Helle Rasmussen

So Helle, let’s start from the beginning. Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood? 

When I was a small child, my family moved around a couple of times due to my father's job. When I was around six years of age, we came to this area – Copenhagen, a suburb of Copenhagen. And, I've always been very fond of music, performing, and dancing.

What first sparked your interest in jazz music?

At a young age, I just loved performing in front of my family. Actually, I had a big dream of becoming an opera singer, but I didn't really get to that part! I was listening to a lot of different music, a lot of Danish music as well. And, when I was around 18 or 20-years-old, I started listening to jazz and that just captured me.
It was when I had moved into my first apartment, you know, moving out of the house as young people do. It actually happened that I came across a movie, “Lady Sings the Blues” with Diana Ross in the lead.
Before that, I had never, ever heard of Billie Holiday. And I saw that movie and I just was so taken by it. Then I started buying her records and listening to them pretty much day in and day out, singing along and just really got into it!

What was it specifically about Billie Holiday versus some of the other jazz greats? 

I felt her somehow. I felt her spirit. I felt her pain. I felt all the emotions that she expresses when she sings. And, it just appealed to me somehow. I've always been a little different than other people my own age. Growing up, I was a little bit of a loner. Still am. But I'm just a little bit different. So, I like things that has depth to it. And it just spoke to me.

With respect, you have started your singing career late in life, talk about this and what inspired you to finally go for it?

Well, I tried to get my foot inside the business, so to speak, and made a demo album in 2000, I believe it was. I got some good feedback from different record companies. But other than that, not much came out of it. And then in the meantime, I got married and had a son. And, just as many other people, the marriage didn't work out, we got divorced, and I found myself being a single parent with a small child. This had to be all of my focus for many years because motherhood was very important to me, and being a good mother was very important to me.
So, I had to put all my focus there and be there for my son, support us, earn money and all those basic things that we needed. So that was why I got a late start. But, the dream of singing and making music and performing never really left me. I kept thinking in the back of my head that one day, hopefully, I will get the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a performing artist. Therefore, I decided that it's now or never, and you're never too old to pursue your dream. And that's what I decided to do.

How tough was that for you? I know that was a wonderful experience raising your son to be the man he is today, but how difficult was it to defer that singing dream for all those years?

Well, I had to. I had to put that dream way high on the shelf, so to speak, because there wasn’t any choice. I had to take care of my son and that was pretty much what my life was about. But I just kept thinking in the back of my head that one day hopefully I will get the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a performing artist.

How long has it been since you restarted your music career?

Six or seven years or so where I was really trying to get serious about it and performing on a more regular basis.

Tell me about a performance, an event where you were performing and after you finished or perhaps while you were singing, it hit you that yes, this is what I’ve been wanting to do all those years! Was there ever a moment like that?

Yes, all the time. Pretty much every time I perform. When I'm in front of an audience, preferably where people are actually sitting down and paying attention and listening, instead of me being just background, I have those experiences. I am filled with happiness and gratitude because I feel that this is my right element and this is what I should be doing, and people appreciate me from all the feedback that I get.

Is there a performance that stands out in your mind as a favorite?

Well, we just did a concert in March that was absolutely wonderful. We had so much positive feedback from the audience and everything was just on a higher level -- the venue, the guests, the sound system. And, I just felt like I want more of this, more of those experiences.
When I'm in front of an audience...I am filled with happiness and gratitude because I feel that this is my right element and this is what I should be doing

I was reading a review of one of your performances and the writer mentioned how you put your unique spin on songs, on these classics. Tell me a little about that process.

Well, I guess I just have my own singing style, if you could call it like that. In general, I like songs that are medium to slow tempo, because that's how I feel that I can really interpret the song and get the right take on it, how I want to perform it, and if it fits my voice. And then I have very broad taste when it comes to music. I don't only listen to jazz. I also listen to soul music. I listen to funk, and even hip hop sometimes. But I like to take little pieces of the soul or the funk and put it into the jazz sometimes. That's just kind of my thing because I feel that it is portraying who I am inside.

Got it. Because when I first heard you perform Bobby Hebb’s “Sunny” it took me by surprise a bit. I really enjoyed, but was curious how did she come around to this particular song?

