Helang's resilient journey through electronic music's male-dominated landscape has shaped her into a formidable artist who creates on her own terms. With her new Flashback EP landing on the inclusive HE.SHE.THEY. Records during Women's History Month, she continues to channel her rebellious energy into hypnotic, emotional techno that resonates with authenticity. Following standout performances at prestigious venues like E1 and Echostage and sharing stages with titans like Amelie Lens and Nicole Moudaber, HELANG is rapidly establishing herself as an artist unafraid to push boundaries while staying true to her vision.
Your Flashback EP is releasing during Women's History Month. How does the timing resonate with your experiences as a female artist in electronic music?
Being a female artist in electronic music is a bold, empowering, and special feeling for me. I love going against the grain, especially if it means being able to do the same things that men are doing, getting on their level, and essentially saying: "hey, yes I can do this too." I think it's important to always celebrate women and their divine capabilities, but I love how we have an entire month dedicated to just that.
The EP's title track Flashback creates an immersive late-night experience. What memories or emotions were you channeling during its creation?
When I was in the songwriting process, I really wanted to make sure this EP channeled that inner "bad bitch" in me. What started with toying around with some sultry vocals and synth samples turned into this 3-track EP that really highlights the energy of being bold and doing things on my own terms. It really translates well into an immersive experience for the fans as well because once they listen to the tracks, they will be able to identify the juxtaposition between boldness and vulnerability that the tracks really express.
The Artist in Me includes the mantra "Being an artist, being me – that's my best excuse to be crazy." How does this statement reflect your philosophy as a creator?
Growing up I've always had trouble with routine, authority, and rules. It wasn't until my 20s when I realized I've always been destined to be an artist. This song means something special to me because it is exactly that - me expressing my desire and passion for doing what I want and what fills my cup up.
You've mentioned finding a "balance between euphoria and melancholy" in this EP. How do you achieve this emotional duality in your production?
I love being diverse in my DJ sets as well as productions, so it's always interesting for me to channel in on this, especially as a (mainly) techno act. One might wonder how to achieve this balance when writing techno music but it is actually quite fun if you stay open-minded. For me, on top of nailing a solid kick and bass, I love adding in synthwave elements to give the music a more emotional and euphoric feel.
As a Chinese-American artist, how has your cultural heritage influenced your approach to electronic music?
It's interesting because I grew up classically trained on the piano. I can honestly say that my cultural heritage itself has not introduced me to electronic music in any way, but the chain of events that led to my self-discovery is the reason why I fell in love with electronic music. It's almost like I was able to start embracing myself and my background when I realized I had a deep passion for music and I wanted to turn it into something more than just a hobby.
The release is on HE.SHE.THEY., a label known for inclusivity and breaking down barriers. Why was this the right home for the Flashback EP?
HE.SHE.THEY. cannot be the more perfect home for this EP because we both emphasize the importance of self-expression, diversity, and inclusion. Being able to harness that energy with each other and for the greater good is all I can ask for.
You launched Dauntless Records in 2023. How has owning your label shaped your creative freedom and artistic development?
It's been a journey. I love having the freedom to not only release music on my own terms, but also brand myself in any way I want. Dauntless may have been around since 2023 but Q4 last year is when we did our first label event. We went from throwing a 100-person rave to bringing 250+ people through the door at Elsewhere Space. It is incredible to be able to celebrate music and life with like-minded people, and connect with each other on the dance floors.
Your recent performances have included prestigious venues like E1 and Echostage. How do these different spaces influence your approach to performing?
Generally speaking, the crowds in Europe are different from the US but these two venues will remain in my highlight memories. While E1 is a smaller, more intimate club, Echostage is a massive 4k capacity music venue. Playing at both were incredible experiences and had me curating set lists based on energy and vibes of the crowds. I would say I played some slightly more commercial tracks at Echostage compared to E1 due to the size and nature of the venue.
You've shared stages with titans like Amelie Lens and Nicole Moudaber. What have these experiences taught you about carving your own path?
Amelie and Nicole are both incredible titans in the industry. They are not just role models for women in music but also men, in my opinion. Both have worked hard to get to where they are now, and it really shows us that resilience, hard work and dedication pay off.
The EP closes with "On My Own" – a track that balances intensity with atmospheric depth. Can you walk us through your creative process for this piece?
It's funny because I changed the title of this track so many times but the songwriting process from start to finish rarely had any tweaks because of how much confidence I have in this track. It's one of those tracks that just came together easily. The way I balance intensity and atmospheric depth is by making sure the track has a pumping bassline and solid kick. Then the fun is where I get creative with the synths, whether it's the arps, pads, fx, fills etc. That balance is surely reflected here when you listen to the driving bassline, complemented by the vocal textures and pads.
Your upcoming Dauntless Showcase at Elsewhere Zone One highlights female producers. What inspired you to create this platform?
I wanted to create a space for people to celebrate authentic self-expression and liberation through dancing. Although I don't make it a point that I book an all-female lineup, I love supporting and lifting other women up in this male-dominated scene.
From Life Is Music to Flashback, how has your sound evolved between these two projects?
It has evolved in the sense that I am letting myself really hone in on this creative freedom that I do my best to express through each track. That "techy" and progressive techno lover inside me will never change, and I want to make sure whatever I put out there is true to myself and done on my own terms.
You've mentioned channeling your rebellious energy into your craft. How does this translate specifically into your production techniques?
I definitely don't like following formulas and trends. Look, it's not easy to just say "f*ck it, I'll make whatever I want," especially as an artist in this space who is hungry for success. But what really grounds me is the emotions I feel when I listen to something that I truly care for. So when I create, I let my heart guide the direction.
Electronic music has historically struggled with representation. How do you see the landscape changing for women and artists of color?
I think more women of color are surfacing in this scene which is great. There still is a lot of work to be done but if the community as a collective can be more aware of recognizing the wonderful talent we have out there, then we can have more diverse and proper representation throughout all artists of different backgrounds.
Looking ahead, what creative boundaries are you excited to push next?
I am excited to see where my releases take me this year going into next. I am making quite a few exciting label debuts in the next couple months, and although most of the stuff I have coming out are peak time techno tracks, the music I am currently working on is more "techy groover" adjacent.