Meet Violet Helm | Singer/Composer/Producer

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

Hi Violet, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Esse quam videri”: Latin for “To be, rather than to seem.” (mic drop level quote)

I didn’t discover this quote until many years after I moved away from my home town in North Carolina, which is the state that deemed this phrase it’s motto. As an artist in the 21st century, where there’s a thousand different avenues for finding success in the entertainment industry (not all of them created equal), this quote has held me firm in my purpose of creating art for art’s sake alone.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is a compilation of sonic poeticism, raw lyricism and a little dash of euphemism. I am a singer, songwriter and producer and I’m motivated as an artist by the nuance moments in life that we so often miss. I find myself as artfully inspired after my morning tea, observing the doves in my back garden as if I had attended a symphony.

If you came to see me live, you’d find me alone on stage, a bunch of piano solos, some film score styled movements, and hard hitting vocals. My journey to where I am today has been wild to say the least! From tinkering on the upright piano in my childhood home, to composing multi instrumental pieces at the age of 10 or so, to church choir, to learning the guitar, to teaching myself to sing, to releasing my first album, to singing Power Metal vocals for a band in Salt Lake City to where I am now, recording my second full length album, I’ve been grateful for every evolution and every challenge along the way. That’s a lie, I haven’t always been grateful, but I wouldn’t be the artist that I am without some of the road blocks.

I think often as we get older we begin to believe that we have “it all” figured out and attempt to control a moment when just then, we get reminded that we aren’t in any form in control of any one thing or any one moment and that’s why we keep doing what we’re doing. The mystery is still alive and we can’t stop chasing it! Thank God it’s still alive.

My story truly revolves around experimentation. And the exciting part is that every door that presents itself looks different! Sometimes it’s a new piano piece that is on repeat in my head that I then sit down with and talk to and eventually record. Sometimes it looks like me writing a hook or singing a rap for a hip-hop artist on their new track. Sometimes it looks like composing an electronic album randomly over the weekend. Opportunities are always changing and I feel lucky that my muse still sends ideas my way.

I am most proud of the album that I have written and am in the process of recording. It’s a concept album about one’s journey to finding god and the realization that every ancient mythology or sacred book or ritual practice leads them back to the same place. Sounds out there, but trust me, it’s delicious.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was coming to town, I’d take them up to every spot on the mountain that has influenced me in some way. I live in a gorgeous area of Utah where in just moments, you’ll most likely come across a waterfall or some kind of wildlife.

After a lovely hike, I’d take them to Itto Sushi and order them all of the unique rolls that you cannot find anywhere else. We’d then hit up Taste for some sipping chocolate, snag a drink at Next Door bar, enjoy a burlesque show at Prohibition, and end the night at The Rest, a gorgeous spot underneath Bodega in downtown Salt Lake.

Another evening I would probably take them up to Sundance to see all of my friends and enjoy the serenity of the mountain while enjoying live music at the Owl Bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not be where I am today as an authentic artist and professional vocalist without the support of my family and friends. Every step along the way, I’ve received nothing but encouragement and appreciation from those that I love and those who are new to my work.

A couple of the artist’s who have influenced me the most are singer/songwriters Joanna Newsom, Woodkid, author/poets Khalil Gibran, Paulo Coelho and the beloved writer/director Wes Anderson.

Shoutout to Josh Richardson for always seeing my vision as clearly as I do.

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/violethelmmusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violethelm/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/violethelm?app=desktop

Other: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/violet-helm/912358826 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/violet-helm Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3set3wgPlonSSAgq4RIWmo?si=Be6v3MLtS0auBYyHPma7vg

Image Credits
Image credits: Robyn Whoolly, Shana Nicholls, Kellee Dawn Martins