Who is Hekla Goodman?
Hekla Goodman, born to an Icelandic mum, then grew up in California, studied in Sweden, reached no. 1 in Switzerland with her band Khasma and now resides in the North East of the UK. She is a stunning songwriter who consistently writes with true integrity. I like to think of her as the “cake songwriter and worship song composer”. Who else could claim that title?!
Where did Hekla’s journey begin?
Hekla discusses her church origins in which she played guitar and sang. She describes this origin in music as her “roots”. Her parents interest in Fleetwood Mac and others fused with this to lead to who she is today. Her vocal inflexions include a country twang.
Hekla was largely self-taught. As a teenager, her Dad’s friend, then on an international tour, really inspired Hekla to take her music more seriously. Initially, youtube tutorials allowed her to begin her journey. Hekla’s vocal have come to her quite naturally.
Vocal Elaborations, the Piped Icing Melodic Embellishments
Hekla frequently uses pentatonic licks in her style. John Maher was a big influence on her as she grew up. She feels that pentatonic elaborations come naturally to people and that listeners easily connect with them.
Senses in connection with Music and Song Writing, the Cake Songwriter
Synthesia is the topic of much research today, the idea that music can create colour. Hekla comes from this from another angle. She ties in cake making and other visual imagery with her work. She talks about how all celebrations seem to have some form of cake involved.
Within her lyrics she talks about gluing heartbreaks together. She talks about how we carry baggage with us from other relationships and that sometimes we need to unwrap the plastic (“throw off the plastic” being a lyric from Ruin Heartbreak).
Tightrope relates to the idea of slack walking when there’s someone standing alongside you as you go through tough times.
Under My Skin is another visual connection within Hekla’s lyrics. She describes something as being under your skin is often a negative thing, but the flip side is when you can’t get someone out of your mind and you feel a real part of them. “I can’t get you out of my
head … I’d spend my whole life making you happy if you just let me in”. Under my skin could easily have been a quality buttercream filling!
Moving from Band to Solo Artist (less of a full meal, more of a sweet treat)
Hekla’s band in Switzerland, Khasma, reached no. 1. As a solo artist, she discusses how much more vulnerable you become. She feels that she can connect more with her songs and that no one else can truly sing them because they are her life. Ultimately, Hekla is a story-teller. She discusses how co-writing didn’t allow her to connect as much with the lyrics. Metaphors are a strong part of her writing and how she finds a unique spin on the common love and heartbreak topics.
From the Past to Future EPs
Time to add icing to the wedding cake layers that have already been established (oh yeah, and she got married just before Christmas!). Hekla is currently working on her 4th EP. Currently she’s releasing her 2nd EP this summer with the full EP, “Forward” coming out in August. Her 3rd EP is a Gospel EP, returning to her teenage years, origins and personal connections/inspirations. Hekla discusses how this album doesn’t bring problems, but helps bring solutions and is connected to how she feels spiritually. Her gospel and worship song origins are still very much at the core of her soul. “Forward” is moving on from “All I should have Said”. The next EP will be more nurturing, observations of people who are close to Hekla and how she says herself in their lives. Beyond that, as maturity seems to evolve, Hekla can feel her writing becoming even more philosophical and perceptive! She predicts that her 4th EP will be very “sing alongable” and more acoustic, with more vulnerability. Hekla is trying to balance intimacy with entertainment and honesty.
Where to find Hekla
The Interviewer, The Maestro Online
The interviewer, Robin Harrison, founded https://www.the-maestro-online.com which includes stunning masterclass courses by international global level artists and Ofqual and EU accredited Pop Piano exams, session musician style, that earn the learner UCAS points as they move towards University.
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