Artist Profile: Hillary Grace from the Band Fretland

Name: Hillary Grace Skalsky of the band Fretland

Hometown: Snohomish, WA

Your Medium/Craft: Americana folk rock

Years doing your craft: 2.5 years as a band, 10 years for myself

How did you first get started in your craft?

My family growing up was very musical. My mom was a writer, played guitar, had a band and was always a rockstar in my mind.

I first started writing music on piano although I wasn’t classically trained like my brother and sister, so at 15 I got my first guitar for my birthday. I learned a few of my favorite songs but was really interested more in writing.

Within a few years, I started playing coffee shops and fell in love with the stage. It is so nerve racking to share your thoughts and emotion with strangers but it’s one of my favorite places to be.

Favorite Artist(s) and/or Inspirations?

My mother has always been my inspiration. She taught herself to play guitar and was so captivating on and off stage. She was a wonderfully earnest writer with a voice like glass.

Favorite Piece You've Created?

Every new song is my new favorite. Most recently it’s a title called It Won’t Be Us. It’s a story of two people full of expectations, promises and ultimately heartbreak.

What’s the most challenging part of being an artist, or something you had to overcome?

Being an artist means constantly making yourself vulnerable. There are so many talented musicians in the world it can feel like “what am I even doing?!”

Right now we’re hosting a Kickstarter campaign to record our first album and it can make you feel just crazy anxious! Are people going to support us? Do they care? Are we gonna make it and what if we don’t?

How can people be supportive of the arts?

It means the world when people show up! To a show or when they show interest in what you’re working on. Like I said there is a lot of vulnerability in art, appreciating it whether financially investing and encouragement goes a long way.

Favorite place in Everett to eat?

King Noodle!

Favorite place in Everett to hang?

Scuttlebutt taproom for beers, Narrative for coffee.

Favorite quote and/or words to live by?

“Expect people’s best and be surprised by their worst.” Tanya Edwards, my mother.

What's next for you?

We are fundraising for our first album! We have a lot of material that we are anxious to capture on a record and share with our community.

Where can people see more of your art?

We have our EP that we recorded at my home in Monroe out on all the regular platforms and we are always playing local shows! Like us on FB and Instagram to stay updated. Here’s our Kickstarter profile too!

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