Finding his musical influences in album-focused artists like Arcade Fire, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, The Cure, Bon Iver and Paul Simon, Canadian singer-songwriter Scott Helman returns May 12, 2017 with his debut full-length album, Hôtel de Ville. Recorded in Toronto at Revolution Recording and produced by Tawgs Salter (Lights, Walk Off The Earth, USS), the album’s first official single is the irresistible pop alternative track “Kinda Complicated” which applies breezy, catchy songwriting and winking-lyricism to either a failed relationship or his own daily struggle with ADHD.
“The more that I write music the more that I feel that I’m curing myself,” Scott explains. “How am I gonna be a better person and how am I gonna be a better lover? I have to figure out all those things that are knocking around in my head.”
In mid-January, Scott teased the announcement of Hôtel de Ville by releasing the song “21 Days” as an early gift to fans. Scott had been performing “21 Days” for the past two years and wanted fans to have the chance to hear the final recorded versions of the song that had quickly become a concert favourite. Hôtel de Ville is available for pre-order now. All digital pre-orders will include an instant download of the tracks “Kinda Complicated” and “21 Days”. See full track listing below.
In 2014, Scott Helman released the song “Bungalow” as the first single from his debut EP Augusta. The track introduced a fresh new voice to the musical landscape and his versatility led to tours across Canada, playing with the likes of Tegan and Sara, Shawn Mendes and Matthew Good. Opening for Walk Off The Earth on extensive tours of the U.S. and Europe, Scott stood alone on stage and, night after night, won over skeptical audiences and began building an international fan base. In 2015, Scott beat out 11 other artists to be the first to win Spotify Canada’s Emerge program and in January 2016, he topped the Teen Vogue list of voices to look out for that year over the likes of Melanie Martinez and Elle King. By the time Scott went back in to the studio to begin work on Hôtel de Ville he had been nominated for a 2015 MuchMusic Video Award and two 2016 Juno Awards and performed to massive national TV audiences on both award shows. “Bungalow” was certified platinum in Canada and he rang in 2017 with a raucous tribute to Leonard Cohen, performing “Bird On A Wire” in Cohen’s hometown of Montreal in front of 50,000 people and broadcast live on CBC TV.
Scott Helman is confirmed to perform at the IHeartRADIO Fest on April 21 at Rebel in Toronto and as a part of the CBC Music Festival on May 27 in Toronto at Echo Beach. More tour dates to be announced shortly.
