Meet the Musician: Ginny Hill, Vocalist for The Perfectionists

This post profiles Ginny Hill, a Flashband musician who has participated in two Showcases. She’s a vocalist for The Perfectionists, who have been playing together since September 2014. 

Playing music in DC is fantastic for one primary reason: Bands become friends with one another. The Perfectionists (my band) got our first gig because we met another band that practiced at our old studio (shout-out to One World!). As you meet cool, talented people, you might invite their band to open for yours or refer them to a gig that you can’t do. It’s like a family and there’s room for many of us to succeed. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my first Flashband experience. I participated in the Number One’s showcase in May 2015. Our band’s name was Kiss My Brass since we had a kick-ass horn section. (Can I say "kick-ass" on this blog?!)

I thought I would be intimidated at the initial jam, but everyone was so welcoming and supportive. The initial improv jam broke the ice and got everyone thinking creatively. Everything just flowed from there, and forming the band was easy. I met musicians with whom I had chemistry, and then it was just a matter of practicing together and on our own. 

Our showcase performance was amazing. We practiced at a “bronze” level and performed “gold!” We all walked off stage and said, “What just happened?!” Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was hard work… It was amazing to walk off stage and feel like we really came together as a band!

If I had to give advice to Flashband newbies, I’d say to be supportive and specific. Being supportive means encouraging and helpful to those in your band AND those in the other bands. It means supporting their music and seeing their future performances after the showcase is over. 

Being specific means offering constructive insights on how someone can get better. We are all amateurs here, so let’s be honest with each other about how to improve and progress with our music.

Flashband teaches you to let go of control and be creative. It’s about compromising and taking the best of everyone’s ideas to create the best show possible. And, you’ve got to have faith in yourself and the people you’re on stage with; there’s no time for second-guessing. That’s a really valuable lesson for any performer!