Well, I heard another artist doing it, but that was a different rendition than what I'm doing. As I said earlier, I listen to other artists a lot and I get inspired. I feel, hey, I love the way they did it but let me see how I can do it. Then I talk to my musicians about it. I usually have an idea already in my head but they sometimes throw in their ideas, we talk and rehearse the song, so it comes down to that. Sometimes I'm not completely happy with it so we play around with it and see how can we do it a little bit differently and just keep working until we get to the point where I feel…that's it!

Do you ever sit and look at the recording of a rehearsal or performance and self-evaluate? Would you say that you’re critical of yourself?

I am. I am critical of myself when it comes to my voice. I always record rehearsals and then I go home and listen to them afterwards. That way I can refine how I want my voice, my expression to be on that
particular song. But yes, I am critical of myself. I think most artists are because you want to do your very best.

That said, it seems your performances come across quite free-flowing and naturally.

Yes, they do kind of happen naturally with me. When I perform, I'm very spontaneous. We may have rehearsed a song in a certain way, but that doesn't stop me from sometimes switching it up a little. I like to be in the moment and go with whatever comes to my mind. Thank God I have very talented musicians to back me up when this happens!

Give me an idea of some of the compliments you get from guests after a performance?

My voice. They love my voice. They say it's very soft and sensual and soothing. And secondly, they also commend me for my stage presence because when I perform, I very much like to be in contact with my audience. It's not about getting on stage and just standing there behind a mic and being in your own world. No, I like to connect with people. I even like to go out in between the audience and look at them and smile at them or sometimes even touch their shoulder or something like that. I like to connect with them and they like that. So, that's what I usually hear. And then of course they also commend all of us -- me together with band, the sound that we produce and the energy and so on.

You seem to be pretty composed and in control, do you ever get nervous?

On occasion, right when I come onto the stage. But that usually passes away after a minute or two when we start performing and when I start singing. I would say most of the time I'm not nervous, no. But if it's a really big gig that is very important -- all gigs are important -- but you know what I mean, some gigs are bigger than others, then I can get a little nervous up until I start performing. That's usually how it rolls.

Another thing that is very apparent from your performances, from your website, and everything that I know about you is your fashion and style. Please, please tell me a little bit about this. What does fashion and style mean to you and how does it play a part of your preparation for a particular performance?

Well, usually when I have a performance, I'm way ahead of time thinking what am I going to wear? I try on some dresses. I buy a lot of them. Actually, I buy dresses from the States because I like that I can get different styles of dresses that I can't get here in Denmark.
I'm very aware of my body type and the way I present myself the best. So, I buy dresses that fit me well and bring out the best in me. I have a certain image and I'm very meticulous about the way I present myself. I put effort into it. That being makeup, hair, jewelry and accessories, clothing. I feel that when you as an audience come and watch a show, there has to
be something for all of your senses, not just the ears. There has to be something for your eyes that contributes to the overall atmosphere.
I think for me it's a whole package deal. You don't just come and hear me sing and hear the band play, you also come to be entertained and what's not to like than to look at someone who is attractive and has made an effort. That's what I always keep in mind. I've always been like that, it’s just part of who I am.

Tell me about some of the challenges of trying to make a go at this career and on a serious level.

Well, at this point, I still have to work to make a living. Performing is not supporting me financially yet, so obviously that’s a challenge. You work every day, you get tired, but you have to find the energy to keep pushing. And that could be sometimes challenging to remind yourself to go that extra mile and just keep pushing a little bit more to achieve my desired wishes.

Let’s talk about those desired wishes.

Well, I would love to be performing every single weekend, every Friday and Saturday if I could. And I'm saying weekend because, like I said, I'm still working full-time during the week to support myself. But I would definitely love to perform much more and also record albums and put them out there, which is a big dream of mine.

Are you available outside of the Copenhagen area?

Yes, of course. If people want to book us outside of Copenhagen, we're available. Definitely.

Is there a particular city that you would like to perform in?

I think there are many but I would like to go to Stockholm sometime. I like Sweden and I like Swedes in general. They're very nice people and very open and generous people. So that is on my bucket list definitely. What else? I mean obviously London or even France would be nice. Europe in general, I'd love to perform.

