Helen Svoboda is a Finnish/Australian award-winning double bassist, vocalist and composer. “A musician who absolutely defies categorisation” (Andrew Ford – The Music Show, ABC), her work explores the melodic potential of the double bass, weaving extended techniques and overtones with vocal tessitura to explore themes of sonic unity amidst abstract song-writing forms.
Svoboda lived and studied in the Netherlands and Germany between the years of 2018-20, specializing in soloistic double bass composition. She recently undertook a three month solo residency at the Helsinki International Artist Programme on Suomenlinna (FIN), supported by the Creative Australia, and is currently studying a PhD in composition and performance at Monash University. She is an active performer and collaborator both locally and internationally, and her main projects include Headwater (recently premiered at the Melbourne Fringe Festival/supported by Musica Viva Australia, and featuring Finnish vocalist Selma Savolainen, double bassist Jacques Emery and sound designer Tilman Robinson); The Odd River (30 minute visual album about genetically modified vegetables); MEATSHELL (experimental-pop duo with saxophonist Andrew Saragossi), and Panghalina (experimental trio with drummers Maria Moles and Bonnie Stewart – released on Room40).
Accolades include: 2023-24 Musica Viva Australia FutureMaker; 2023 MOMENTUM Commissions (Australian Music Centre); 2020 Freedman Jazz Fellowship (winner); 2020/21 Australian Art Orchestra Pathfinder Associate Artist; Helsinki International Artist Programme 2023 (recipient – supported by Creative Australia). Helen is produced by Michaela Coventry / Sage Arts.
Photo credit – Documentation Archive