With her deeply soulful voice and timeless sensibilities Hilary Fonda Webb makes music that is as personal and authentic as the artist herself. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 70’s her parents record collection, with all the great singer/songwriter’s of that era, Joni Mitchel, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, Simon and Garfunkel, served as the backdrop to her childhood. Their music was a big influence on her songwriting. Webb will be known to longtime Bay Area music fans as the remarkable lead singer of Sweet Virginia, whose power and vulnerability riveted audiences. At the center of the mid-90s rock scene in SF, the band was beloved by fans and fellow musicians.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Hilary Fonda Webb, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
What first got me into music was probably my Mom and Dads Record collection, full of early folk and rock, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Gorden lightfoot, Simon and Garfunkel, CSN, etc.. my Moms was a singer herself., and had me in choir at the church, which may have started my love for singing., but the love of music was from the records, their stories and rhythms would transport me. My was favorite thing to do was play the records and try to sing note for note with them.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
My favorate part about being a musician, is the feeling i get when i am not at all in my head but in the performance, letting the music literally happen through me and to me, as well i love when a song has just been written and you can feel its magic, there is a sense its not really from you entirely.
Least favorite parts are the self promotion, I still need to get more relaxed about that.
Your latest song is 'Love's Found Me a Home'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
The song Love's found me a home was created while taking an on line songwriter and producer course with Ryan Tedder, I was hashing out different lryics from my journal over the melody and music i had already had pieces of from before, it felt at first like a song about finding love after such a long time with out with another person, but i think its also about finding it for myself., I was using samples on the production and used a french horn, so when it came time to track i was so happy to get to work with a french horn player and to have the feel of melancholy and hope both in the sound of that instrument.
How do you differ from most other artists?
I have no idea how I may differ from other artist, most of the musicians and songwriters i know all have the Mixed bag of Loving the stuff that they write as well as the insecurities that seem to hound you on the sidelines,.. I feel like what I am told is i sing from my soul and gut and that this ends up making folks feel their own feelings more, I also don't know for others but i feel like I am being carried away by the music as I am singing it as much as i am the player , i often feel I am being played if that makes any sense, like i am the lucky one along for the ride.
Where are you from and do you have a stable home or do you prefer travelling?
I currently live in Northern California surrounded by a lot of nature, in West Marin.,The home is somewhat stable, but i love to travel and feel excited to tour again. The different locations always spark new material.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I would say the music i typically create is emotionally inspired, story driven, soulful and honest. As honest as i can feel in the moment i am writing..
How do you nurture your own creativity?
How i nurture my own creativity is a great question. Time outdoors, walking or hiking, sitting at the beach or doing something i can zone out doing like driving on long road-trips, I"ll listen to different Artist I love and let myself feel inspired, then often the muse shows up late night after I've been in the more relaxed space from those places.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Great question, I would love to open a show for Daniel Radcliff, or Brandy Carlisle or the highwoman, or Ryan Adams.
Who's your ideal musician to collaborate with and why?
I would LOVE to create with Blake Mills, because he is so damn gifted as a songwriter and producer, he really writes with a lot of emotionality as well as brilliant word play and melody plus his song structures are so amazing.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future; I am going to release 2 more singles , then the whole album over the course of the next few months and tour this album as much as possible, new songs are already pilling as well so recording again, in the next 6 months. I am eager to find musicians to collaborate with; find management and have a team to help get the music out, I just want to play my music and uplift and inspire people. Thank you for this... Warmly Hilary