Singer Songwriter | Recording Artist | Mother | Sister | Animal Lover

Welcome to my website.....

Thanks for stopping by!

As a songwriter, you’d think I’d be all over the idea of writing a little something about who I am and what I am all about. Truth is, although I love to write from the heart, when it comes to talking about myself…… oh, how I stumble!

What I do know is that I started performing & writing songs quite late in life (in my early 40’s). I had always loved music, dancing and had been journalling my heart out, since the early 90’s, when I packed my backpack & joined the thousands of other travelling free spirits on a (3 year) journey to figure out who I was, and what I wanted from life. Turns out fate had it all sorted for me, and soon enough I was a Mum to my crazy wonderful little human, who taught me to stop running away from challenges & stand tall in the knowing of what I wanted & needed from life. The little bit of guitar playing & singing that I had learnt in my travels rendered useful for renditions of Wiggles songs to entertain my son and his friends & every now & then I’d get the courage to play a few of these in front strangers!

However, it wasn’t until I was in my late 30’s when I realised the overwhelming fear of failure had crippled me from doing ANYTHING in the way of public performance. So, I made a pact to myself to never let FEAR stop me from doing something that I really wanted to do, and some years after I had my gorgeous daughter, I began working toward overcoming the crippling anxiety I felt from merely even speaking in front of a group of people…. let alone on a stage to thousands.

Roll the clock forward over a decade, and now working on a 4th release, I look back on the doubt, the tears, the fears of sharing my first songs to friends & being asked “Why not?” when I said, “I can’t make a record!”. It turns out, all I needed was to be surrounded by uplifting, supportive, generous & talented people who live for music, self-expression & creation the way that I do, to help me overcome some of the self-beliefs that were getting in my way.

So, now…. am I afraid of failure?

No way, because I know it doesn’t exist. There is no failure – only lessons.

I write, create & perform because it fuels my soul. It’s taught me to be honest, open, and real, and in doing so has brought connections all over the world like no other, with other performers, musicians, crew, people that come to my shows & those that share their vulnerability by letting me know how my story has just helped them! It’s given me an understanding that life is a constant challenge & we are forever morphing with the times, and to never say NO to ANYTHING that you want to do because of fear. Aside from my kids, music has been my biggest achievement & thrill in my life so far….

Are you keen to join me for the fun times ahead?

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TOUR DATES

a bit about my music

Helen Townsend may have been late in picking up the tools of her trade but in a short time she has shown herself to be a master craftsman in a field too often crowded with cowboy-booted jacks and jills of all trades. Her sweet voice and tender picking rubs against songs that are filled with characters living with the costly results of impulsive choices and memories that just won't let go. Her music takes you on a journey through beautiful valleys, coastal plains and soaring over mountains with a few deep, dark tunnels to keep you grounded.

Helen has carved out a reputation for edgy Americana music, pushing the genre’s boundaries from roots-rock, through country-blues to folk. With her 2023 forthcoming album, she has broadened her style and flair, even more so, with catchy new melodies, tight harmonies and personal stories, lyrics that hook into your heart and tear up your soul. It builds from her previous 2 EP’s and her debut album, which scored her multiple awards and nominations including winner of WA Country Music Award for Best Emerging Artist and Song of the year.

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MUSIC

Love Lies 'n' Leaving

Helen Townsend

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Take a pinch of Patsy Cline, add a dash of James Taylor and a generous dollop of Lucinda Williams and you have Helen Townsend and Shannon Smith Duo. Reminiscent of Welch/Rawlings and Harris/Crowell these two capture your imagination and heart.

Multi-Award WAM nominee and Winner of 2020 WA Country Music Emerging Artist and Single of the Year,

Take a pinch of Patsy Cline, add a dash of James Taylor and a generous dollop of Lucinda Williams and you have Helen Townsend and Shannon Smith Duo. Reminiscent of Welch/Rawlings and Harris/Crowell these two capture your imagination and heart.

Multi-Award WAM nominee and Winner of 2020 WA Country Music Emerging Artist and Single of the Year, Helen’s music is soulful, edgy, her story telling is transfixing.

This compact version of the Helen Townsend & The Wayward Hearts band, the duo engages and entertains the audience with their stories, anecdotes and off the cuff wit, and then woo them with strong original songs and tight weaving harmonies. The music is soulful, edgy and embraces Americana roots. Helens voice is unique, timeless and her stage presence captivating, whilst Shannon’s rich harmonies, onstage presence and guitar work complete the duo.