You mentioned earlier about being drawn to songs with emotion and the passion; songs that are more geared towards your style, your vibe. Have you ever considered venturing off into a little bit more blues?

Oh yes! (laughing) I love blues and actually I normally have one or two blues songs on my records. I really love telling a story which I feel you can do with the blues. I like to put a little extra exaggeration into it. Like I like to do a little performance when I'm singing the blues for example, so that people really can feel it, you know. That's what I do and so therefore definitely singing the blues is something that I really, really enjoy.

Sometimes we come to conclusions or assumptions about a performer when we see them on stage. Obviously, you're beautiful, you have strong vocals, a powerful stage presence, but is there something that you think people would be surprised to know about you?

Yeah, I think most people would be surprised to know that I'm actually an introvert. Because when I perform, when I'm on stage, I'm very outgoing, very present and very much in the moment. I love the interaction with the audience. However, privately, I'm a different person. I wouldn't call myself shy, but I'm more comfortable being in small groups of people. So, I think that's probably one of the biggest surprises to people.
I do get that question on occasion and when people find out I'm an introvert, they're like, how can you be an introvert and then be performing? That doesn't make sense to them, but that's not how it works. As a matter of fact, a lot of great artists are introverts.

Tell us about your next performance. You mentioned before we started that you have one performance coming up. What can you share with us?

Yes, well it's during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. We have a performance. I would almost say in my usual spot. There's a venue that I've performed at many, many times -- Tango y Vino. It's a wine bar, a restaurant with live music.
I’m very well-known there and the audience knows me so I'm actually very fortunate that when people see my name through promotions, they come out. So, we have a performance there on the 6th of July at 6:00PM. That's in the inner city, close to Nyhavn.

And the food?

The food is actually excellent. They have very good steaks -- Argentinian steaks, and they have a nice wine selection also, so if you like that, this is a place you should visit sometimes!

When you're not making music or rehearsing, what is it that you like to do in your free time? What are you doing out there in Copenhagen?

I usually go to the gym and train. I've gotten a little lazy lately, but usually I'm very dedicated to my training. I have a beautiful grandchild. He's going to turn two in August. I really enjoy being his grandmother and have that new role in my life to play -- we are really bonding. So, I spend time with my grandchild and of course also my son and daughter-in -law. Otherwise, I like to go out for dinner. I love to go out and hear other artists perform, I love that. So, music in general always gets me excited.

Um, I want to go back to something you said earlier. Did I hear you correctly that you listen to a little hip hop? 

Yes, but it’s the old school hip hop that I like to listen to, like Biggie or Tupac or something like that. On occasion I listen to that, particularly if I'm going to the gym. It just gives me that power to lift weights. Sometimes I just like to hear it. So yeah, I'm serious, although I will not be performing that type of music myself; I don't have that talent for rapping.

So, we shouldn’t expect you to perform any rap songs anytime soon?

(Laughing) No, that's not going to happen. But I do have very broad tastes in music. I also love to listen to opera because I just love the beauty of it, the way it makes me feel. I could very easily narrow down the types of music that I do not like to listen to and it would be rock music, death metal and that kind of thing, and also pop music to a certain extent I think it's very tedious, it doesn't really appeal to me. But other than that, jazz, blues, funk, soul, R&B, opera, and yeah, hip -hop.

Just wrapping up with one or two more questions. You’ve had, at least from my perspective, an interesting life. When you're looking back over it today, what if anything would you change? I know that you’re still writing your story as we speak, but what advice would you give your younger self, particularly with respect to music and performing?

Yes, my younger self, I would have definitely told myself don't think so much, just do it. Don't limit yourself thinking that you're not good enough or you can't do this or it's too difficult, just do it. Don't waste any time because life is short and time is ticking away, and then all of a sudden, you find that most of your life has passed by without trying to fulfill your dreams. This could end up with bitterness and regret.

Lastly, let’s now look forward. If you could wave a magic wand, how do you see your career in the next five or ten years?

 If I could wave a magic wand, music would be the biggest part of my life. I would have regular performances. I would record and publish albums. I would collaborate with different artists and musicians. That's a big dream, but I just want to leave an imprint in the jazz world. I am truly expressing myself as a human being and as an artist through music, so I would love to have people recognize me as a well-established performer.
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