Following on from a string of high-profile shows, as well as festival performances at SXSW, CMJ and Northside in recent times, New York-based singer and songwriter Hillary Capps now looks to ready us for the release of her new album with her stunning new single 'The Way Back Home'.
The title-track of her new full-length and featured on the new 'Waxing Moon' EP, 'The Way Back Home' couples smooth and wistful guitar playing with her own soaring vocals. Keeping production and atmosphere to a minimum, her newest offering looks to follow in the footsteps of Laura Marling and Snail Mail with its warm and inviting lo-fi aesthetic.
So with her back on the album promo front, we sat down with the young frontwoman to find out more about her influences and what drew her to the music scene.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Technically, voice. As many singers will say, I’ve basically been singing since I could talk. There are recordings of me improvising in my Dad’s home studio at 3 years old. I tried piano early on and flute in middle school, but neither stuck. I started playing the guitar at 15 and through this fell in love with songwriting. I love writing on piano and ukulele as well. Singing will always be #1 for me.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Lyrically, the concept of time presents itself time and time again (see what I did there…) wanting to slow time, asking myself and others to live in the moment, nostalgia, etc. This theme presents itself in my recent releases “Slow Motion” and “The Way Back Home” as well as several other tracks on my forthcoming album.
The inspiration behind my current release is the moon: I found that there was a through-line on the album about finding balance and searching for a sense of home. The moon represents this balanced connectivity, ever cycling and evolving. Every stage of the lunar cycle brings a new energy to our lives that can be used to our benefit. I learned to connect with myself in this new light over the course of 2019, and decided to pair each of the eleven songs on the album with the individual phases of the moon and what they represent.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
Sara Bareilles’ 'Little Voice' was probably my number one most influential album from my teen years. I had Amy Winehouse Back To Black on repeat in my car, as well as Keane, Vanessa Carlton and Anna Nalick. I also fell in love with Joni Mitchell during this time and played Court and Spark countless times from my little boombox in my bedroom.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
I actually only tend to listen to music in the morning if I’m commuting somewhere. The subway (NYC) can generate some anxiety, so I’ll generally put on a familiar, recent favorite album… Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour, Mitski Be The Cowboy, Bon Iver i,i, Copeland Ixora Twin, Sara Bareilles Amidst The Chaos, Maggie Rogers Heard It In A Past Life, to name a few.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
Many! I love drawing from specific stories, places and moments in life and building the feeling of the song around that. One of my recently released singles, 'Color Me In', was inspired by two dear friends of mine. They were married in a loving partnership for 13 years, but separated after the woman in the relationship came out as gay. They remained close, supportive friends and had to figure out what this new dynamic would look like. Their story inspired me to write the song (it was one of those songs that just pours out of you and you finish writing it within a few hours).
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
I think the most memorable moments have been the single and album release shows. It’s an incredible feeling to be holding onto a piece of music and then finally be able to share it. It’s rewarding and so much fun to celebrate this in a live capacity with a room full of friends, family and fans. (I can’t wait to get and out and see some live music at my favorite local venues when this is all over, and celebrate the release of my forthcoming album as well!)
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Through learning to manage some of my own symptoms from a holistic perspective, I have a newfound passion for women’s reproductive health. Perhaps in another life I would have been a naturopathic doctor or sex-ed teacher.
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Hillary Capps' new single 'The Way Back Home' is available to stream and download now, with her new album of the same name expected later this year. Watch the new video in the player below.