Erin Hill
Hill at the Abbey Road on the River Festival in 2019
Hill at the Abbey Road on the River Festival in 2019
Background information
Birth nameErin Kathleen Hill
BornLouisville, Kentucky, US
GenresRock, pop, celtic, opera
Occupation(s)Harpist, singer, songwriter, musician, actress
Instrument(s)Harp, keyboards, electric bass, upright bass, guitar, flute, fiddle, recorder, percussion, accordion, drums, hammered dulcimer, theremin, hurdy-gurdy, saxophone
Years active1997–present
LabelsGridley Records, Cleopatra Records
Websiteerinhill.com

Erin Hill is an American harpist, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actress. Her Celtic album hit #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart[1] and she has played and sung with Kanye West, Cyndi Lauper, Moby, Sinéad O'Connor, Enya, a-ha, Randy Newman, Jewel, Josh Groban, and many other celebrities, as well as Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and for royalty.[2]

As an actress, she has appeared on Broadway,[3] film, and television,[4] most notably as the Pretty White Girl Who Sings Dave's Thoughts on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show.[5] She originated the roles of Kate Mullins in Titanic on Broadway, and of Lulu in the Sam Mendes/Rob Marshall revival of Cabaret and appears on both Original Broadway Cast recordings. She played Sandra Mescal in the Tim Robbins film Cradle Will Rock and appears on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. She is an actor, composer and screenwriter in the film Clear Blue Tuesday, about which the New York Times said: "Erin Hill, as a giddy, harp-playing Trekker, stands out… The best and funniest scene in the film is Ms. Hill's".[6]

The Los Angeles record label Cleopatra Records has released three of Hill's albums, starting with Harp Town in 2016. Harp Town features Hill's harp and voice arrangements of songs by artists such as Rihanna, Radiohead, The Beatles, Sinatra, Leonard Cohen, Edith Piaf, Adele, Lady Gaga, Smashing Pumpkins, Kansas, Alicia Keys, Roxy Music, and Kate Bush. Cleopatra also released Hill's album Christmas Harp, and her album of originals, Girl Inventor.

Hill is an avid science fiction fan and a regular performer at Dragon Con in Atlanta, and her "Lookout, Science" and "Giant Mushrooms" music videos were featured in the Dragon Con Independent Film Festival.[7] USA Today premiered her sci-fi music video "Lookout, Science". Her westie dog MacLeod (named for the main character in the film Highlander) is a frequent co-star in her music videos.[8] Her three electric harps are named V’ger (from Star Trek), Klaatu (from The Day the Earth Stood Still), and Ylla (from The Martian Chronicles).

Hill was featured in an HBO Game of Thrones promo, playing the Game of Thrones theme on her harp.[9] She won an Independent Music Award for her song "Stun," from her Girl Inventor album.[10] and she did Original Music and Sound Design for the Drama Desk Award-nominated That Play: a Solo Macbeth.[11] Hill is also the voice and harp behind Tafne, a central character in the Android video game The Legacy of Barubash.[12] Hill has also played her harp several years for the US Open Tennis Championships in the exclusive Hospitality Pavilion. Newsday has called her "the dangerously enjoyable Erin Hill."[13]

In 2019, she debuted her show “Harp Oddity: The Music of David Bowie,” featuring Hill's arrangements of Bowie tunes on vocals and electric harp, along with her band.[14]

