Hilary Weaver

Hilary Weaver – Tell The Next Girl
2009, Hilary Weaver
Hilary Weaver might just be the next big thing. The 19-year old singer/songwriter from Toronto writes pop music full of positive messages, infectious hooks and the sort of melodies that stay in your head for weeks at a time. Weaver’s already won a Best Female Vocal nod at the 2009 Hollywood Music In Media Awards, is a two-time nominee for the Los Angeles Music Awards, and has been a finalist in such competitions as Anthem International’s Music Festival Competition (December 2010), 100% Music Songwriting Competition and British Music Week’s Rising Star Awards. Weaver also took top honors in the 2009 Great American Song Contest for Best Pop Song while placing two songs in the Finalist category. All of this from a six-song EP Weaver self-released in 2009 entitled Tell The Next Girl.
Hilary Weaver has the sort of uncomplicated, girl next door voice that drove popular music from several generations. Weaver’s sense of pop rebellion comes in being a stand-up person who sings about real issues for real people and eschews the cynical mire that is pop music today. Tell The Next Girl opens with “We’re Smokin’ Hot”, a highly danceable piece of pop music built on a killer hook. Weaver’s message of self-assurance is notable, making the point that “hot” isn’t about the air-brushed look that we see in magazines. Here hot is more of an innate, internal quality, and Weaver demands respect for who she is rather than someone’s day dream of what she should look like. This is honestly one of the catchiest pop tunes you’re likely to have heard in some time. “Put Your Hands Up” is pure girls’ night out pop. Weaver shows off an unforced vocal sound that is refreshing. Weaver manages in two songs to prove that she’s everything Avril Lavigne ever claimed in her early marketing efforts but never quite lived up to.
“It Can’t Be With You” a mature song of moving on, telling an ex that he broke her heart and will never have the opportunity again. The song is sung is a solid pop ballad style. Vocal effects are apparent, which is disturbing only insomuch as Weaver has such a nice sound without them. “Tell The Next Girl” is a more upbeat take on saying goodbye. The pop arrangement here is solid and compact; the sort of thing that back in the 1980’s would have had radio programmers drooling all over it. “Never Made It Home” is a song of heartbreak over a love affair that ends abruptly when the guy goes out and never comes back. The strings are a nice touch here, and Weaver tells the story in well-crafted lyrics against a melody that just won’t quit hanging around your brain. Weaver closes with “When I Found You”, a positive pop love song with a catchy, sweet melody. This one won’t set the pop charts ablaze, but it’s a solid pop album track with some marketing potential.
Hilary Weaver apparently knows what it takes to write a hit pop song at the age of nineteen. What’s most impressive is that Weaver isn’t trying to write hits, she simply writes what she knows in a fashion that’s honest, pure and unaffected. The melodies and hooks that Weaver puts forth on Tell The Next Girl speak very well for her future as a pop songwriter and performer. Lyrically Weaver is solid with room to grow, and her star appears to be steadily on the rise. Tell The Next Girl shows what pop music should be, returning some of the sense of innocence to a genre that has badly missed its core quality over the past decade. Hopefully Weaver can keep that sense of wonder blended with the intelligent understanding of the world and sense of self she displays here as she ascends the pop ladder.
Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)
- Wildy's World

