11 minute read
Barbara Helen: Animal Rights Music
BARBARA Helen is a singer songwriter with a passion for writing songs about animals and activism. Vegan for near on a decade, Barbara released her 2nd album during Lockdown and is back in the studio this spring to record some more.
Barbara hello! Are you back to live gigs again?
Hello - and yes, still mainly performing online vegan events but so good to start sharing with a live audience again. I performed a set of my songs inspired by vegan living and environmental issues at Shanti, a local vegan bistro, just before Christmas. The feedback was wonderful, people sharing how much they had missed the thrill of live performances. I’m looking forward to performing at the Tyneside Vegan Festival on 14th May. Nothing beats performing live, I love it.
Have the lockdowns been creative periods for you? Or frustrating? Or both?
Lockdown was a mix of highs and lows, as for most people, it was easy to drift into an unmotivated fog. However, they’re still a creative time for me. Animal Rights and Environmental issues are always on my mind, they don’t go away.
I live by the sea and woods, so I’m able to get out for walks daily with Scout, our lovely companion dog, walking is a great stress buster, a time to reflect and process my thoughts and feelings. As I walk I often start developing ideas for songs and am able to jot them down on my phone and work on them later. I recorded my second album during the last lockdown, “One Voice” in our studio at home. My husband Les is the perfectionist sound technician.
The frustration for me was the cut back in street outreach activity and spending time with “vegan family”.
I feel that as vegans, in a non-vegan world, we are constantly in a state of “grief” by being thrust into the grief cycle once you make the connection. I do suffer with depression and can find myself getting extremely down about the state of our world and how we treat non-human animals and each other. So on one level my song writing helps me keep my head above water, by feeling that I’m expressing my feelings in a positive way. Helping to raise awareness of Animal Rights helps me to cope with my feelings.
What new material have you released recently?
I’ve released a single, “One Voice For Regan” and an accompanying video, on YouTube, produced by Shaun Monson in memory of the Save Movement Acitivist, Regan Russell, who was tragically killed whilst bearing witness. Also the 12 track Album, “One Voice” the follow up to my first album, “Vegan Eyes”. All available on Soundcloud and Bandcamp, or on a CD.
I currently have the songs written for my next CD and will start recording this in the Spring. Any new material I like to put up as a live performance on my You- Tube channel. Creating new songs is an ongoing process, there is so much I feel need saying.
Anita Krajnc, founder of the Animal Save Movement, asked me to write a song on the first year memori- al of Regan Russell, hence the song “One Voice for Regan” was written, very much from the heart. Anita and her climate save team launched the amazing Plant Based Treaty and asked me to write a song for the campaign. My song, “Endorse the Plant Based Treaty” is available on Spotify and Bandcamp. Also the song, “Live Kindly, Tread Lightly, Live Vegan” came about due to being asked to compose a song to play at Animal Saves. I’m always happy, honoured and inspired to offer my services and help out with any Animal Rights and environmental organisations.
What’s your views on Veganuary?
Veganuary is brilliant! A great resource of online information, inspiration, recipes and more. The figures speak for themselves, and a lot of people in the UK became vegan or started eating a plant-based diet after undertaking Veganuary 2021. It’s good to see so many plant-based alternatives available in shops. Vegan food is being normalised. It’s great seeing plant milks in chains and independent coffee shops, I remember having to take my own plant milk with me and some chains are stopping the extra charge on plant milk too. For me, being vegan is for the animals, and the positive side effects of being vegan can be better for health and certainly better for the planet aswell.
And all the mainstream plant-based options available? Even KFC these days.
There are many differing opinions from vegans on the plant based options offered by places such as KFC and the Burger joints. Some of these products are endorsed by The Vegan Society. I have considered the arguments for and against. There are many ethical factors to consider, as well as being aware of big companies greenwashing and cashing in on the vegan wave. However, there is change and that’s the most positive aspect of plantbased options in fast food places.
As I said earlier, about being vegan and feeling as though we are in a constant cycle of grief, anger is part of this process, very rightly so. There’s a lot to be angry about - we are surrounded by casual cruelty and apathy, sight, sound and smell, 24/7. I overheard a conversation in a vegan cafe the
other day, the gist of being how they were mainly vegan but sometimes couldn’t resist that bacon or sausage sandwich. I felt my blood pressure rise, then remembered to pick my battles. Had I been drawn into the conversation, I’d have shared my views, that being vegan is all about the animals and justice, not our tastebuds being worth more than a life. Having said this, I know first hand the power of words and how they can wound and hurt, so I try to be mindful of this with any interaction.