Discography

Hill performing at Joe's Pub, NYC in 2019
  • I'm So Glad by Erin Hill (March 2019) Gridley Records. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, harp, percussion
  • Pirate Jane (feat. Erin Hill) by The Peter Ulrich Collaboration (March 2018) City Canyons. Erin Hill: vocals, bass.
  • Girl Inventor by Erin Hill (July 2017) Cleopatra. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, harp, keyboards, bass.
  • Christmas Harp by Erin Hill (October 2016) Cleopatra. Erin Hill: vocals, harp, arrangements.
  • Harp Town by Erin Hill (May 2016) Cleopatra. Erin Hill: vocals, harp, arrangements.
  • Tempus Fugitives by The Peter Ulrich Collaboration (April 2015) City Canyons. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, harp, bass.
  • Dark Daddy (feat. Erin Hill) by The Peter Ulrich Collaboration (November 2014) City Canyons. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, harp, bass.
  • World of Nickhoo by The Dream Jam Band (April 2014) Dream Jam Productions. Erin Hill: vocals, harp
  • Let It Snow by Jewel (September 2013) Somerset Group, Ltd. Erin Hill: harp
  • Clear Blue Tuesday (Soundtrack for the Original Musical Movie) (August 2010) by Various Artists. Sh-K-Boom Records. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, harp, bass.
  • Leave it in the Soup (July 2010) by The Dream Jam Band. Dream Jam Productions, EMI. Produced by Rick Chertoff. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, bass, harp, keyboards; arranger on Shoes, co-producer on Melanie the Mermaid
  • Four Leaf Clover by Four Celtic Voices with Celeste Ray & Erin Hill (2009) Gridley Records. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, harp, bass.
  • Vapor by Taylor Barton with Wicked Felina (2006) Green Mirror. Produced by G.E. Smith. Erin Hill: co-writer, vocals, harp, guitar, keyboards, hammered dulcimer.
  • The Fantasticks (2006) Ghostlight Records/ Razor and Tie. The new Off-Broadway recording. Erin Hill: harpist.
  • Martha Wainwright by Martha Wainwright (2005) Zoe Records. Erin Hill: harpist.[15]
  • Pyjama Party by Frederic Buchet (2005) Gridley Records. Erin Hill: producer, co-writer, vocals, harp, accordion, hammered dulcimer, analog synths.
  • Frost as Desired by Erin Hill (2002) Gridley Records. Erin Hill: songwriter, vocals, guitars, harp, synths.
  • I See a Great City by Clan Chi (2002) Crisnjoco. Erin Hill: vocalist
  • Pretty Flowers by The Buddy Scott Trio (2002) Gridley Records. Erin Hill: vocals, executive producer.
  • Great Musicals by Various Artists (2001) RCA, BMG Entertainment. Erin Hill: vocals.
  • Cradle Will Rock (1999) RCA. Motion picture soundtrack, directed by Tim Robbins. Erin Hill: vocals.[16]
  • Cabaret (1998) RCA. The new Broadway cast recording, directed by Sam Mendes. Erin Hill: vocals, harp, flute, saxophone.
  • Night of the Hunter (1998) Varèse Sarabande. Erin Hill: vocals.[17]
  • Titanic (1997) RCA Victor. The Original Broadway Cast Recording. Erin Hill: vocals.
  • Honkytonk Highway (1996) Original Cast Recording. Erin Hill: vocals, harp, fiddle, lap steel, guitar, bass, percussion, keyboards, saxophone.[18]

Filmography

Hill with one of her Celtic harps
Year Film Role Notes
2013 A Day in the Wife Jenna directed by Katie Pawluk
2013 Jerome's Bouquet Good Samaritan #1 directed by Chris Calkins, Bebe Neuwirth
2009 Clear Blue Tuesday Etta Cummins also screenwriter and composer[19]
2009 Red Hook Westie Girl[20] uncredited
2000 Loser Dancer / Lulu uncredited
1999 Cradle Will Rock Sandra Mescal directed by Tim Robbins
1993 24 Frames per Second Susan Tiptree[21] CINE Eagle Award, IAC Gold

Television

Hill before her Harp Oddity: The Music of David Bowie show at The Cutting Room, NYC, 2019
Year Title Role Notes
2019 The Today Show herself harpist & singer for Meghan Markle[22]
2019 Good Morning America herself harpist & singer for Meghan Markle[23]
2018 Articulate (TV Series) herself – singer, duet with Taylor Mac episode: The Wildest Dreamers
2018 Million Dollar Listing New York (TV Series) harpist
2015 Don't Touch Me, Bro harpist
2008 The Sunny Side Up Show Erin the Red episode: Chica's Big Birthday Surprise!
2007 Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate Crisis herself harpist for Kanye West
2007 Education of Kanye Part 1 herself harpist
2007 Education of Kanye Part 2 herself harpist
2007 106 Park & Live herself harpist for Kanye West
2007 MTV Total Request Live herself harpist for Kanye West
2007 American Masters Rose of Sharon episode: Novel Reflections: The American Dream
2006 Christmas in Rockefeller Center herself backup singer for Enya
2004 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire herself 2 episodes
2004 Broadway the American Musical Sandra Mescal episode: I Got Plenty o' Nuttin': 1929–1942
2003 Chappelle's Show Pretty White Lady Singing Episode 1.2, also wrote the music for the skit
1998 Late Show with David Letterman Lulu
1998 The 52nd Annual Tony Awards Lulu original Broadway cast of Cabaret
1998 The Rosie O'Donnell Show herself 2 episodes
1997 60 Minutes herself/The Devil's Bride in Randy Newman's Faust episode: TV Land Legends: The 60 Minutes Interviews
1997 Macy's 21st Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular Kate Mullins
1997 The 51st Annual Tony Awards Kate Mullins original Broadway cast of Titanic
1992 Another World Annie appeared in 7 episodes

Stage

Hill rehearsing in the studio
Hill rehearsing in the studio

Broadway

Year Production Role Notes
2001 Urinetown Hope, Little Sally (understudy)[24] Henry Miller Theater, original cast
1998 Cabaret Lulu[25] Roundabout, Henry Miller Theater, original cast, directed by Sam Mendes
1997 Titanic Kate Mullins[26] Lunt-Fontanne, original cast

