Releases as lead artist/co-collaborator:
The Odd River
The Odd River is Finnish-born Melbourne-based bassist vocalist composer Helen Svoboda’s surreal musical evocation of the collision of organic and inorganic, of the natural and unnatural.
Her driving inspiration is her environment, she is struck by the weirdness of what we have done to natural world - and happily admits to being obsessed with finding uncustomary sounds, and ways of playing her instrument.
The Odd River weaves moments of startling beauty, childlike playfulness and dense chaos. Featuring a large ensemble of Australia’s most intriguing improvisers/performers, the album cycles through a rapidly changing landscape, seasoned by the eclectic instrumentation of double bass, voice, prepared piano, harmonium, zither, trombone, piccolo trumpet, woodwinds, percussion and virtuosic whistling.Released January 29th 2021
I Heard the Clouds
// An album of fleeting moments.
Helen’s third solo album, I Heard the Clouds explores miniature song structures across a series of focused vignettes, each one highlighting her virtuosic solo practice which seamlessly embodies and combines extended technique, scordatura and voice as one.
I Heard the Clouds sonifies a day of fleeting weather, transient and steadfast in its unpredictable passage from morning to night.
Released on MADE NOW MUSIC, Nov 13 2022
dormant, I lay.
Helen’s sophomore solo album, dormant, I lay. is a compilation of multi-tracked double bass recordings, all captured on a ZOOM H4 in a tiny Dutch apartment amidst the peak of European lockdown numero uno (April 2020).
The music depicts the apathy and uncertainty felt amidst an unprecedented era in our shared timeline of life; yet, a peacefulness remains in the belief that this chapter is temporary... a period of learning and appreciation of things we never previously appreciated.
Released January 29th 2021
Vegetable Bass
Vegetable Bass is the creative output of Helen’s time abroad living in the Netherlands from 2018-20, eloquently highlighting her unique vision with which she views the world. Hailing her favourite food group, the music pays tribute to Mother Nature and its culinary offerings - expressed vastly through sound.
On her debut solo album, Helen showcases a newfound passion for the intricate combination of the overtone series and the human voice.
Released on MADE NOW MUSIC, June 29th 2020
Since Subito (MEATSHELL)
Since Subito is the long-awaited sophomore album of MEATSHELL - the experimental-folk duo comprising the distinctive musical voices of two emerging Australian artists, Helen Svoboda (double bass/voice) and Andrew Saragossi (tenor saxophone).
Recorded in the Netherlands, this body of music is the culmination of the duo's experiences living in Europe between 2018-20. A musical manifestation of their interpretation of the concepts and principles underpinning the cubist art movement, the album has a particular focus on juxtaposition and simultaneous revealing of various, sometimes clashing perspectives of one idea.
Released on EARSHIFT MUSIC, March 26th 2021
Vol. 2 (The Biology of Plants)
Vol. 2 is an immersive release that balances lush compositions with understated technicality and astounding textural detail.
”Coming off the back of their win for Best Jazz Song at the Queensland Music Awards, Vol 2. is more than a rare and impressive addition to a promising catalogue from The Biology of Plants. This unexpected harmony between proficiency and emotion, delivered through cunning instrumentation, Vol 2 offers a new high-point for Australian instrumental music.”
Released on ART AS CATHARSIS, June 14th 2019
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