Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with The Hill
The Hill is an Americana artist from Philadelphia, PA. The project is founded upon the songs of Jon Kowit, a former indie label partner, record store employee and music junkie, who had been writing songs for decades, but had never released music before creating The Hill. Two 12 song LPs followed, the latest is called Noble Station.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I was really young, maybe 6 or 7 and I asked my mother to buy me Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits Volume 1. And, I really don’t know why, no one listened to him in my house, but maybe I had just heard the name. The poster that came with that album was on my wall my whole childhood and that album started a massive vinyl collection.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I recall writing some songs before I could play any instruments, so something was there from way back. I just admired certain songwriters (Jackson Browne, Cat Stevens, Neil Young) and how their songs could make me feel.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I had been behind the scenes with some great indie artists, on the business side, but was also writing songs that I mainly played for my dogs and patient girlfriends. The songs seemed to be getting a bit better, so I thought it was time to hear them with a full complement of musicians and got lucky to run into Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner, who produced the debut album (he also plays multiple instruments on it). We just continued with more songs and the 2nd album Noble Station emerged.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I guess melodic, abstract paintings done in Americana, folk & country,
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
It simply has to flow kinda magically, and if you force creativity it’s probably not gonna sound very good.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Nothing too special on my end. I think having Slo-Mo and his lap/pedal steel guitars on the albums is the secret weapon for The Hill. He’s a real craftsman.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I love the latest two LPs from Caamp , Jeff Tweedy’s new album, and Josh Rouse’s tune “Honey don’t think.”
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
How could they not. Yeah, I think different relationships and chapters of my life influence all the writing. I certainly have not been unscathed, so it comes through in the music.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Hopefully they hear some heart, some pain, some confusion, some hope and some wisdom. But, ideally it paints a slightly different picture for every individual.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
For me it’s a breakthrough simply to share it; so it taught me to be less afraid to express myself.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Red Rocks in Colorado.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Jackson Browne and Jules Shear come to mind. Their songs run a little deeper for me. Maybe a past artist would be Gram Parsons or Lowell George.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
The best way is to start here: https://linktr.ee/thehillmusic In hindsight the artist/project name makes the music hard to find, but there’s a story behind it that connects me back to Mike decades ago, so it was chosen for that reason.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Really hard to know, I’m waiting on a creative wave like the one that spawned the two back to back albums.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Honesty and imagination.
