integral piece in building my brand and setting me up with the necessary tools to be successful in my career. I cannot begun to describe how grateful I am for their support and excitement over my music. Another huge support has been my producer, Josh Zegan. We have been working together since 2018, and he has encouraged me to grow in my writing and musicianship. I can confidently say I would not be the writer that I am if it weren’t for his guidance the past five years.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenamayermusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCInqnVojOtkq02p9dWkMBiw

Other: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/helenamayermusic

Image Credits
Maddy Rob Duncan Shaffer Karina Ardley