Helen Blondel is a multilingual American singer-songwriter. She fuses her passion for world cultures, leading to an eclectic mix of Pop, Rock, R&B, and International sounds. Helen appeared on shows like American Idol and ABC Holiday Specials.
With “CAFÉ” out now, we took some time to hear from Helen Blondel. Read below to learn more about Helen Blondel, the story behind “CAFÉ,” and what’s to come.
Hi Helen Blondel! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
My artist name is actually just my real name. I’ve thought about coming up with an artist name, but my identity as a singer and writer is one with who I am, so I decided to keep it that way.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in Manhattan, NY, but moved to central FL when I was a kid. I grew up in the Kissimmee/Orlando area, and I’m based in Orlando. However, I find myself doing more and more Miami and Ft. Lauderdale shows lately.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I knew that I wanted to be a singer ever since I was 8 years old and participated in my first talent show. I started my career as a vocalist in early childhood, participating in choir, band, and musical theatre. I continued my professional work as a singer in college, doing corporate events, sporting events, and school of music choir concerts. I released my first self-written single in 2020, and have been a recording artist ever since.
How has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound?
My upbringing has such an influence on shaping the kind of artist I am today, for many reasons. Although I was born in the US, my mom is Brazilian and my dad was Panamanian. Growing up in a multicultural and multilingual household, I’ve learned to infuse aspects of this in my music. This is especially evident in my latest release, “CAFÉ,” which blends Afro-Cuban rhythms, while the lyrics are in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My sound in one word: Versatile. I listen to and appreciate ALL genres of music, from Classical to Jazz to Latin to Pop to World Music to Heavy Metal and everything in-between. This translates to the type of music I write, as well. I write what and how I feel, so if I’m feeling like writing a metalcore song, I do. If I feel like writing a romantic Latin Pop song, I will. Being an artist is not about confining yourself within a box, but rather, understanding yourself so much that you can navigate any genre and still have your identity.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
One of my favorite personal hobbies is reading. So much of my career is public-facing and sharing my art, so I really appreciate the times when I can sit down, unwind, and open up a good book while sipping on my coffee or tea of choice. You can learn so much from reading and the amount of ideas you can be inspired by through other authors is infinite.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I have hundreds of musical influences, but some of them include Whitney Houston, Faouzia, Sleep Theory, Chris Grey, Mariah Carey, and Marilia Mendonca.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
I feel blessed to have had some pretty monumental moments in my music career. Among them, the top two definitely include being accepted into the Recording Academy as a Voting member, and having the opportunity to sing the National Anthem for a FIFA National Fútbol Game. I definitely look forward to doing that again soon, as the experience is surreal.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
The greatest lesson I’ve learned so far as a music artist is that consistency is key, come rain or shine and regardless of the circumstances. I talk about that in my book, The 8 Keys. The difference between successful people and the rest, is that when faced with hardships, most people find excuses, while successful people find solutions. No money? Find a way. You don’t feel like it? It’s gotta get done and if you’re not gonna do it no one else is coming to save you. It’s a test of how bad you want it and how dedicated you are. Sometimes it even gets lonely because you’ll often have to turn down fun plans with friends because you have practice or work. However, it’s all worth it in the end.
Now onto your release, “CAFÉ.” What inspired this song? What is “CAFÉ” about?
“CAFÉ” is a vibrant, trilingual track that brings together the upbeat pulse of Cuban reparto with a fresh blend of Portuguese, Spanish, and English. This lighthearted love song is filled with coffee & dessert-themed metaphors. With melodic hooks, bilingual call-and-response moments, and a bright, rhythmic approach, “CAFÉ” celebrates cultural fusion and the joy of lively, global music. It’s an upbeat, colorful track that showcases my versatility and love for connecting different sounds into one cohesive, high-energy experience.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “CAFÉ?”
My current cover artwork is inspired partly by the bubbly feel of the song, as well as my love for coffee.
What was the creative process like when making “CAFÉ?”
Sometimes writing music can be a difficult process when you’re looking outward for musical inspiration. Writing “CAFÉ,” however, was different, because I was inspired and the lyrics and theme just came to me naturally. Writing the song was a breeze. However, the recording process after took a while, because I am a perfectionist when it comes to the work I put out there.
How long did it take to complete “CAFÉ?”
The whole process, including writing, recording, and the finishing touches, took about two months.
What is your favorite lyric in “CAFÉ” and why?
That’s a difficult question, haha. I love every lyric in my song and believe they all have significance. However, if I had to pick one, it would be “Forte como cafeina, doce como mel,” which translates to “Strong like caffeine, sweet like honey.” I enjoy this line because it symbolizes the polarity in a person: You can see strength and sweetness in someone at the same time and that’s beautiful.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from “CAFÉ” and your music in general?
“CAFÉ” has a special place in my heart as it was so fun and natural writing it. I hope listers enjoy it and think of that special someone who reminds them of that refreshing cup of coffee in the morning. The rhythm was made for dancing and the vibes were made for celebration!
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I have a few upcoming projects that I’m super excited for, so I can’t wait to announce them. As for shows, I have shows in Orlando on Feb 2nd and Feb 8th, as well as an appearance in Miami later on in February. You can visit my Instagram page for exact location details and ticket info!
Where can we follow you on social media?
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1k8mZjrDBT3ZhLX7hZiWKD
IG: https://instagram.com/helensingerdancer
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@helensingerdancer
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@helensingerdancer
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