It’s not so long ago it seemed outrageous to some that Greggs were selling a vegan sausage roll, laughable even. Personally I don’t frequent fast food places, it’s never been in my sphere as I grew up. If I eat out, I love to frequent independent vegan places. I’m fortunate enough to have the time to cook at home. Having a plant meal at a fast food place could be the start of someone’s vegan journey. Food has so much social, emotional and cultural significance, so any change towards plant-based is a good step forward.
Musicians, performers, festivals, events – we’ve all taken a big hit.
Yes it’s really sad to hear the personal stories of those affected on many levels by the pandemic. The livelihoods of musicians, festival performers, sanctuaries that rely on income from festivals, organisers and stallholders have all been hit really hard. They need our support now more than ever. I feel sad for anyone affected in any detrimental way by the pandemic. Personally, I’m fortunate that Im able to mainly perform and write songs on a voluntary basis, especially if the event raises money for animals and environmental causes, I’d rather any profit went to them. It’s great to see vegan events happening online, like the Global Vegfest and seeing plans for VegfestUK London 2022 in the autumn. Vegan Camp Out in the summer is a wonderful event that’s grown so much and I would love to have the opportunity to perform my songs there.
Can we really get to a vegan world? So many more animals seem to be killed every year across the globe.
I’m in the midst of reading Ed Winters book, “This Is Vegan Propaganda”, the facts and figures he quotes are staggering and hit hard. Each statistic is one individual beings life. I believe we can have a vegan world. It’s the only way we will be able to survive as a species.
So if we don’t choose to end animal agriculture, because we recognise the injustice of what we are doing to non-human animals, then the decision will be made for us as to whether we survive on this planet. I believe that in the future we will look back and be horrified by our treatment of non-human animals and our behaviour. In my lifetime, animal circus’s, performing dolphins and whales, all once seen as legitimate entertainment, are now viewed as shameful.
What motivates you?
When standing up and speaking out for Animal Rights I’m motivated by a sense of what is right and what is wrong. It’s a feeling, a motivation to just “do something”. As an activist it’s all about doing what you can, doing what you feel you’re good at to raise awareness, be it wearing a slogan tee shirt, street outreach, social media posts, or writing a song. I’ve always expressed my feelings in music and songwriting since I first picked up a guitar when I was 14. I’m selftaught and never mastered reading music. So, when I made the connection nine years ago and became vegan, expressing those feelings of, stepping out of the matrix, being vegan in a non-vegan world, feelings of anger, depression, injustice, needed to be expressed and they are in my songs. Artivism, is a gift. My songs come from the heart, for example, I wrote, “ I Saw You” and “Witness” after attending Animal Save vigils. These feelings so needed to be expressed, sharing them offers others who feel the same to feel their emotions are validated.
Post Traumatic Stress can be suffered due to animal rights activism, we are “the glass walls”. We see, hear, smell, and feel things that are the stuff of nightmares and that stays with you in your mind always. I’m driven by wanting to shine my vegan light as brightly as possible, be it in a supermarket by what I’m purchasing, by what I wear, by what I post on social media, by getting out onto the streets with outreach and information on Animal Rights, by the way I live my life and through performing and sharing my songs.
Who has impressed you recently in the vegan arts circles?
I’m loving Ed’s book mentioned before - “This Is Vegan Propaganda”. His way with words offer so many light bulb moments. And I do love what Vegan Sidekick does and follow his vegan comic strip - simple, genius and effective.
What are your favourite animal charities and why?
Sandra Higgins, Go Vegan World. Her poster campaigns are groundbreaking and really hit home. Also the work she and her team do at Eden Sanctuary are so wonderful. I love what Victoria Bryceson and Miracles Mission do to re-home dogs and cats that have limbs missing and paralysis, as well as ongoing catch, neuter and release. Viva!, Juliet Gellatley and her team have undertaken groundbreaking campaigns and exposed the horrors of Factory Farming and Emerging Zoonotic diseases to name just a couple of their recent successes.
Who are some of your favuorite musicians?
I never tire of listening to Joni Mitchell, Martin Taylor, The Eagles, Crowded House, Talking Heads, Neil Young.
Any well known musician who is vegan and promoting vegan ethics is going to reach and influence a huge amount of people, such as Billie Eilish and Moby, so all vegan musicians are my fave. Vegan Queen V is recording her amazing songs to an album at the moment. I look forward to hearing that. Mobius Loop are inspiring musicians, songwriters and beautiful people who really walk the walk. Anyone who has the courage to bare their soul and express and shares their feelings artistically.
And finally I have to ask – what’s your favourite vegan meal?!
I love a Buddha Bowl! The more of a mix of fruit and veg together, and tangy dressings, the better.
Check out Barbara’s music:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVzVqc4LnB2loAPi1kkeFVA/videos
https://soundcloud.com/barbara-helen
https://barbarahelen1.bandcamp.com/
Barbara's second album 'One Voice' - Check it out now!
