I was fortunate enough to
see Hilary Grist for FREE!! at the Maple Ridge Act on the Songstage
Nights this event is the first Tuesday of each month.
I had bought her newest
Cd “Imaginings” and enjoy her sound very much she was kind enough
to give me an interview through email.
Where were you born/grow up?
I was born up in Northern BC in the
tiny town of Quesnel. We moved to Maple Ridge when I was about 2
years old and I spent the rest of my childhood years there. It was a
great place to grow up.
What inspired you your start in music,
also any teachings that had from schools/family?
My parents enrolled me in piano lessons
when I was really young, maybe 3 or 4 years old, so I don't remember
starting music actually, just that I had always done it. I was really
inspired by my Maple Ridge piano teacher Robyn Tremblay, who still
lives there. She was always very supportive of me and encouraged me
from a young age to write my own songs. As a teenager I started
jamming with friends and became really involved with all the choirs
at Maple Ridge Secondary. That was when I truly felt that music was
going to be such a big part of my path and passion. My family has
also always been very supportive.
Your song “Stick of Dynamite” was
recently on Degrassi Jr High how did that all come about?
I was lucky enough to be heard by an
agent who pitched my song to the producers of Degrassi and it went
from there. So far I've had two song placements on that show. It's a
real thrill!
Here is her video for "Something Beautiful"
For songs like “Tall Buildings” &
“Save you for last” both are VERY artistic. How long did they
both take to do?
Oh boy, the videos for these two songs
were a lot of fun and a lot of work. 'Tall Buildings' by far takes
the cake though, definitely my most ambitious project to date. It
took at least a month for us to plan, make all the cardboard
structures, film, edit, etc.
'Save You For Last' only took a day, but
a lot of advance planning went into executing all the drawings in one
take. I love making music videos for my songs. It's another way to be
creative and bring the songs to life.
I have compared your sound to that of
Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan are they any influence on your writing
etc?
I haven't listened to Tori Amos very
much actually, but Sarah McLachlan was definitely an inspiration and
had a big influence on me. She was becoming really popular when I was
a teenager and I remember singing along to her records all the time
and going to a few of her concerts.
If people like what they see here, where can they get your music
from?
My music is all available on iTunes.
Also at CDBaby and BandCamp. And a few stores in Vancouver like Red
Cat Records and Zulu Records. Or they can just email me and I'll pop
one in the mail for them the old fashioned way. Thanks!
Are you touring at all I am sure allot
of people in the Lower Mainland would be happy to know where they
might be able to see you. Also any chances you might do a return
concert in Maple Ridge?
I am doing a lot of touring this summer
and I'm really looking forward to it! We are heading off to Japan and
Korea at the end of July and I'm really excited to get the chance to
play over there. After that we play in the interior at the Salmon Arm
Roots & Blues Festival.
I had first heard your lovely voice on
The Vancouver 125 celebration Cd the song was “The City of Green &
Blue” I still play that song allot I really enjoy the richness of
it all, is that song about where you grew up?
'City of Green and Blue' was written
after I took a plane back to Vancouver from Toronto. I was looking
out the window and feeling amazed at all the beautiful mountains,
ocean and greenery I saw. I love Toronto too, but I was happy to be
home again on the west coast.
Where do you record your albums?Also
the musicians that are the album with you, where did you meet them do
they tour with you?
I record my albums at Creativ Recording
Studio in North Vancouver with my amazing husband/producer, Mike
Southworth. I've met pretty much all the musicians I know in and
around the Vancouver music scene and when I went to school at
Capilano University's music program. I have started touring with a
band more recently, but before that I used to tour solo or as a duo.
Lastly are you working on anything new,
or when can we expect some new music from Hilary Grist?
I'm working on a new album called
'Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over'. It's a collection of original
lullabyes. I'm really excited to share it. And I'm already busy
writing for my next album after that one is out.
Here is her "NEW" video "Swallow Me Up" which debuted the end of June.
Thanks so much Hilary I really
appreciate all of your creativity
Thanks for the interview! It was
totally my pleasure! All the best to you!
Hilary Grist on Facebook
Hilary Grist Website
Thank you for reading this
Compiled & Edited from an email by
Anthony Nadeau
