Penny Hill is the stage name of one of Norman’s beloved singer/songwriters Hilary Pitchlynn. By herself or teamed up with some wonderfully talented friends, Hilary bends hearts with her beautiful, willowy voice. That’s the best way I know how to describe it.

Where are you from?
I’m from Norman town, born and raised.

What do you do?
I do the bulk herb inventory and stocking, transport recyclables to the center and work a couple of shifts every week at the Earth Natural Foods Store. I also pick up two kids from school everyday and hang with them until their parents finish work. I pretty much work in a barter system… trade for rent, trade for car, trade for food pretty much. I like to keep things as simple as possible.

Who or what do you use for inspiration?
I use anything and everything for inspiration. Often I find myself writing songs about other people’s lives: their joy, pain, trials and triumphs. When I do that I usually end up writing the song about me and my life (I’m kinda vain like that I guess). Mainly people inspire me though. Life is really really hard sometimes, but everyone has to live… no one is a victim, or we’re all victims of the same tragedies. I believe what we see in others is always a reflection of ourselves. Plus it’s easy to be inspired by people when I know so many cool ones.

What artists do you respect right now?
I really respect independent artists who work day jobs and just make music and art because they have to or they’d die. I feel that way about my music, but sometimes when I’m not so productive in my work I want to stop. I can tell myself I’m awful at what I do and I’ll never get anywhere. Then I realize I am here right now. Where else would I go? What else would I do? I respect artists who just do it no matter what.

What are you sick of?
I’m really sick of perfectionism – my own mainly. I’m sick of overanalyzing my performance. I’m SUPER sick of being compared to any other female singer songwriter just because I’m a woman. I’d like to think we’re all different enough to stand alone. I mean how many times have I gone to a bar to watch a band and it’s all the same skinny white boys from the night before and the night before that. For some reason no one connects them together because it’s either reggae or rock or drum and bass or whatever. They get a genre but for some reason we women have to be in our own genre.

What music are you listening to recently?
Shit. Music? I hate the stuff. No, but really I don’t listen to nearly as much music as I could. I spend quite a bit of time sitting on my bed staring at the wall before I turn my head and realize I have an ipod full of songs and a player to hear them through. I mainly listen to music at the store, but if I choose to put on the tunes it will generally be some folk. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, all the greats. I like to use music to manipulate my moods. If I’m sad I always put on subdued rainy weather stuff. When I’m happy I put on something bigger, sometimes even something made within the last ten years. If you’re looking for musical influences I would name Ani Difranco and Kaki King (shame on me, those are both women). These women set me free from my expectations of what the guitar should sound like when I play. I am forever grateful for these musicians and have even been blessed enough to see both of them live.

What is your first creative memory?
I used to draw carrots a lot. I suppose I thought that I drew really good carrots so I just always drew bright orange carrots popping out of the ground. I remember making up songs all the time for sure, belting it out at the top of my lungs while jumping over cracks or weaving through parking meters. I also made frequent appearances in my sister’s home made movies. She would write the script and I’d act it out. I adored her (adore her) and would do anything she wanted. I think it was called “the Ashley and Hilary Show.”

What is your favorite food/drank spot in Norman?
The Earth Cafe and Deli, for sure. I’ve probably eaten there more than anyone. Seriously, I challenge you to find someone who goes there more than I do.

Anything else?
I think I might have overextended my middle finger typing all of this and I can’t think of a single other thing to say. I don’t do well without prompts.

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