Biography
A singer-songwriter who plays piano, guitar, and violin, Hilary weaves lyrical and musical tapestries with a raw emotional edge. Jeff Dame of Northeast In-Tune has this to say about Hilary and her music: "Hilary has the potential to be as big as the likes of Alanis Morisette, Tori Amos, or Sheryl Crow. Listen to her now and you can 'I've been in from the beginning.'
Hilary's music is comfortably chameleon-like, inspired by a fresh and unique mix of blues, folk, rock, classical, and country. Comparisons offered when people speak of Hilary's sound range from Joan Baez to Billie Holiday. This delicious ambiguity might result from Hilary's various and sundry influences, which include Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel, Sarah McLachlan and Nick Drake. Regardless of this mix of inspirations, Hilary's sound remains truly her own. Hannah Vogel of the Sandpoint Reader says: "[Hilary] is uniquely herself, in her music and onstage. From coffee shops, to blues houses and festivals, wherever she goes, she and her music are genuine. It's not often you meet a musician you might also like to have as a best friend."
Born in Washington State, Hilary started her solo performance career in Seattle, but moved to Columbia, Missouri in 2000, where she formed The Hilary Scott Band. She and her band tour the midwest and beyond, playing in various types of venues and opening for artists such as Beth Orton, Jonatha Brooke, Little Feat, and recently Tanya Tucker at the Festival at Sandpoint in Idaho. Hilary is currently investing time in professional showcases and competitions. She is also a featured artist in the prestigious and competitive Missouri Arts Council touring magazine, and the Midwest equivalent (Heartland Arts Council) of this magazine has accepted her for promotion as well.
In 2004, Hilary began working with Nashville producer Matthew Wilder to help carry her songs into the radio realm, releasing an EP entitled, 'Out of the Wilderness.' These songs have been well-received by both fans and radio. John Kulidas of WCSU (Chicago State University) says: "Hilary's in our rotation and we're definitely looking at her as an up-and-comer. Just the other day one of my colleagues was asking me, 'where are all the Carol Kings nowadays'? Well....here you go!"
Over the past two years Hilary has continued to work with Wilder, recently signing a co-writing and publishing deal. Hilary has also had the opportunity to write with 'Nashville royalty' such as John Goodwin and Angela Kaset, collaborating on songs that dip into different genres such as dance/techno, and pop.
Meanwhile, the Hilary Scott Band has continued to tour and record, recently releasing 'Road to Hope,' Hilary's 5th release on Belltown Records, an independent label that signed her in 2003. Other titles include: Hypothermia, The Floating World, and Come In, Come In: LIVE and Out of the Wilderness.
Fans have said Hilary is a "national treasure on par with Joan Baez" and "amazing...able to take a crowd into the palm of her hand." They rave about the distinctive nature of her voice, the co-existent intelligence and accessibility of her lyrics, and the pathos and excitement of her band's live performances. Hilary is truly able to connect with listeners, draw them in, and have them as loyal fans. Hilary's website spreads awareness of her sound, as it regularly receives 1,000-2,000 hits a day. Well over a hundred fans are registered on her official website and over 400 fans receive her bi-monthly newsletter.
Want to know more? Here are some tidbits from Hilary's biography on www.hilaryscott.com:
Hilary Scott has been performing music live for more than 10 years. Said to embody the 'perfect mixture of the innocent and erotic,' Hilary's music is garnering serious attention. Billy Burns, former drummer for Ray Charles, had this to say after hearing Hilary's 4th release, 'Out of the Wilderness': "Hilary's voice is very strong and powerful. It communicates so much in and of itself. I see artists all the time, some with potential and some without. I took a chance on Hilary because I just know she has the proverbial IT."
A musical prodigy, Hilary started playing piano at age 2, and was also raised on violin, voice, and guitar. Her musical education includes study at a conservatory in Milan, Italy, and a degree from Whitman College. Hilary started her solo performance career in Seattle, where she was warmly received. Years later, Belltown Records, a small independent label based out of Seattle, would give Hilary her first experience with the support a label can provide, helping propel her career forward by signing her in 2003.
Personal reasons led Hilary to move to Columbia, Missouri, where she was heard on KOPN 89.5 FM for an on-air performance and interview by Bill Adams, who would prove to be the first member of the band that was soon to form around her original sound. 7 members later, The Hilary Scott Band performs in all conceivable venues, from clubs and bars to theaters and stadiums. In their four years together they have built a solid regional following, as well as a certifiable "BUZZ." This buzz includes commercial radio airplay, generous support by community and college radio, regular TV exposure in the region, consistently impressive merchandise sales, and the highest sales record at the Columbia Streetside Records by a local artist. The Hilary Scott Band has performed at some of the highest-profile gigs in the region, including a 4th of July Fireworks football stadium celebration at which there were approximately 15,000 people in attendance. Hilary has had the opportunity to open for (and sing onstage with) Little Feat, Beth Orton, and Jonatha Brooke. This past summer Hilary and her band opened for Tanya Tucker at the Festival at Sandpoint, breaking into the large festival circuit.
Hilary has released 5 albums on Belltown records, of note are the two most recent releases, "Out of the Wilderness" and "Road to Hope." Out of the Wilderness has received impressive radio and industry attention. This CD is an EP recorded and produced in Nashville by Matthew Wilder, and is commercial radio-ready, with performances by Nashville's top studio artists. It distinctly captures Hilary's folk-rock sound while giving her wide appeal. "Out of the Wilderness" also includes an enhanced portion, with live performance and interview footage as well as bio, slideshow, and website and e-mail links.
Instrumentation
Hilary Scott - songwriting, vocals, guitar, keyboard, violin
Bill Adams - guitar
Rob Lampe - electric guitar
Mike Robertson - bass
Michael Bielski - Djembe/percussion
Loyd Warden - drums
Matt Griffin - harmonica
Carol Elliot - Cello
Discography
Road To Hope, November 2006
Out of the Wilderness, 2004
Come In, Come IN: LIVE, 2003
Hypothermia - 2001, re-released 2003
The Floating World, 2002
Radio airplay tracks:
Brave New World
People on a Train
Calls From Springfield
Sometimes Sun, Sometimes Rain
Like You Knew Me
Last Day of Our Acquaintance
Blind Me
Streaming airplay tracks:
Fade to Black
Blind Me
Brave New World
People on a Train
Calls From Springfield
Links
| http://www.hilaryscott.com |