To read part 1, click here.
Cendrine Marrouat: Your voice is very unique — a mixture of youthfulness and maturity. Have you received any formal training?
Hilary Grist: Wow, thanks! I started singing as a shy teenager and it really helped me come out of my shell. I actually went to the Capilano University Jazz Studies program where I received my Bachelor of Music in Voice, so that’s probably where the maturity comes in, from studying jazz singers. But also the playfulness too, because I really like to use my voice to explore different characters, shades and layers of meaning. Communicating with the voice is such a beautiful, endless, fun endeavor and it’s invisible, which I find really mysterious.
CM: Have you noticed changes in the Canadian music scene since you started your professional career?
HG: Oh yes, definitely. When I started out playing shows with my original work it was around 2005 and people still bought CDs, so the whole online music thing has completely changed how artists make money and market themselves. Even six or seven years ago, it was really tough to make your own music video unless you had a huge budget and then you would cross your fingers and hope it would get played on Much Music. With YouTube we have an amazing tool for musicians to promote themselves and their art and the equipment costs are way lower, so you can do most of the production yourself too.
It’s way more of a DIY artist model now. You have to be in charge of so many things not just your music - your own booking agent, promotion, marketing, licensing, etc. You can’t wait for anyone else to take care of these things for you. You have way more control. I think it’s a really exciting time to be an independent artist.
CM: How do you usually work on a song?
HG: Usually I’ll be inspired by a melody and/or a piano part first and the words sort of appear in drips and drabs out of the feeling or emotion created. I’ll get a word, a line, maybe a whole chorus, and then I’ll get a hint at what the theme is and I’ll be compelled to take it from there and create more. My songs tend to reveal themselves as I go along. I like to think of myself as a deep sea diver looking for treasure in the dark depths. ;)
Sometimes my subconscious surprises me. I don’t usually set out to write a particular song or about a particular subject, but once in a while that happens too. It happened with "Back in Town" (off my "Imaginings" album) where I wrote most of the lyrics first and then set it to music afterwards.
CM: As an independent artist, what are the main challenges that you encounter?
HG: Hmmm, probably the most challenging thing is getting exposure both live and online because there are so many talented artists out there. That and making a living, of course!
CM: What is next for you?
HG: I’m really excited because I’ve got two new albums up my sleeve! I’m almost done recording an original lullaby album and I’m going to be busy making a lot of multi-media art work for it. And I’ve also just started writing and recording another full-length album!
CM: Where can people find more information on you and your music?
HG: They can wander over to my website at www.hilarygrist.com.
CM: Any last words?
HG: Just want to say thank you so much! I really enjoyed this!
End of the interview.
---------------
Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com. Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com.
Comments