Hillary Reynolds: From Songwriting for Others to Her Own Musical Journey
Hillary Reynolds, a talented songwriter from Appleton, has made significant strides in the music industry. Her compositions have graced popular TV shows like “Yellowstone” and even a Grammy-nominated album by Little Big Town, a Nashville country band.
Reynolds, who divides her time between Wisconsin and Los Angeles, recently found herself writing songs that held personal significance, leading her to keep them for her own voice. She shared with WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” that these songs were “too precious to hear somebody else” sing.
“I went through a phase of thinking that in order to find career success, it was a means to support other people’s visions and put theirs before my own,” Reynolds reflected. “Writing these songs specifically, they were such good medicine for me.”
Reynolds is now celebrating the release of her debut solo album, “Changing Seasons.” This collection of eight Americana folk tracks is designed to be a musical companion for listeners, inspired by the quiet mornings she experienced as a new mother.
In a conversation with “Wisconsin Today,” Reynolds discussed the personal journey of creating her album, her musical roots in Appleton, and the influence of motherhood on her songwriting.
Balancing Motherhood and Music
During the interview, Reynolds described the challenge of balancing her responsibilities as a mother with the album’s release, which coincided with her first trimester of pregnancy. “It’s just comical, the timing,” she remarked about the overlapping demands of this period.
The front and back of the CD jacket for Hillary Reynolds’ new album, “Changing Seasons.” Image courtesy of Hillary Reynolds
The Evolution of a Songwriter
Reynolds’ journey from songwriting for others to crafting her own album showcases her evolution as an artist. She noted that the songs on her album are a time capsule of her experiences, including having a song recorded by Little Big Town, which led to a Grammy nomination.
Personal Growth Reflected in Music
Discussing the track “Can’t Turn Off My Mind,” Reynolds highlighted how its meaning has transformed over time. Initially about anxiety, the song now resonates with her experiences as a mother, reflecting sleepless nights spent caring for her child.
Morning Inspirations
Reynolds explained that her album is meant for mornings, drawing from her experiences of seeking solace and peace during her early days of motherhood. “I thought that this album would be a really great companion to those sort of moments,” she said.
When we came together to build the world, I just thought it was a great first track to introduce people to all of the intimate places this album can be.
Hillary Reynolds
Musical Influences from Appleton
Reynolds credits her musical upbringing in Appleton for shaping her artistry. Her family’s love for music exposed her to a range of artists, from Tom Petty to Fleetwood Mac. This environment, along with her participation in choirs and symphonies, fostered her musical development.
