Through the crooked mountains of Raleigh, North Carolina, folk musician Helena Boling’s dad turned back time with a single CD on their way to school every morning. The disc featured eight of “the best singer-songwriters of all time,” with the poignant lyrics of Bob Dylan and the high-pitched, heartfelt falsetto of Neil Young.
The songs stirred now 26-year-old Boling’s pride in her Southern identity, making her feel as if she were beside her father when he first heard the songs. From playing original songs with her loved ones on her pontoon boat at Smith Mountain Lake to covering traditional folk hits in marinas, she saw firsthand how music can unite hundreds of strangers.
Traveling between Virginia and North Carolina in a musical frenzy showed her the value of telling stories about ordinary people from different cultures and generations through folk music.
“Folk is expanding,” Boling said. “It’s more of a feeling than the original definition. It’s taking music and traditions from the past and using them to make something new and comment on the present.”
Boling grew up with parents who went the distance to ensure their children had access to music. She and her eight siblings participated in their school’s band program, and their mother was adamant about giving Boling the tools she needed to be a musician.
For Boling, it was never a question of whether she’d become a musician; she’s been one her entire life. Boling now lives and performs as HelDog across stages in Gainesville. She moved to the city for its musical resources and community, she said.
Each one of her songs begins with a poem born out of intense emotion, prompting goosebumps when the music feels “very true,” she said. It’s a frequent feeling for her. Growing up Catholic and queer led Boling to constantly search for truth in her music.
“I want to be a folk artist [who] carries representation and visibility for the next generation,” she said. “I don’t see why queer people shouldn’t be able to maintain their traditions and cultures and feel accepted in the church where they grew up, rather than run out.”
Amia Davis, a 25-year-old rap artist based in Gainesville, performed alongside HelDog at Nightjar’s “Widen the Lens” event in May. During her first soundcheck with HelDog, Davis, who goes by the stage name Madame Ruis, said she was so tuned in to their performance that she doesn’t remember how many people were in the crowd.
After playing songs off her EP “Lovesick,” multiple fans approached Davis with adoration. Their love for their music validated the artists’ work and inspired HelDog and Madame Ruis to continue their music careers.
Davis was in utter bliss, which she hadn't felt in a long time, she said.
Davis believes Boling’s work as a musician, poet and artist is empowering for queer people, especially in the South and in small towns across the country. Boling’s bravery as an artist is something she longs to mirror someday, even amid the anti-LGBTQ+ actions of Florida’s current government, she said.
“There’s a lot of room to explore [and] express yourself here,” Davis said. “But to do it in front of a crowd that doesn’t necessarily identify with you, I think that’s what real revolution is. That’s doing something good for the community and good for future generations to come.”
Active in Gainesville’s queer community is Kehlani T. Kelly, a 25-year-old female impersonator who performs at University Club. In their experience, LGBTQ+ representation in music makes a world of difference to a crowd. While dancing to Chappell Roan, the queer community feels seen in a way that songs by artists like Beyoncé might not offer, they said.
“I don’t do it just for me anymore because I know my impact,” Kelly said. “I’ve seen people react to how I perform. Every aspect of being queer is under attack, so any representation, whether it be big or small, is so important.”
HelDog will soon perform at churches across Gainesville. Her most recent song, “Gone,” is streaming on all major platforms.
Contact Autumn Johnstone at ajohnstone@alligator.org. Follow them on X @AutumnJ922.
Autumn Johnstone is a freshman journalism/art student and a music reporter for The Avenue. When they're not writing, you can find them enjoying a nice cup of coffee at a nearby café or thrifting for vinyls.
