Hillsboro, emerging in 2019 from the depths of the Pacific Northwest, brings forth a raw and unorthodox musical journey.
Nima Walker's initial bedroom demos evolved into a distinctive blend of bone-buzzing distortion, haunting violin wizardry courtesy of Dexter Hodgins, and an infectious rhythm section comprising Oliver Hollingshead, Tucker Hoey, and Samuel Wells. Their live prowess, lauded as the best in their local scene, has seen them open for notable acts and earned them The Zone's Band of the Month accolades.
Their music provides an outlet for catharsis and vulnerability, echoing the turmoil of today's world while offering a glimmer of escape. Their sound celebrates the thrill of narrowly avoiding disaster and shares it openly with a community unafraid to confront pain, making Hillsboro a compelling force in the contemporary music landscape.
Being the antidote to indie music's predictable confines, their latest single, "Dissolve," from the self-titled debut album "HILLSBORO," is a thrilling testament to their boundary-pushing ethos. This edgy and melodic indie-pop rock band isn't here to play it safe. They've just dropped a mesmerizing music video for "Dissolve," a visual spectacle.
"Dissolve" delves deep into the melodrama of '90s emo and grungy pop, carving out a sonic space where Hillsboro thrives on extremes. Frontman Nima Walker's journey of assembling journal entries and drum machine-laden demos over three turbulent years culminated in this unapologetically maximalist masterpiece. The band's unconventional approach of recording instrumentally before deciding on lyrics pays off in spades, allowing their ethereal fiddle melodies to shine.
Hillsboro's collective synergy is undeniable. They eschew traditional guitar heroics in favor of a tight-knit unit, allowing Walker and drummer Oliver Holingshead's textured production to envelop their recordings. This refreshing DIY approach sets them apart from the indie crowd, and they're unafraid to challenge the status quo.
The music video for "Dissolve" is a mood-driven masterpiece that seamlessly blends elements of early shoegaze with a dash of Y2K nostalgia reminiscent of games like Silent Hill. It's a visual journey that perfectly complements the song's emotional intensity.
Hillsboro isn't just a band; they're an immersive experience, pushing the boundaries of sound and visuals on their terms. With a west-coast American tour on the horizon, it's clear that Hillsboro is a force to be reckoned with in the indie scene. "Dissolve" is a testament to their unwavering commitment to their art and fans. Take the chance and join them on this sonic adventure.
Your music video for "Dissolve" blends elements of shoegaze and Y2K nostalgia, which we adore. Can you tell us about the creative process behind the video and what inspired its unique visual style?
We went out to this abandoned mansion with a couple of hours of town with Pablo Garcia, who directed the video. We explored and found all kinds of weird stuff. Towards the end, we thought it would be a good idea to shoot off some fireworks inside and almost die. The style comes down to Pablo's direction and editing, but we all love the look of old video games like Silent Hill.
The entirety of "HILLSBORO" has been compared to the work of veteran counterparts regarding recording quality. What steps did you take to achieve such high production standards independently?
Honestly, it was a lot of trial and error, just recording stuff repeatedly until it sounded right. We all produce in the band, so that helps. Jon Epworth, who mixed/mastered the album, also lent us some nice gear to use at home, which was sick.
With "Dissolve" being your mood-driven track, how do you channel your emotions and experiences into your music? What do you hope listeners take away from this particular song?
It's not really something we think about. If it feels moving to us when we make it, then we trust our emotions are coming through. With the lyrics, it's a little more deliberate. I'm always writing little things down as I experience things, and those get collaged into song lyrics, sometimes years later. I don't know if I have anything specific listeners should take away. I just hope it helps people feel better.
Your approach to recording, with instrumentals first and lyrics later, is unconventional but successful. How did this process contribute to the overall sound and emotion of the song?
That way of working puts you in a mood first; then, the lyrics come to match or push against whatever that vibe is. It lets us find an emotion without being limited by words cause they suck. It feels the most natural to me.
What can listeners expect from the rest of "HILLSBORO?" How does it define you as a band?
The album varies quite a bit in style, but it's all unmistakably us. There are just a ton of ideas that found their way in there, and if you listen closely, it's pretty dense. I don't want to think about defining the band too much; it gets in the way of making more good music. I think this album is like a prologue; it's a diary of a specific time in our lives, which has been super important, but I don't think it will make any sense until we keep living some more and make some more albums.