We have been patiently waiting for this one, and it’s finally here! Helen Shanahan has been a Club member since 2018 and is also a long time mentor in our Songwriting Courses for beginners. Her brand new album ‘Canvas’ has just been released, and all 10 of the songs from it were written in I Heart Songwriting Club!

‘Canvas’ is evocative of Ladies of the Canyon-era Joni Mitchell, Kacey Musgraves, and Australian superstar Missy Higgins – what Helen shares with these impressive women is an innate understanding of songwriting – how to weave a story and set it to the perfect melody, the most poignant chords.

Listen to Helen’s new record ‘Canvas’ here.

Helen is at her best on ‘Canvas.’ Soft, acoustic guitar travels steadily beneath her unique, buttery voice. The title track, Canvas is quite a sad song, but introspective, reflective as well – like a person in their 30s may look back on their behaviour during their late teens. 

Speaking about the song, Helen says, “The single was inspired by the Theme ‘lessons.’ It made me think about how I learnt to make myself small. I was essentially a doormat for a particular group of people. The song brought up lots of mixed emotions. It unravelled how that relationship affected my adult life and how I had to ‘unlearn’ my feelings of low self-esteem and worth.”

Helen has been a Club member since 2018 and is also a songwriting course mentor.

She had this to say about the Club:

“I Heart Songwriting Club has given me a much-needed kick to practise my craft more frequently. I would always feel so much pressure to write a good song. However, this process encourages you to let go and just write what comes to you without overthinking. It has taken a lot of the stress away.”

“The Club has made me feel more comfortable to share a song regardless of whether it is fully formed or ‘perfect.’ It’s just great to keep writing without worrying too much about the outcome. The feedback from other writers makes you feel part of a community. You learn that everyone goes through similar struggles when trying to write. I can’t recommend it enough if you want to get back in touch with your songwriting.”

Making an album during a global pandemic is no mean feat…

‘Canvas,‘ however, is nothing short of a triumph.  Helen’s songwriting prowess has always been impressive. ‘Canvas,’ however, sees her reaching new heights. Previous single and album opener Deer In Headlights powers ahead with a killer chorus. Next, the reflective and contemplative No seethes amidst a bed of strings and percussion. The edgy Chemical Help takes influence from the pop world.

Recorded in Perth with Jon Clements, and produced remotely by Brad Jones in Nashville, ‘Canvas’ takes influence from the likes of Taylor Swift while still staying true to Helen’s country singer/songwriter roots. Speaking on the themes of the album, Helen says, “…a lot of the songs on the album ended up pertaining to my high school years. This is where I developed a lot of anxiety and low self-worth. Now in my 30s, I am in more stable relationships. As a result, I’m able to observe how these relationships made me behave- and how they made their mark on my mental health. While there are a lot of darker themes on the album, the opening and closing tracks celebrate the ‘better times’ and positive relationships.” 

We invite you to connect with Helen, enjoy her new record, and continue to be inspired by her songwriting journey as she grows and progresses. If you’re just starting out in your songwriting journey, and you’re interested in having Helen as your songwriting mentor, join our upcoming songwriting course here.

Listen to the Album here