Hailing from the industrial city of Aberdeen where musical outlets were hard to come by, Heff VanSaint has received a musical education in the creative spaces in and around East London.
She has worked with Irish producer Paddy Hunt, who’s syncs include Nissan, Carphone Warehouse and Sky.
After cutting her teeth in various musical ensembles throughout the 2010s, VanSaint’s new solo material is a more mature and authentic representation of who she is as an artist.
Her sound is ripe for the times and reminiscent of artists including Arlo Parks, Phoebe Bridger and King Princess.
‘Early 2010s’ is Heff’s second track of many set to be released in the coming months, and with a growing online following, she is an artist on the rise. 2021 is set to be a year to remember for this innovative songwriter.
When did you start writing songs?
I’ve always been writing my own songs, since I was a young teen. I formed my first band in my early 20s and later was part of a duo which taught me a lot about the industry and how to really get yourself out there. I guess in all honesty I just got into it through my own love of songs and song writing. I wasn’t influenced by anyone around me at that time; I just followed where my heart was at.
What do you enjoy the most about making music?
I love when a really evocative line just blends with the melody perfectly. When I’ve managed to sum up what I want to say succinctly and it fits a good vocal hook, there’s nothing better.
Who are your all time musical icons?
I’ve always loved artists that are objectively odd or eccentric in some way, but get up on stage and shake their ass despite it all. I like seeing the weird kids and the oddballs pursue what they love despite the fact that the odds are set against them.
They’re battling a lot more internal loathing or self consciousness than your average straight white boy. I like Prince, Syd the kid, perfume genius. Really into Arlo Parks at the moment as well.
Do you start writing from lyrics or music?
I always come up with the lyrics first. Then I usually sit with the guitar or keys and come
Up with melodies and chords I can put the words to. I use ableton to make the beats and then head to the studio to flesh the whole thing out.
What inspires you these days?
At the moment it’s nostalgia. After a year of lockdown it’s so hard to find inspiration when you’re not having new, energising experiences. So I’ve just been looking back at various things that have happened over the last ten years.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
The bad boys that used to graffiti the swings in the park when I was a kid!
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about?
So the song is called Early 2010s. It’s about those halcyon days when you’re just partying all the time and the people you meet and fall in love with along the way.It’s kinda about looking back and being like why is there nothing left from that time, where did all the good times go etc.It was the first song I wrote over lockdown when I was on a major nostalgia buzz, sitting in my flat on my own for like 4 months straight.
What’s the future looking like for you?
Ha! Who knows. Hopefully the new songs are received well and it brings positive people and experiences into my life.
