INTERVIEW:
iamhill
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FROM Belgium; it is off to Canada…
so I can catch up with imahill - it has been a little while since I featured her last. She talks to me about her new single, GIAR (Give It a Rest), and the story behind it; what we can expect from the GIAR E.P.; why a particularly destructive lifestyle pattern forced the artists to take a step back; what the music scene is like in Canada right now – and whether iamhill will come to the U.K. soon.
I ask iamhill about her musical upbringing and inspirations; why she recorded her latest E.P. in a series of late-night sessions; the new artists we should be connected with; whether there are any goals for this year – if daily life and movements impact and inspire her musical creativity.
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Hey. How are you? How has your week been?
Hey. I’m good! I had a great week making music with some incredible artists.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?
I am Hill. I’m a Canadian independent artist - and I make Experimental-Soul music.
Tell me about GIAR (Give It a Rest) and its writing. What inspired the song?
GIAR was written in a bit of a daze? I was just singing gibberish and it became a song on its own. I realized what I wanted to say very late into writing it. It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, I guess. Lyrics are from the perspective of someone being suppressed by patriarchy.
Take that how you will…
It appears you were going through burnout during that time! Was it helpful writing and finding some perspective?
Yeah; sometimes space and creative time are really powerful for evolution and, when you’re making things for yourself, it is incredibly rewarding...it gives back.
Do you think, in a way, you were losing a sense of perspective and control?! Going to nightclubs and partying until 4 A.M. – was there a moment you felt like you needed to take a step back?
Yes. It can escalate quickly when your lifestyle is that unhealthy. I’m grateful that I had good people around me in the times when I was being an asshole.
They reminded me what matters.
GIAR is from the E.P. of the same name. What can you reveal about the other songs/themes that will be addressed?
A few have already been released! Weak and On Camera are both already available online: the rest, you’ll have to wait for. There’s a lot of music I need to release over these next few years...
It’s built up...
I believe the material (for the E.P.) was recorded during the early hours. Was this the most productive time to record? What sort of technology and instruments did you use when recording?
Not really the best time to record when you live in an apartment building - but I don’t think anyone was living above me at the time; so I lucked out and didn’t get any noise complaints. I work in Protools and recorded using native instruments, and my Oberheim synth, for GIAR. Other music, I’ve made with my pals Giordan Postorino, Morgan Gold and Fred Brenton - and a lot of my stuff I made with Mike Schlosser in Toronto.
How much inspiration do you take from day-to-day life? Do beats and rhythms come to you when you least expect?
Beats and rhythms happen in the studio: lyrics and melodies often happen when I’m driving, which is annoying. Ha! But; I’ve learned to write on the spot by now, so I can produce whenever I need to.
I don’t need to wait for inspiration (unless I’m exhausted…).
You are based in Canada. What is the scene like where you are? Do you think Canada is producing some of the best artists around?!
Canada is the fuck*ng best. I love my hometown of Edmonton - it is stacked with talent.
Which artists did you grow up to? Did you bond with music fairly young?
Yes, very young - but I grew up on (only) radio and Disney music until I moved away for college.
Then, the world opened up to me…
IN THIS PHOTO: 6LACK/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?
What I’m listening to right now is 6LACK; Billie Eilish and Blastfamous USA.
IN THIS PHOTO: Billie Eilish/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
If you had to choose the three albums that mean the most to you; which would they be and why?
James Blake – James Blake
Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
BANKS - Goddess
Because I love them in their entirety - and they changed the way I digest music.
Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?
You can catch me at SXSW this March.
Will you come to the U.K. soon? Have you performed here before?
I haven’t, but as soon as I’m able...I’ll be there.
Any New Year’s resolutions made this year? What do you hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?
In 2018; I’m going to learn to code; play more guitar and travel to Asia for the first time.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
N.E.R.D. (ft. Rihanna) – Lemon
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