If the press release for Helen Boulding’s debut album, ‘New Red Dress’ is anything to go by, it’s a bit of a ‘best kept secret’ kind of thing. Sheffield girl with ringlets and curls ditches her job at Sheffield Steel factory, trades in her hobnail boots for a pair of oversized wellies and flash dances her way down to the Old Smoke where she launches a singing career with ringing endorsements from the likes of Simon Tong (The Good, The Bad & The Queen, The Verve), Squeeze’s Chris Difford, Pink Floyd’s Rick Wright and Imogen Heap – who is alleged to have persuaded Boulding to set up her own label, Maid In Sheffield and release the whole kit and caboodle on her own terms without whoring herself around popular social-networking websites and placing herself into the usual creative strait-jacket oft tailored by major labels. Of course you’d be forgiven for thinking Boulding simply couldn’t bag a deal in a chip shop, but what she lacks in big budgets, familial connections and extensive radio-play she more than makes up for with gusset-busting and seriously unpretentious gifts in crafting a tune. It’s there in the dribbling Americana of new single, ‘Copenhagen’, the gentle space-exploration of ‘Breathe’ and the gloriously pouting storm clouds of ‘IDKWIW’ – a song that swaggers around the speaker with all the tortured, leathery loveliness of Maria McKee and Richard Hawley’s raincoat. Produced by Martin ‘Youth’ Glover (Verve, ‘Urban Hymns’, James, Depeche Mode, Crowded House, Guns N' Roses, Siouxsie & the Banshees) ‘New Red Dress’ is a Beatle-icious mix of ruthlessly autumnal folk, ivory fondling cheeriness and open-heart surgery arrangements. A bit like Elvis Costello - but without the vitriol and the glasses. Of course you’re likely to find it loafing around on Radio Two sandwiched between generous servings of Katie Melua and Richard Hawley, but hey – that’s where most of the decent things end up thesedays.
 1. Where are you now and what can you see?
I’m in my office/studio on my computer. I can see my garden out of the window and as usual it’s a very rainy day.
2. What was the last thing you ate?
Kellogs cereal with rice milk.
3. What was the last thing you loved really quite passionately?
Kings of Leon and Pancakes with syrup.
4. What’s the next piece of music you intend to buy?
‘In Rainbows’ - Radiohead
5. What was the last film you saw?
Darjeeling Limited
6. Ever had a recurring dream? What is it?
Yes, I flap my arms and slowly start rising into the air and fly over the roof tops, but really slowly. It’s like I escape everything down below.
7. What is the most important thing you’ve ever done?
Loving and supporting my family and friends, because that makes a big difference in their lives and I love them and want them to be happy.
8. Where in the world do you still want to go?
India. Australia.
9. Where or how do you feel most comfortable?
I feel most comfortable at my Mum and Dad;s house in Sheffield or in my little flat in Crouch End.
10. Any plans for tomorrow?
Yes, I’m going to finish off a track I’ve started writing.
SINGLE: ‘COPENHAGEN’ – OUT ON 4TH FEB 2008 ON MAID IN SHEFFIELD
ALBUM: ‘NEW RED DRESS’ – OUT ON 11th FEB 2008 ON MAID IN SHEFFIELD
Relevant sites:
www.helenboulding.com
www.myspace.com/helenboulding
Alan Sargeant for Crud Magazine 2008©
|
