If you want to become part of Toronto’s thriving music scene, singer-songwriter Scott Helman has one piece of advice: write as many songs as you can.
“That craft will take you farther than anything,” Helman tells The CJN.
The 19-year-old musician can testify to that: Helman just finished a six-month writing and recording spree leading up to the release of his first EP, Augusta. The record dropped on Oct. 14, and the Toronto native plans to start touring around Ontario in November.
Playing concerts is something that gives Helman great joy. He was performing for his friends at the Aspetta Caffe in Toronto’s Kensington Market even before he caught the eye of League of Rock founder Terry Moshenberg.
Moshenberg, who is now Helman’s manager, talked to some contacts at Warner Music Canada, and they decided to take a chance on the young singer. At the time, Helman was only a year into high school.
From there, things came together slowly. Every so often, the teen would have a writing session with artists and songwriters who helped him develop ideas. Helman worked closely with Simon Wilcox, whom he co-penned Augusta with, while Warner’s Ron Lopata offered helpful direction.
As soon as he had proven his worth and officially signed with the label two years later, Helman started working at full speed. While writing music can be a scary, bewildering process, Helman says getting into writing a song is his favourite part of making music.
“When I’m in a writing session, I feel like I’m making art fully and truly,” he says.
His debut EP gets its title from an avenue in Kensington Market, a place Helman says makes him think back to working on and recording the album.
“It’s sort of this accumulative place,” Helman says. “The first place me and my band played was at The Supermarket, which is on Augusta. Five months later, I got an apartment there for two weeks. I ended up finishing this record while I was there. It just seemed like the street was where it all started.”
Augusta’s release and tour will sum up a breakthrough year for Helman, who has opened in concert for Tegan and Sara, as well as Matthew Good. During Leonard Cohen Week in September, Helman performed a cover of Suzanne on CBC Radio 2.
Even though he has lofty musical dreams and says he plans to keep writing songs for as long as he can, Helman does not know if selling out big arenas to make money is something he foresees. He says he would rather do an intimate show at a small club or café, where he can see the audience react and respond to his music.
“When you’re onstage… it’s like you’re connecting [with people] in a way that doesn’t really exist in any other part of life,” he says. “It’s ineffable. Especially when you’re young and you don’t feel secure… being on stage is where you get a good response all the time and you know who you are.”
Helman currently listens to a wide variety of rock music, from Hozier and Sun Kil Moon to classic acts like The Band and Neil Young. Helman even got to step onto the stage where Young had played many concerts, when he performed at Toronto’s historic Massey Hall in September.
“It was the first show I played where I felt like, this is where I’m supposed to be,” he says. “Just to have a response from an audience that big was really reassuring and special.”
Each song on Augusta has its distinct sound and style. Scott’s favourite track from the album is the emotional, low-key track Machine.
A friend of Helman who has had trouble with drug abuse inspires another song, The Lion. The titular animal represents a creature that’s waiting to pounce and harm.
The biggest crowd-pleasers at concerts, though, are his love songs, including Augusta’s lead single, Bungalow. Another fan favourite, Cry Cry Cry, was inspired by one of Helman’s past relationships.
There are more songs in his repertoire, so he should stick with the recommendation to write as often as he can. Meanwhile, Helman says there is another piece of advice he hopes to follow for the rest of his musical career: always be Peter Pan.
“Always be a kid,” he says. “Don’t ever think you’ve made it or you’ve grown or reached a point. For me, I’m always going to stay who I am. And I’m always going to be a kid.”
Augusta is currently available on iTunes and scotthelmanmusic.com.
