Best of British Showcase #5 – Jade Helliwell
Welcome to a new series on Belles and Gals where Nick Cantwell (twitter.com/nickbelles_gals) will be highlighting some of the very best acts on the UK country music scene, casting an eye over their music and chatting to the artists too. The series continues today with the wonderful Jade Helliwell.
It’s been an incredible few years for Jade Helliwell. A multi-award winner at the BCMA’s and a string of festival appearances at events such as the Country 2 Country Festival, Buckle and Boots, FSA Fest and Nashville Meets London. Not to mention THAT video of Jade singing with a busker on a night out in Leeds, which was seen by an incredible 21 million people on Facebook! 2018 saw the release of Jade’s brilliant ‘Infatuation’ EP’, while November saw a new single release in ‘Drive’ – check out the fantastic video below.
The start of 2019 was an amazing one for Jade, embarking on the Buckle and Boots tour of Australia – so I caught up with Jade on her return about all things Australia, a look back on last year and a very special gig for us here at Belles and Gals.
Hi Jade, So you kicked off 2019 with a bang by heading over to Australia as part of the ‘Buckle and Boots’ tour. That must have been an amazing experience?
It really was incredible! We got to see so many beautiful places and the reaction over there to the music was amazing. I’m already itching to go back!
What do you feel you learnt on the tour? Does such an event change the outlook on your career?
I learnt that it’s hard to perform in 50 degree heat haha. But I seriously learnt that if you truly enjoy what you’re doing, audiences will enjoy it too. It hasn’t made me change my outlook, more so confirmed that I know my sound and where I want to head with my music.
You must look back on 2018 with fond memories too. The release of your fantastic ‘Infatuation’ EP (which is nominated for our EP of the year award!), the ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year’ too with Boom Tick!
Yes 2018 really was a great year for me. As you mentioned I released my Infatuation EP and got a great response and it was topped off with the nominations and awards! Makes me feel really grateful to everyone who supported the EP in anyway.
Now you’re back from Australia and no longer suffering from jetlag, what are your hopes for 2019?
Ha finally recovered from Jetlag! I plan to release more music throughout the year, play lots of shows including the Belles and Gals Showcase in Manchester in April and just keep on keeping on!
Purchase tickets to the Jade Helliwell headline gig here –
https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/jade-helliwell-gullivers-tickets/8904825