Hilary Weaver – Tell The Next Girl
2009, Hilary Weaver
Hilary Weaver might just be the next big thing. The 19-year old singer/songwriter from Toronto writes pop music full of positive messages, infectious hooks and the sort of melodies that stay in your head for weeks at a time. Weaver’s already won a Best Female Vocal nod at the 2009 Hollywood Music In Media Awards, is a two-time nominee for the Los Angeles Music Awards, and has been a finalist in such competitions as Anthem International’s Music Festival Competition (December 2010), 100% Music Songwriting Competition and British Music Week’s Rising Star Awards. Weaver also took top honors in the 2009 Great American Song Contest for Best Pop Song while placing two songs in the Finalist category. All of this from a six-song EP Weaver self-released in 2009 entitled Tell The Next Girl.
Hilary Weaver has the sort of uncomplicated, girl next door voice that drove popular music from several generations. Weaver’s sense of pop rebellion comes in being a stand-up person who sings about real issues for real people and eschews the cynical mire that is pop music today. Tell The Next Girl opens with “We’re Smokin’ Hot”, a highly danceable piece of pop music built on a killer hook. Weaver’s message of self-assurance is notable, making the point that “hot” isn’t about the air-brushed look that we see in magazines. Here hot is more of an innate, internal quality, and Weaver demands respect for who she is rather than someone’s day dream of what she should look like. This is honestly one of the catchiest pop tunes you’re likely to have heard in some time. “Put Your Hands Up” is pure girls’ night out pop. Weaver shows off an unforced vocal sound that is refreshing. Weaver manages in two songs to prove that she’s everything Avril Lavigne ever claimed in her early marketing efforts but never quite lived up to.
“It Can’t Be With You” a mature song of moving on, telling an ex that he broke her heart and will never have the opportunity again. The song is sung is a solid pop ballad style. Vocal effects are apparent, which is disturbing only insomuch as Weaver has such a nice sound without them. “Tell The Next Girl” is a more upbeat take on saying goodbye. The pop arrangement here is solid and compact; the sort of thing that back in the 1980’s would have had radio programmers drooling all over it. “Never Made It Home” is a song of heartbreak over a love affair that ends abruptly when the guy goes out and never comes back. The strings are a nice touch here, and Weaver tells the story in well-crafted lyrics against a melody that just won’t quit hanging around your brain. Weaver closes with “When I Found You”, a positive pop love song with a catchy, sweet melody. This one won’t set the pop charts ablaze, but it’s a solid pop album track with some marketing potential.
Hilary Weaver apparently knows what it takes to write a hit pop song at the age of nineteen. What’s most impressive is that Weaver isn’t trying to write hits, she simply writes what she knows in a fashion that’s honest, pure and unaffected. The melodies and hooks that Weaver puts forth on Tell The Next Girl speak very well for her future as a pop songwriter and performer. Lyrically Weaver is solid with room to grow, and her star appears to be steadily on the rise. Tell The Next Girl shows what pop music should be, returning some of the sense of innocence to a genre that has badly missed its core quality over the past decade. Hopefully Weaver can keep that sense of wonder blended with the intelligent understanding of the world and sense of self she displays here as she ascends the pop ladder.
Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)
- Wildy's World

International Festival4Stars Song Contest
"Tell the Next Girl"
Judge's Comments: Can't fault much about this song....great pop tune, well recorded, well sung, and very current and up to date sounding.

17th Annual Billboard World Song Contest:
'We're Smokin' Hot"
Judges Comments: Loads of great energy and attitude. Lyrics and concept are unique and well constructed. Excellent idea and delivery.

"Tell The Next Girl"
Judges Comments: Strong commercial appeal. Great song. Infectious and catchy.Really good dynamics/adds appeal to the song. Chorus stands apart from the rest of the song.Appealing lyrical content.

"It Can't Be With You"
Judges Comments: Lyrically well written and well thought. Strong chorus distinction. Strong commercial appeal. - Various Industry Judges

“A teenage Canadian singer/songwriter with a little angst and a little more attitude, sound familiar? Now I’m not going to fall into the trap of making comparisons with a certain other Canadian you may have heard of because I feel that this young artist deserves credit for her obvious talent in her own right. Her songs cover all the bases, being in love, being lost, not to mention a parting shot at a boy in the form of the incredibly powerful "Tell the Next Girl", a song which oozes passion, proving girl power is safe for another generation, it’s all there. Hilary’s music is good old fashioned pop that also incorporates rock attitude with a little country thrown in for good measure, delivered in a mature and powerful yet girl next door style. ‘It Can’t Be With You’ shows off an unwavering strong voice and superb song writing ability for someone so young and if ‘Put Your Hands Up’ was to gain any sort of radio air play it would no doubt be a chart hit. Hilary plans to release an album in September of ’09 and with her ability to gel well thought out and at times sensitive lyrics with catchy hooks and superb melody it can only be a matter of time before an international hit is on her hands, remember the name.’

