Maple Ridge singer Hilary Grist needs your help as she vies for a top spot on the Peak Performance Project, a prestigious professional development program sponsored by 100.5 FM The Peak that helps new and emerging artists in the music industry.
The art-pop-torch-folk songstress has been on a musical roll since the release of her third album, Imaginings, last year.
Her poignant, free-spirited songs are making campus radio playlists from coast to coast and have been featured on CBC Radio.
Her music has also found eager new listeners south of the border through the iTunes Indie Singer-Songwriter Spotlight in the U.S. Grist has garnered many TV placements for her songs, including shows like Degrassi, Endgame and Go To Gal.
Grist, 30, was picked as a Top 20 finalist in the 2011 Peak Performance Project in May and has spent the past two months honing her musical skills.
Each of the Top 20 artists got $5,000 to spend on things that would support their career, including recording, marketing, promotion or video production. Grist spent the cash recording a song called Chemical Reaction with renowned producer Howard Redekopp, on a set for a music video for the song ‘Tall Building’ and hiring musicians which included a marching band who played at her Peak Performance show case.
The Top 20 also attended a boot camp in Princeton, where they learned about the ins and outs of the music industry from pros.
It truly was a “bootcamp” in the real sense of the word with all night recording sessions, zero sleep and a highly structured schedule, says Grist.
Grist also played a sold-out show in Vancouver at the Red Room, which was judged by a who’s who of the local music industry. As part of the contest, she was given a set of five challenges involving everything from charity work to marketing plans.
The Top 5 winners will be announced on Oct. 26, based on live performances and online voting. Last year, the $100,500 grand prize was awarded to the rapper Kyprios while Juno-winner Said The Whale reaped silver.
• You will have one week to cast your votes for Grist online at peakperformanceproject.com. Voting opens Friday, Oct.7.
