If you missed our introductory interview with Helen McCreary, find that gem here.

McCreary, a wandering minstrel archaeologist, was raised in beautiful upstate New York, served as a backpacking instructor in Wyoming, and archaeology has taken her to Mali, Turkey, Mongolia, and the topic of her new EP – Kaikoura.

Now, based in NYC, Helen is focused on her role as a singer and songwriter. Her Kaikoura EP is a delight to my ears.

About the EP title and lead track, Helen says,

‘Kaikoura‘ is named after a town on the coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It is one of my favorite places in the world, and it is the setting for many of my happiest memories. Music has a way of transporting you to another time and place, and whenever I play Kaikoura, I feel like I am once again on the pebble beach, looking out across the water at the mountains in the distance. I hope you all can join me there :)”

Helen succeeds in her mission. Upon strumming the first note, you are taken to a place McCreary holds near and dear.

Her fingers dance across the guitar painting images of peacefulness. Gentle drums rock with the waves. Melodies skip across the water causing hypnotic ripples. You feel light. You feel free. Welcome to Kaikoura.

Backed by ace studio engineer and musician, Helen teamed up with Alessio Romano at Studio 42 in Brooklyn. Romano handled engineering, mixing, and mastering on this record as well as percussion and accordion. All music and lyrics are Helen McCreary originals.

A very unique and interesting note about the closing track “As the Bark to a Tree”,

The second half of the lyrics for As the Bark to a Tree are from a letter by American Civil War soldier Amos Humiston, writing to his wife in 1863, just months before he died in the battle of Gettysburg.”

I was an instant fan. If you’re attracted to singer/songwriters or very organic, relaxing indie folk; Kaikoura is for you.

Show Helen your support. You can connect with her on Twitter, FB or IG.