The SMCC student and artist finds her way back to Casco Bay

This article was a collaboration between Slade Moore and David Mulungula.

Antoinette Hinitt is not your average Southern Maine Community College student. Yes, she’s enrolled in the Communications and New Media Studies Program and a member of The Beacon staff. But she’s also riding high on the success of two song releases in the past three months. Both have garnered praise and airplay on local radio station WCLZ.

Born in Houston but raised locally, it’s hard to miss the deep sense of place in Antoinette’s lovingly crafted tunes. There’s also a bittersweet quality¬—themes of longing, resignation, and ultimately, resolve. She recorded both Casco Bay and Silver Things across the harbor at The Studio Portland and there’s more material on in the way. We caught up with Antoinette to learn more about her musical pursuits, inspiration, and what’s next for the nineteen-year-old artist.

How would you classify the style of music you create?

ANTOINETTE: I’m a singer/songwriter that falls somewhere within the indie/folk/pop genres.

Why music, instead of the other arts?

ANTOINETTE: It’s the one thing that feels most natural to me. The whole process of watching an idea for a song turn into a whole production is the best feeling ever. Nothing gives me a better high than making music that feels like a solid reflection of myself.

Your song Casco Bay evokes such diverse imagery and emotions. Tell us about your experience writing it.

ANTOINETTE: I wrote Casco Bay, my very first release, on the floor of my dorm in Nashville, TN just before I was getting ready to move back to Maine. I was experiencing conflicting emotions about leaving that city and coming back to something so familiar. I completed the song a few days later when I returned to Maine, and everything that I thought would feel so familiar, felt so different. About a month later, I brought it into the studio, and after the first day of recording, I specifically remember going out to my car and screaming with joy. This was the first thing since moving home that just felt right. It felt like everything was starting to fall into place.

So, with two singles out there, can we expect any videos?

ANTOINETTE: Yes, I co-directed my music video for Casco Bay.

ANTOINETTE: To be honest, I had no expectations for my first release. It simply felt like the starting point. I was surprised when 98.9 WCLZ started playing Casco Bay. The first time I heard it on the radio was another one of those moments of thrill. It’s ridiculous, but I can’t help but think they’re doing some kind of charity work by playing a random young girl’s song, and that the hosts are just the nicest people ever. I’m still working on telling myself that it’s real and that my music deserves to be listened to.

Can you name one of your inspirations?

ANTOINETTE: There’s a lot of people who inspire me, but as of now, I’d say Maggie Rogers is an artist that encapsulates a lot of what I aspire to be. I like how her writing style is folky while her production is more pop.

You’re an independent artist. Is that by choice?

ANTOINETTE: I am an independent artist and as of right now, it works best for me. I am a college student and I work at the same time, so I don’t think I have the freedom to have a manager setting me up for events and having deadlines that I need to meet. At the same time, I could argue that having a manager would be super helpful so I wouldn’t have to worry about doing all the emailing and scheduling on my own. Right now, I feel good about where I stand and the low-stress environment I have created for myself.

How do you define success as an artist?

ANTOINETTE: Feeling good about what you’re making and continuing to have that rush of satisfaction that I previously described.

Who or what gives you motivation?

ANTOINETTE: I am my biggest motivation. I just want a younger version of myself to think, “Wow, she’s freaking cool.”

Did you ever think about quitting music?

ANTOINETTE: I studied music at college in Nashville for one semester, and quickly learned that a degree in music didn’t feel necessary for me. Music is something that is so personal and organic to me. It’s something that doesn’t deserve to be morphed into something it’s not, or to be structured to work as a money-making machine. I would never call my decision to stop studying music in college “quitting music.” So, no I haven’t.

What’s the biggest challenge artists face in the music industry?

ANTOINETTE: I don’t know if I can speak for other artists, but the hardest thing for me is figuring out what I’m willing to do to pursue a career in the music industry. I’m not sure how much of my lifestyle that I’m willing to sacrifice. All I know is that I love it, and nothing makes me feel more confident and in tune with myself.

Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?

ANTOINETTE: I see myself continuing to release music and working on other creative projects relating to my brand.

Any new music in the works?

ANTOINETTE: I am in the recording process now, and I’m set to release a full EP of five songs before the new year.

What’s the best way for people to access your music?

ANTOINETTE: You can access my music on all streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon, and pretty music whatever platform you have access to.