"Many aspiring musicians dream of being whisked away on international tours and playing sold-out stadium shows while their music pumps through local radio stations and appears on MTV in regular rotation.  In short, they yearn for stardom.  Local singer/songwriter Hilary Scott has similar dreams. 

"No matter how it happens,' the bright-eyed 26-year-old said over a cup of iced coffee, "I want my music to be heard by as many people as possible."

While many musicians will spout this wish, few know why they want it; few understand what endears them to the idea of becoming a celebrity.  But after reading through her rich and introspective lyrics on 'The Floating World,' it shouldn't be surprising that Scott had a careful, thoughtful response to the daunting question, 'Why?' 

"Since moving here, people have started to react to my music - not just in saying, 'You have a great voice' or 'I liked that song' " Scott said.  "People tell me that have a spiritual experience at my shows, that they feel they have a connection to me and find meaning in my music."  "A lot of music on the radio today is what I call ear candy, but I feel like my music has gone further than that.  And yeah, that's something that I would like to spread around."

Mostly through word of mouth, Scott has attracted a rather loyal following in Columbia.  It's a following that packed Mojo's last Saturday night; it's a fan base that already has snatched up about half of the 1,000 copies she pressed of her album released in May; it's a group that has bombarded local radio stations with requests to play her music.

And it's a momentum that just might get Scott signed to a label.

"I was nervous to move to Columbia because I thought I had to be in Los Angeles or New York or Memphis to make it," she said.  "But the community has been so supportive here.  It's made me realize that maybe it's not so bad to start out small."

Scott relocated to Mid-Missouri from the Seattle area in a move that can only be attributed to love.  In summer 2000, Scott met Michael Bielski, a Columbian who was taking a road trip across the United States.  Through a mutual friend, Bielski was introduced to Scott, and sparks began to fly.  Bielski put the rest of his travel plans on hold, and the two spent three weeks falling in love.  When Bielski drove back to Missouri, Scott waited an agonizing month before deciding to move to the Midwest.  On June 8, 2001, they were married.  The eighth track on her album, 'A Minute or Two,' was written about that time, when Scott believed she would never see Bielski again.  It would later be the first song they danced to at their wedding reception.  The verses showcase her writing style:  'And it's like diving deeper/With no ground beneath you/It's like finding an old friend/That you'll never see again/Oh but someday a face in the crowd will turn/A movement of light and I'll look twice to be sure/And it might take me a minute or two and then/I will fall in love with you again.'

Scott grew up in Pullman, Wash., a small city on the state's eastern side.  While in college, she participated in an exchange program in Italy, where she studied vocal performance and received classical training.  With a solid grounding in classical music, she also cites pop influences such as Peter Gabriel, Nick Drake and Sarah McLachlan.

And while music has always been a part of her life - besides singing, she plays the guitar, violin, piano and saxophone - she said she considers herself a writer first.

"To me, I think the lyrics are just as important as the music itself," she said.  "The two have to fit together or it just doesn't work.

"Sometimes I'll have this great chord progression but nothing to go with it.  It's hard, but I'll let the music sit until I have something to say."

The maturity of Scott's music is what is most impressive about her album, which is not a debut but her first with a full band.  The album, recorded locally at Floating World Studio, sounds polished and is full of real emotion and reflection. 

Scott is amply backed on the album by local musicians Bill Adams on acoustic guitar, Mike Robertson on bass, Matt Griffin on harmonica and electric guitarist Jason Dinwiddie, who has since moved and been replaced by Rob Lampe.  Scott's husband also plays percussion on the album.

Scott said ultimately she would like to sign with a label, and already she's had some bites from major labels.  That doesn't surprise Streetside manager Kevin Walsh, who said Scott's album has been a top seller among local artists.

"Hilary's disc is really nice," he said.  "There's a lot of quiet space and space between notes in the right place. I think it will be interesting to see if an artist like her can stay where she's at and make it big."

©2002-2007 Hilary Scott Inc. and Belltown Records Inc.