'“Tell the Next Girl”
Potential Pop Princess from Canada, Hilary Weaver plans to release her debut album later in 2009 and “Tell the Next Girl” must surely be considered as a single release. The teenager from Ontario is in the fortunate position to have a well written and superbly performed track in her locker at such an early stage of her career. The song is a full on broadside at an ex-boyfriend whose selfishness and lies have gone a step too far. I don’t know if the song is written from first-hand experience but if Hilary’s potential lives up to this offering the said guy may live to regret his ways!

www.hubbubuk.blogspot.com - Matthhew Crist

"Song Review: "It Can't Be With You" and "Tell The Next Girl" Hilary Weaver, Singer/Songwriter

Hilary Weaver, at age 17, has already proved to us that she can write and perform well. The first thing that caught my attention were her talented and well trained vocals. She has an excellent unforced range for the two "Pop" songs we have heard. Her vocals work well with the melodies of both songs and there is a sense of commercial familiarity on the first listen. If these two songs are Hilary's first attempts, it appears she will have many successful years as a performing songwriter.

Bert Gagnon
Neon Productions Radio on Musictogousa.com
January 25, 2009. - Bert Gagnon, Neon Productions Radio

Hilary Weaver
"Tell The Next Girl"
Talented singer/songwriter Hilary Weaver is the latest export from north of the border, and she's ready to stake her claim on American radio. As an artist, Hilary Weaver may seem young, but her lryical and musical sensibilites are that of a seasoned pro. "Tell The Next Girl" is a very relatable radio effort and you'll soon see why she has garnered so many accolades in her native Canada. - Mark LaSpina

Hilary Weaver is named Rising Artist of the Month for February 2009 by www.indiemusicstop.com!! Senior Writer C.W.Ross says: "You'll be amazed at the seasoned vocals that come out of her month...I see a very bright musical future ahead for her."

"After listening to the original songs, "It Can't Be With You," and "Tell the Next Girl," from 17-year-old Canadian singer songwriter Hilary Weaver I can tell you that she is one very talented teenager. Her vocals are crisp and smooth, as she sings songs about brokenhearted love. She has a maturity that is well beyond her young age. I could easily see either one of these songs becoming big hits for her."

C.W. Ross
Senior Writer
Indie Music Stop
http://www.indiemusicstop.com
The CD Reviewer
http://www.thecdreviewer.com - www.indiemusicstop.com

Hilary Weaver is an up and coming eighteen-year-old
singer and songwriter with a passion for singing, a
lovely mesmerizing voice, and a desire to be the next
big pop star. Hilary's first CD, co-written with songwriter/
producer Mark Zubek, is set to be released in
September this year. Hilary's voice and songs are
receiving accolades and creating a buzz in the industry
and a long and promising music career is the consensus.
Hilary took time from her busy schedule to answer
questions from What If?'s music reviewer, Chelsey
Cosh.
WF: Tell me about your new album. Is it true that it's coming
out in September?
HW: Yes. My first album will be called "Tell the Next Girl"
after the first song that I co-wrote. I've been working on it
since last summer and it will be 'officially' released in
September - I am so excited to actually have a real CD of my
own! Some of the songs are already available for download at
my website, www.hilaryweaver.com. The album bases itself for
the most part around the whole aspect of being in love, breaking
up, and making the full circle of coming back around to a
happier life.
WF: You're 18, and attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts,
graduating this year, right? Considering everything going on in
your life, was graduating high school a minor accomplishment
in comparison?
HW: Yes, I just turned 18 and graduated this year in the class
of 2009 from Etobicoke School of the Arts (ESA). I spent grade
12 at ESA and was involved in a lot of cool opportunities. For
example, I performed in a full production of the musical
"Urinetown" and was able to experience another side of the
music business throughout the preparation process for that
production. This last year of high school for me was the
busiest school year of my life. The workload for school projects
was very heavy and I was constantly in the studio after
school writing and recording songs.
Graduating high school is a very important accomplishment
of which I am proud. I have been accepted to the prestigious
Berklee College of Music in Boston for January 2010.
Unfortunately I didn't get a scholarship, so I will be working
and saving.
WI: Your first song ever recorded back in 2007 was a cover of
"Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah McLachlan for a Christmas
album that your voice coach gave to her students. Would you
say that moment really showed you how far you'd come and
that you were doing well? Did you choose Sarah McLachlan
for a specific reason? Did that song have any meaning to you?
HW: I will remember that day for a very long time. I remember
it like it was yesterday. I was sitting in the waiting room to
go into a real recording studio for the first time, and I was so
nervous. This experience was the first time that I realized
what I loved and where I truly belonged. This was the point
where I finally appreciated all the vocal lessons as I was finally
able to truly hear all the hard work paying off. Julie, my
coach, picked the song for me, so I give her the credit for a
lovely song choice. Singing the song allowed me to understand
the message of appreciating the simple things in our world and
not taking them for granted.
WI: You've listed a number of Canadian artists as your influences,
such as Céline Dion and Michael Bublé. Do you think
you have a Canadian style?
...our music interview
Hilary Weaver interviewed by Chelsey Cosh
WWW.WHATIFMAGAZINE.COM 41
HW: I do not think that there is one Canadian ‘style’.
Personally, I believe that each individual artist has their own
style and don't believe it is based on your country of origin.
Canadian artists are obviously my first influences as they are
from my home. I have grown up loving Celine Dion. Her
amazing voice just moves me. I went to see her perform
at the Air Canada Centre; she stood on
stage alone at one point, in the centre of that
huge place, and sang and it was just aweinspiring!
WI: Your school choir performed
three shows at Broadway Rocks at
Roy Thomson Hall with the
Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Most school choirs get to see the
Orchestra, not be part of the show
themselves. How do you think the
opportunities you've had at school
have benefited you? Did you ever
wish you were elsewhere, at a standard
high school?
HW: The opportunities I received
from ESA were extremely beneficial to
me as a musician. They allowed me to
know the real expectations in the music industry
and to gain professionalism as well. I actually
started my high school journey at Lawrence Park CI, then
changed schools to Vaughan Road Academy in the Interact
program and then finally made my way to Etobicoke School of
the Arts for my last year of high school. Throughout the year
I was at ESA, I really did want to go back to Vaughan as that's
where all my close friends were. However, I was able to take
advantage of the amazing opportunities I was given and still
managed to stay close with my closest friends.
WI: "Tell the Ne - What If - Teen Magazine