Off-Broadway and regional theater

Year Production Role Notes
2013 A Midsummer Night's Dream First Fairy/Robin Starveling Classic Stage Company, starring Bebe Neuwirth, Anthony Heald, Christina Ricci
2010 Lincoln Center's South Pacific Harpist, Rehearsal Pianist 1st National Tour (Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Toronto, etc.)
2010 Lil's 90th Musical Director Long Wharf Theater, starring Lois Smith
2008 Lil's 90th Deirdre Sundance Theater Lab, starring Lois Smith
2006 The Fantasticks Harpist The Jerry Orbach Theater, Snapple Theater Center, the Off-Broadway revival
2006 The Difficulty of Crossing a Field Mrs. Williamson Ridge Theater, Alexander Kasser Theater opera
2004 People Are Wrong! Teri Vineyard Theatre
2002 When It's Cocktail Time in Cuba Anya Cherry Lane Theatre
2001 Largo Leila New York Stage and Film, also starring Cyndi Lauper, Fisher Stevens
2000 Spring Awakening Ilse Sundance Theater Lab
2000 Night Governess Chloe McCarter Theater, world premiere
1999 A Little Night Music Petra Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Great Lakes Theater Festival
1996 Between the Sheets Lilly Playwright's Collective, world premiere, by Eduardo Machado
1995 Randy Newman's Faust The Devil's Bride Goodman Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, and American Place Theater (Lincoln Center workshop)
1994 Rent Brenda, Blockbuster Woman, student New York Theatre Workshop
1994 Night of the Hunter Ruby Vineyard Theatre
1993 Honkytonk Highway Jenine-Kate Don't Tell Mama, Goodspeed-at-Chester, won Bistro Award

Screenwriter

Soundtrack (film and television)

  • Jes and Lora (Short) (2015) performer: "I'm So Glad", writer: "I'm So Glad"
  • That's What She Told Me (2011) composer. writer: "The Jubilation," "Silver Feet," "No Other You." performer: "The Jubilation", "Silver Feet"
  • Clear Blue Tuesday (2009) writer, performer: "Prologue", "Reckless". co-writer: "Move High"
  • A Mock Time: A Star Trek Wedding (2007) writer: "Intro: Mock's Brain" and "Main Theme: The Bridegroom of Gothos"
  • The Shabbos Bigfoot (2006) writer: "Waking Up and No Other You". Performer: "Waking Up and No Other You"
  • American Desi (2001) writer: "Lolita (Lo and Behold)". "Performer: Lolita (Lo and Behold)"
  • $pent (2000) writer: "Do it Yourself". Performer: "Do it Yourself"
  • Bad Bride (2000) (TV) writer, performer: "Waking Up".
  • So, What's in Jericho? (1999) performer: "Precious Memories"
  • Cradle Will Rock (1999) performer: "Let's Do Something", "The Cradle Will Rock", "Honolulu", "Oh What a Filthy Night Court", "Art for Art's Sake"
  • The 52nd Annual Tony Awards (1998) (TV) performer: "Willkommen"
  • Macy's 21st Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular (1997) (TV) "performer: Lady's Maid"
  • The 51st Annual Tony Awards (1997) (TV) "performer: Ship of Dreams"

References

  1. ↑ "Four Leaf Clover #1 in the Billboard World Albums chart". Billboard Top 200. Billboard.com. May 2, 2009. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  2. ↑ "People". Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Erin Hill on IMDB". Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Erin Hill on IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Pretty White Girl Sings Dave's Thoughts". Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  6. ↑ "A Post-9/11 Pop Musical". Mike Hale. New York Times. September 2, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival". Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  8. ↑ Kiefer, Jennifer (April 5, 2019). "Rock Harpist Erin Hill Comes Home". Louisville.com.
  9. ↑ "Game of Thrones: Season 3 – Theme Song Mash-up (HBO)". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 1, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Erin Hill & her Psychedelic Harp". Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  11. ↑ "That Play A Solo Macbeth" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 12, 2014. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Live Harp Recording Session". Kactus Games. February 2, 2013. Archived from the original on March 15, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Sensual, ingenious 'Midsummer' enchants". Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  14. ↑ Hoffman, Barbara (October 22, 2019). "This David Bowie-loving harpist has a wild link to Dave Chappelle". NYPost.com.
  15. ↑ "Martha Wainwright on Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Cradle Will Rock on IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  17. ↑ "Night of the Hunter on Castalbums". Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  18. ↑ "Honkytonk Highway on Castalbums". Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  19. ↑ "Clear Blue Tuesday on IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  20. ↑ "full cast page for Red Hood on IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  21. ↑ "24 Frames Per Second page on IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  22. ↑ "TODAY". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Good Morning America". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Urinetown page on IBDB". Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Cabaret page on IBDB". Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Titanic page on IBDB". Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Fade to White movie official website". Archived from the original on December 17, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.