An Interview With HILARY ‘The Red Songbird’ ROBERTS!

Hilary “The Red Songbird” Roberts is an American Texas pop singer currently working on finishing her first LP. The lead single is titled “There For You,” was released on Friday, June 1st with an official music video following on Friday, June 15th. “There For You” is a pop/dance song that has a very strong meaning behind it. It’s about bringing a higher elevation of caring for one another, and being there for each other in times of need. This is Hilary’s pop-filled love note to the world. The song charted #3 on the Billboard Breakout Dance charts and remains in the top 15.

View the official video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmlgKWBKlXs

“I had to learn to humble myself to allow others to be there for me and help me when I couldn’t do it on my own. The biggest transformation of my life happened when I was willing to let others help me and be there for me despite how hard that was. What I learned through their love and encouragement and example was that it was so important for me to be there for others whether with my own family, a significant other, a friend or a stranger. That’s what ‘There For You’ is all about.

Some of the stories are examples from my own life. In the dance scene, I wanted to show a celebration because when you go through the darkest of times you think it will never be better, but when you walk it through and get to the other side…then you can celebrate. You survived. And you celebrate with the people you walked it out with.”    – Hilary Roberts

Hilary has a story of unimaginable troubles, traumatic circumstances, survival, and redemption. Hilary now dedicates her life and talents to making a positive impact on society through her music. She has led quite an unusual life and has an incredible story. Her life experiences are what inspire her to do what she does – she would like to heal those in need and bring people together. Hilary is a survivor – and she is inspired most by people who survive the most horrific of circumstances and fight for their freedom to heal, people who treat others with love and kindness, people that are authentic and anyone who is brave. Hilary’s main goal is to make music that makes people want to groove, makes people feel less alone, makes people smile a little bit more, and inspires them to do something kind for someone else.

Hilary currently resides in Dallas, Texas. When she is not busy making or performing music, she can be found dancing, enjoying nature and animals, hanging out with her Bichon/Poodle and Russian Blue kitty, driving fast cars, and giving back to the community. She is an active member of American Heart Association, and does as much work as she can with any child advocacy center, any organization that helps the elderly, any no kill shelters and any animal rescues. You can learn more about her story here – https://www.hilaryroberts.com/

Learn more about Hilary Roberts in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you now? Is there music playing in the background?

There’s not music playing in the background. However, we were just discussing our next song release and have made a final decision on that … so I’m very excited.

All Access Music is currently compiling a list of our artist’s favorite songs this summer so what has been your song of the summer?

The fact that my first single, There For You, was released this summer and went to Billboard Top 10 on the Dance Club Chart, which blew my mind and my whole team’s mind, makes it my favorite song for the summer. My second choice is You Say by Lauren Daigle because it is a beautiful song of great encouragement.

Overall, how do you think 2018 has been treating you and your career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it? Or did you already reach it?

This year has been one of the most amazing years of my life for several reasons. One, we have released the first single. Two, it went Top 10. Three, we did the official video that supported the message we were trying to convey. And four, the message of There For You has already impacted so many lives. People have written in and told us what it has meant to them and how grateful they are that we are putting out music that is uplifting.

Growing up, was music always a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience? Can you see yourself ever doing anything else?

Music was a big part of my life growing up. On my mother’s side we have a lot of music people that sing and play instruments and my mother listened to opera and classical. My father listened to blues and jazz. My first musical experience was when I saw the Broadway show, Annie, as a kid. At that point I wanted to be Annie and as I sang along I realized I had a singing voice. I got just about everything I auditioned for.I can also see myself speaking, which I already do … and continuing to help others.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

How much responsibility it truly takes. Some people think it’s just an easy road, but it takes perseverance. It takes daily, consistent discipline in honing your craft. It’s also about internally knowing why you are doing the music and what you are here to share.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today?

I grew up in Denver, Colorado where different family members took me to listen to different kinds of music … everything from Red Rocks for the concerts to the symphony … to the opera to rock n’ rock at the stadium … to pop music with my friends. I was fortunate that a lot of different styles were infused into my life. When I moved to Texas, I started listening to some country and I loved the stories in the songs and how they were sung with such soul. I am grateful that I appreciate just about every style of music.

Let’s talk about your latest single, “There For You.” What was the inspiration for this track? How do you think it prepares listeners for the rest of your forthcoming debut album?

When Damon Sharpe and Eric Sanicola provided me with the foundation of this song, it was perfect for the beginning of our music with a message. This song addresses being there for one another, whether with someone you know quite well or a stranger. It is about elevation love, compassion and kindness on our planet.It is the perfect song to introduce my album because all the songs have a message and a meaning and will hopefully make people think about the impact they are having on others and how others impact them.

What was it like making the music video for “There For You”? How creatively involved were you with the overall process?

It was so much fun coming up with ideas with my team about the vignettes and how we wanted to show different scenarios of people being there for each other. Some of the vignettes represented experiences from my own life.

How would you say that losing your voice and having to work to get it back has affected the kind of artist that you are today?

It made me realize how important it is to practice self-care. The voice is a very delicate instrument. It also has given me utter gratitude for the gift God has given me.

I would love to know more about all the work that you do with child advocacy centers and animal rescues. Why are these organizations important to you?

Having lived through my own childhood trauma and getting to the other side of healing, it is so important to let people that have been there know there is hope … and to help people realize that they do not have to own that shame.One of my hot buttons is when I find out about animal abuse and/or neglect. It is important that we advocate for the helpless animals that cannot defend themselves.

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how your own music is reflecting this time period or is your music an escape from all that? Would you say that other musicians are making music that has been influenced by this climate?

Concerning politics, there will always be disagreements. The music is about making people think a little deeper, and about how they are behaving towards the world and allowing themselves to be treated.Musicians have been making songs that express the emotions they feel about certain events or political views for a long time. I believe this to be cathartic and that it can be helpful to express emotions through creativity.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

Since we have been growing so much, I’ve had to get help from my social media team. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have any time for writing or singing … lol …I try to connect with my fans by posting videos and pictures, and definitely, when I’m out at any events or performing, I love to connect with the people there.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Let me preface with this … there are so many that I love, it is extremely hard to tell you all of the musicians who have affected my life. But that said, if I could only listen to one artist for the rest of my life, I would pick Stevie Wonder.I’d like to be on a stage with the top female singers in the world, all of us singing our hearts out. That would be amazing! That would be a dream come true … to stand on stage with all of those beautiful and talented women!

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why?

I would take a piano because then I could play and create and … hopefully have the animals and birds come to listen to my songs.

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

Some romantic princess movie that is uplifting and YAY … and when you leave the theatre you are just smiling.

Do you have any tour dates you would like to tell our readers about? What’s next on your agenda?

We will be letting everyone know. We are working on choreography and dates at this time.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music?

I hope that it will make them feel less alone. That it will make them feel connected. That if they are feeling like giving up that they don’t. That they will try to love themselves and others more. That they will know that they are important and they have value … and that they are loved.