In Conversation With #257 - Heff VanSaint
Aberdeen-born, London-based singer-songwriter Heff VanSaint has just released her debut EP ‘Odes Of Hope For Sad Bois’.
Produced by Raff (Callum Rafferty), Heff’s new EP showcases her prowess as a gifted songwriter and storyteller. Combining elements of pop, electronic and indie with 80s influences, Heff’s music traverses the space in-between frank honesty and hopeful optimism. As a masculine presenting female, she is interested in exploring environments that challenge fixed definitions, exploring the inherent messiness of being human.
She took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Heff VanSaint - how are you? So your EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hello! I’m good thanks. Yeah it feels great! All the feedback so far has been really positive so it just feels so good to know that finally people are hearing it and that it’s out there on peoples phones and devices coming through their airpods, while they’re on their morning commute or in the gym, out and about and wherever.
It is called ‘Odes Of Hope For Sad Bois’ - what is the meaning behind that?
I guess like an ode of hope in my mind is a song that comforts and or inspires. It offers consolation and like a “keep your head up” pat on the back. And then a boi is like a masculine of centre person of any gender. It’s a queer term. So a sad boi is someone who’s always a little melancholy.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
So, I recorded it in West Malling, Kent with a producer called Callum Rafferty aka Raff. It all went pretty smoothly to be honest haha. I had a very clear idea in my head of how I wanted each track to sound. I rocked up with demos that had the bones of the songs all worked out and then we just discussed the sort of additional elements that would really bring the tracks to life. It takes me a while to warm up my voice so I remember being outside in a field singing Ave Maria at some livestock to get going.
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
The overarching theme of the EP is struggling to keep your head above water and live a good life in these current times. It’s about being skint in the cost of living crisis and feeling like you're constantly swimming up stream. Theres a track about lost love, with a much older partner back in the day and another song that’s about east London trust fund babies and how desperate some of these people can be when they’re trying to convince you they’re something that they’re not. I think in terms of influences Roxy Music and the atmospheric whimsical style of their songwriting is in there, along with Declan McKenna, The National and The 1975 both of which I was listening to a lot of at the time.
If the EP could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Ha! Good question. I think maybe something with a queer protagonist. Hmmm maybe Blue Jean?
Do you have a favourite lyric on the EP - if so, which one and why?
“In the backroom of a basement bar reading palms, slurring sycophantic lines at your latest fans.”
Now the EP is out there - what next?
A lot of gigging. I’m going to be playing a lot round London, so keep an eye out on my socials for the deets.