"Pop music is a lot harder than it sounds. Sure, writing a pop song is pretty easy... most of them follow the same structure, use the same sort of chords, have the same rhythm, etc. But writing a GOOD pop song, well, that's a lot harder.

The reason? It's almost impossible to define what makes one pop song a hit and another one a miss.

Hilary Weavers' music has all of the typical elements of pop music that you've heard before: lyrics about boys, love, and finding your way in the world.... clean vocal sections followed up by a quick 'through-the-telephone-sounding' section, then back to the 'open' sound... not a lot of surprises or twists or turns.

Which is, again, what MAKES pop music so tough: you can't stray too far from the formulas, or else you'll be too obscure for the radio, but sticking to the formulas can make it sound boring. So penning a successful song means it has to fit right into that special 'pocket,' where the elements are put together in that very special way, known to all of us, around the world, as 'a hit.'

I wouldn't say that any of these songs fit into that pocket, but damn, do they come close. "Tell the Next Girl" sounds like it could be one of the songs that almost made it onto an Avril album... and by almost, I mean THIS close.

Hilary is OBVIOUSLY a talented, creative performer and songwriter. Her voice is strong, pure, and unwavering. It's only a matter of time before the voice and the songwriting combine to hit that pocket perfectly, at which point, she'll have a hit on her hands.

If this performer sticks to her guns, relaxes a little bit vocally, and shows her personality, she could very well find her self on stage in front of a lot of fans for the long haul.

Standout: Tell the Next Girl"

http://canadianbandreviews.blogspot.com/2009/02/hilary-weaver.html
- Canadian Band Reviews

Even though it is no secret that the Camp Rock Revisited concert, which takes place today at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, will not feature the original talents, manager Jamie Shear assures the performances by the Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana and Demi Lovato tribute acts are "pretty darn close".

"It entails a full replication of what you would see if you saw the Jonas Brothers live, with Demi Lovato opening the show and the closing with Hannah Montana," he said yesterday.

"They're not the real thing but we like to make it like the real thing."

Shear says the group members, all from Canada, were put together a year ago after auditions were held. They have been touring extensively in the United States and Canada and this is their first tour outside of those two countries.

Eighteen-year-old Hilary Weaver has had success as a Hannah Montana impersonator at birthday parties and decided to take her act to a larger forum.

"I really enjoy her music and being her and everything. It seemed like a great opportunity. I've been singing since I was nine years old and doing my own music."

A bubbly Joanna Arlotta looks astonishingly close to her alter ego, Demi Lovato.

