Interview with Vocalist Helen Johnson of Powderhead (UK)
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Helen! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Helen
Johnson:
Thank you for the opportunity,
always love chatting music!
CV: Critics have begun to imply that
what's missing in the music world today is integrity, which some equate to
originality. Do you agree this is an issue? Is originality for an artist
something that is not present in today’s music?
HJ: We
play with and watch hundreds of ‘grassroots’ bands each year and are frequently
blown away by the talent and unique sounds out there. It’s perhaps less evident
in the mainstream, but even there we see some bands interpreting the Rock and Metal
genres in a completely different way. Perhaps it’s less common than it used to
be to see originality in the mainstream, and this is an issue in and of itself,
but this to me isn’t due to a lack of it existing in the music world, it just
doesn’t always get the exposure it deserves.
CV: Does having a female presence in the band offer a different perspective with regards to music interpretation and fan appeal?
HJ: The
band works as one and for us, gender is irrelevant. It is also not something we
promote or focus on, instead concentrating on the music and live shows, which
are the elements that appeal to the majority of our fan base.
HJ: The
two seem to go hand in hand. A band’s image, artwork, theme etc. can often be a
factor in whether a listener will even give the band a chance. That being said,
once a listener takes that chance, the music has to hold its own, so the
quality has to be there. If I don’t connect with a band’s music, their image
will not change that. For me, the live performance has a massive impact on my
impression of a band. One of the things I love most about Rock and Metal is the
energy, authenticity and passion in the live performance. That is when I really
feel I connect…or not, with a band and their music. As a band, our passion is
for the live shows and writing new music.
CV: There are definitely those PR and
marketing execs who feel that without a striking image or some visually
enticing element to capture the attention of an audience, an artist’s music
alone is not enough to build a career on. Is this something you would
agree with and is this “image over music” concept really something audiences
really desire?
HJ: For
me, the music trumps the image, but I recognize that with the prevalence of
social media and saturation of imagery, it’s more important than ever to stand
out visually. Audiences often like to be consumed, not only by the music, but
the idea of a band, their life, their values etc., which can be presented as
easily through images and performance as it can through the lyrics and feel of
the music. It’s particularly crucial these days to have the full package, which
is difficult for musicians starting out who wish to focus on the music and
don’t necessarily have PR and marketing execs to deal with that side of things!
CV: What do you feel is something
bands can afford not to do when it comes to building their brand name and
having their music heard? Is there anything Powderhead would consider
off limits?
HJ: For
Powderhead, one of the most important things is that we believe in the music we
are producing. If we had to start formulating our songs in a particular way or
sticking to particular topics in our lyrics, that, for us, would be off limits.
If the band doesn’t believe in the music, how can an audience believe in it?
Again, we’re on the lines of style over substance and the line has to be drawn
somewhere. We put a lot of passion into our performances and without that
belief behind the music, the passion just couldn’t be found.
CV: How do you look at change? Is it
something you embrace as an artist or is it a tough mold to break?
HJ: Most
of the members of Powderhead have been playing in bands for 15-25 years. Even
in that reasonably short timeframe, we have each seen the music scene and
industry change immensely. Whether we think it’s for the better or worse, or
even if we hold some nostalgia for how things used to be, we’re all aware of
how important it is to embrace change and adapt. Nothing is particularly easy
as a grassroots band and adapting to change is just another one of the
challenges. It’s the passion that keeps you going and that will ensure you
persevere! I personally love the fact that vinyl has come back as a real
treasured item for fans of contemporary bands. Powderhead’s second album is
currently in production and we’re very keen to release this not only on digital
platforms and CD, but also on vinyl with full artwork.
CV: In your opinion, can an artist
change with the times and still remain true to themselves and to their core
beliefs and still be successful?
HJ: I
think so. As times change, so do people, society, the world etc. The
majority of bands take inspiration from the here and now, even if looking back
on events and feelings, we’re looking back with current eyes and our
interpretation is affected by the now. Even the retro is only so because of the
now. I think if you believe in the music you’re producing and remain true to
your core beliefs, you will maintain an irresistible authenticity, but if you
lose your path in trying to keep up with the current popular trend, you’re sure
to lose your audience. You have to adapt, but always remember what you set out
to achieve.
HJ: That
always seems to be the case with art. Artists generally like to focus on the
art and the thought of monetizing it is almost demeaning; it gives it a set
value and rejects the ethereal quality it previously had. Music is no different
from any other art form in that sense. There is also the fact that musicians
are just that, musicians, and are not always business minded, so it is easy to
neglect that side simply because it is out of the comfort zone.
CV: Is there a way bands can maintain
their artistic passions and beliefs and still be effective business individuals
and properly manage their careers?
HJ: I’d
say by creating a network of people you trust, with skills in specific areas
and an appreciation of the band’s goals and beliefs, and who can manage certain
aspects of the ‘business’. This lets the musicians be musicians and focus their
efforts on the music. Of course, most bands starting out do not have the funds
to have a large team outside the band on board! With Powderhead it’s constantly
a careful balancing act of ensuring enough time goes into making the music,
while sharing the efforts of the business side and outsourcing where we can.
CV: What’s next for Powderhead?
HJ: We’re
currently looking forward to releasing and touring the second album. This was
planned for this Autumn, but may be pushed back a bit due to the lockdown
restrictions. For us it’s all about the live gigs, so we’ll look to continue
our relentless gigging around the UK and hopefully further afield into Europe.
And in between all that, we’ll be looking to start writing for the third
album!! Expect to see plenty more from Powderhead!
CV: Thank you
again Helen for spending some time
talking and sharing with
our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.
HJ: Thank you!
Check out Powederhead at:
Official:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powderheadband/
our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.
HJ: Thank you!
Check out Powederhead at:
Official:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powderheadband/
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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