Over the last five years 17-year-old singer-songwriter Hillary Johnson has made it her mission to take her emotionally charged songs and her “do-it-yourself” attitude and share it with the world. Self-described as a “poetic rocker with a pop essence”, Hillary says her music is simply “soulful down-to-earth music you can get along with; it’s real music for real people!”

Hillary’s story is one that reflects the words of the late Ray Charles “I was born with music inside me. Music is one of my parts, like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, and my heart, like my blood.” Music is definitely in Hillary’s blood. Since the age of two, singing has been her method of communication. From singing her homework to her 1st grade teacher, to capturing in song the life and loss of her grandfather when she was 12, Hillary takes the purpose of music and meaningful songwriting to a whole new level.

Shortly after turning 13, her parents discovered that what they thought was a diary was actually a songbook, filled with lyrics and poems that Hillary had written, with music and melodies as well. Her eyes on the future, Hillary turned to her family and friends for encouragement and guidance. The father of one of her girlfriends, an accomplished jazz composer, helped her to record her first professional demo. It was a very successful experience, opening Hillary’s eyes to the opportunities that recording and producing original music could bring.

With the confidence born from hearing her voice and lyrics professionally recorded, Hillary began to seek opportunities to perform live. At 13, she acquired a weekly gig at a local jazz supper club. Performing solo on piano, Hillary had the opportunity to work out new songs and get critical feedback from the audience; it also inspired her to write her first full-length album, and to start her own record label, Blue Max Records.

Working with Grammy nominated producer and engineer duo Erik Steinert and Axel Niehaus of Stray Dog Music, Hillary recorded a set of her songs which is her debut album “Is It Normal.” This collection of infectious piano and guitar-driven power pop includes Hillary’s first single, “Paradise.” Seen as “a track with major potential,” a feature-length video was shot for the song on the streets of Brooklyn, near where she had recorded the album.

Hillary is now performing the songs from this album, along with several new songs at select live shows throughout the Northeast. Information about her schedule, news and photos are available at www.HillaryJohnsonMusic.com.