"I'm just myself on stage with just a lot more high heel shoes," she smiled.

The Jonas Brothers tribute band consists of Nick Lopes, Taylor Brockelsby and Adrian Pantalone, who play Kevin, Joe and Nick, respectively.

Brockelsby says the wildest thing that has happened to the group is the fan response after a show.

"We signed one teenage girl's flip-flops." Pointing to a pair of red sunglasses, he continued: "Those were given to me at a show. A little girl held them up to me and made me put them on. We've signed cellphones, personal belongings like stuffed animals... I'm just a kid doing a job so it's kinda cool and a good feeling."

Following the performance, the group returns to Canada, and, from there, will continue tours across that country and the United States.
- Trinidad and Tobago Newspaper

"Pop music is a lot harder than it sounds. Sure, writing a pop song is pretty easy... most of them follow the same structure, use the same sort of chords, have the same rhythm, etc. But writing a GOOD pop song, well, that's a lot harder.

The reason? It's almost impossible to define what makes one pop song a hit and another one a miss.

Hilary Weavers' music has all of the typical elements of pop music that you've heard before: lyrics about boys, love, and finding your way in the world.... clean vocal sections followed up by a quick 'through-the-telephone-sounding' section, then back to the 'open' sound... not a lot of surprises or twists or turns.

Which is, again, what MAKES pop music so tough: you can't stray too far from the formulas, or else you'll be too obscure for the radio, but sticking to the formulas can make it sound boring. So penning a successful song means it has to fit right into that special 'pocket,' where the elements are put together in that very special way, known to all of us, around the world, as 'a hit.'

I wouldn't say that any of these songs fit into that pocket, but damn, do they come close. "Tell the Next Girl" sounds like it could be one of the songs that almost made it onto an Avril album... and by almost, I mean THIS close.

Hilary is OBVIOUSLY a talented, creative performer and songwriter. Her voice is strong, pure, and unwavering. It's only a matter of time before the voice and the songwriting combine to hit that pocket perfectly, at which point, she'll have a hit on her hands.

If this performer sticks to her guns, relaxes a little bit vocally, and shows her personality, she could very well find her self on stage in front of a lot of fans for the long haul.

Standout: Tell the Next Girl"

http://canadianbandreviews.blogspot.com/2009/02/hilary-weaver.html
- Canadian Band Reviews

It Can't Be With You - Awarded Top Ten!! Assessed title and hook, originality, lyrics, rhyme, melody, composition/structure, and imagery/poetics/metaphors: Very strong effort with a memorable hook and catchy chorus melody. Lyrics are well crafted and consistent. You have all the elements of a hit song. Very nice job indeed!

Tell the Next Girl - Awarded Top Ten!! Assessed Once again, you have a very strong song that could be a hit. Lyrics, hook, melody and structure are all solid. You have a bright future ahead of you!

Put Your Hands Up - Category winner - Pop!!! Outstanding job!! Great lyrics, catchy and well crafted. Superb vocal performance. Good melodies in verse and chorus. Strong chorus hook. Very creative arrangement, good instrumental performances, an extremely well put together tune. Loved it!! - Mike Pinder, Moody Blues

"Hilary Weaver is an up and coming singer/songwriter. Her lyrics are strong, yet soft. Her songs send out tonnes of emotion.

You can hear her musical influences in her songs, such as Sarah McLachlan, and Norah Jones. However, not in an overwhelming way. Like a little spice to a simple, yet delicious recipe.

She has great vocal range and you can clearly hear plenty of genres in her music and singing style. It is Pop, with undertones of rock, punk, and country. Any fan of these types of music is sure to become an instant fan of Hilary Weaver’s talent.

I can imagine listening to “Put Your Hands Up” or “It Can’t Be With You” climb on a top 40 list. Her lyrics are catchy, yet understanding. It’s easy to relate to her feelings, and songs.

The industry is over saturated with musicians that all sound the same. However, in Hilary’s case, she has a freshness about her. Although Hilary is young and it's early in her career, with songs like, “Tell The Next Girl” that is a very typical emotion to most teenage girls, which makes it that much better.

Requests for her songs will be no doubt all over the radio as soon as the rest of Canada, and other regions throughout the world catch on.

Keep up the great work Hilary, and I am looking forward to the CD release this coming September."
- Rachelle Ford Staff Writer