Hilary Grist

Hearts and crafts – Vancouver’s art-pop, torch-folk songstress, Hilary Grist, embraces the rich details of the heart and paints sparkling vignettes with her poignant musical and visual creations. Inspired by the mysterious and with a penchant for wide-eyed optimism, her soothing honey-soaked voice and intimate piano playing soar over driving indie pop and dreamy tinderbox folk; all with a twinkle in her eye and a stomp in her foot.

Hilary’s captivating, cinematic songs have been featured on international TV shows like Degrassi (MuchMusic), Grimm (NBC), Being Human (NBC/Syfy), Continuum (Showcase), Arctic Air (CBC), Endgame (CTV) and Go To Gal (CHEK TV). They’ve been adored on campus radio from coast to coast and have appeared on many CBC Radio programs such as DNTO, North By Northwest, as well as Lana Gay’s ehList on CBC Radio 3. Her music has also found eager new listeners in the U.S. through the iTunes Singer-Songwriter Spotlight. Hilary was awarded 4th place in the highly competitive 2011 Peak 102.7 FM Peak Performance Project.

Since the release of her most recent album, 'Imaginings', produced by Mike Southworth, Hilary has been charming audiences across Canada and the world. Highlights including Tokyo’s renowned Cotton Club in Japan, Busan International Rock Festival and Ulsan World Music Festival in Korea, Edge of the World Festival in Haida Gwaii, Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, Pop Okanagan, CBC Radio 2′s Canada Live and CBC Radio’s Toque Sessions. The album’s emotional depth and intricate beauty has garnered generous praise from press and critics who have compared her to Feist, Regina Spektor and Norah Jones.

Hilary was born in the tiny, northern mining town of Quesnel, BC and grew up in Maple Ridge singing along to the Beatles in the family station wagon, playing piano and writing her own little songs. Years of classical piano lessons and singing in the highschool choir led her to move to Vancouver and continue her music education at the Jazz Studies Program at Capilano University where she was inspired by everything from Debussy to Ella Fitzgerald to Tom Waits.

Hilary’s creativity doesn’t just stop at music; her playful hand-drawn music videos, chalkboard animations, illustrated E-cards and other inventive visual art creations, such as her 8 foot long cardboard piano-city for the music video ‘Tall Buildings’, have captured imaginations across the globe on YouTube.

Hilary is currently busy at work, crafting her next extraordinary music and imagery project – a lullaby album and fantasy picture book called 'Tomorrow is a Chance to Start Over'.