Live band- "The Forward Thinkers": Ken Herblin- guitar, Greg Maragos- bass, Ritchie Rubini- drums
Influences
The Beatles, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, Cheap Trick, Elliott Smith, Todd Rundgren, Radiohead, Nick Drake, Neil Young, Wilco, Trip Shakespeare, Elvis Costello, Finn Brothers, Jayhawks & so much more...
Sounds Like
"Cliff Hillis should be a major star. There, I said it … and his latest release, The Long Now (Tallboy Records), proves it. It’s a stylish, thoughtful, consistently excellent collection of catchy pop tunes that never fails to engage. A few tunes written with the Rembrandts’ Danny Wilde (“She Sees” and “Northern Lights”) are top-shelf, but there’s really nothing here less than very good, as Hillis is a supremely talented craftsman whose way with a hook is undeniable throughout. Not flashy, not life-changing — just great." -John Borack/Goldmine Magazine (July 2009)
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Singer-songwriter Cliff Hillis has unveiled "The Long Now", his second release on Los Angeles based TallBoy Records.
The album features Hillis' longtime backing band, the Forward Thinkers as well as a host of guest stars including Eric Bazilian of The Hooters, Danny Wilde of the Rembrandts and California pop troubadour Willie Wisely. Hillis handled much of the vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, bass and keyboards himself.
Since his last Tallboy release "Better Living Through Compression" (which was praised by the L.A. Times) Hillis has been raising his profile nationally with song placements in movies -"Enough" (Jennifer Lopez) and "After Sex" (Brooke Shields)- as well as television shows "All My Children, "Party of Five" (DVD box set), "Roswell" and "Jake 2.0".
Continuing that trend, The Long Now track "Like an Island" is prominently featured in the independent movie "Waking Dreams", slated for a 2009 release.
Hillis was the also the national winner of the 2007 Chili's Baby Back Ribs jingle contest, garnering press attention across the country including USA Today online.
"The Long Now" signals somewhat of change for Hillis, revealing a seriousness and insight in the lyrics without losing his trademark melodies and memorable choruses. The loss of both of his parents in 2006 as well as other life experiences contributed to this shift in direction.
Originally from Rehoboth Beach Delaware, Hillis now resides outside of Philadelphia in Phoenixville, PA and has received tri-state honors winning both the East Coast-based "Spark Magazine "Best Singer-Songwriter" and Out & About Magazine "Best Male Songwriter" awards in 2007.
Hillis will be performing acoustic and with the Forward Thinkers (guitarist "Country" Ken Herblin, bassist Greg Maragos and drummer Ritchie Rubini) to promote "The Long Now" and is actively pursing additional TV and movie placements.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Click here to order the new CD from TallBoy!
I wanted to let you know that we're running a 15% off promotion this week on ALL services! :) This INCLUDES MySpace design, Twitter design, album design, and promotional services! Message us now!
If you're on Facebook, I'd love to stay connected with you there too. GO HERE!, become a fan, and share with your FB friends too! Hey there! Hope you're doing great! If you're on Facebook, I'd love to stay connected with you there too.
Hey Cliff, I tagged ya with that photo I took of ya from the rudder! I got some realy cool pics of you and LSMJ on my page under my photos. Just click LSMJ and check them out they came out great! I want to post them to your loveseed.com page but the uploader is broken on it. You guys got to get that fixed for all your fans! I will catch ya at the Rudder this Thursday! Your album is still in one of our tv's at Sears! lol... Your pal, Jerry G.
Hey Cliff, check this out I took your new album to work on a flash drive! Then I put it into one of our LED tv's and saved the songs into it's internal memory! Now I can play your music anytime through the tv! It's cool! If you don't believe me you should come into sears in the Dover mall sometime! It would be cool to show you that your music is in our tv at Sears! I'm tellin people who work there and some customers about you and Love Seed Mama Jump! as well! Your friend & Fan, Jerry G.
cliff- just wanted to mention a movie you might be interested in... its called "what the bleep do we know" and it is about quantum mechanics... now, i am not much of a science or math guy, but this movie tries to lay it out in laymen's terms and i came away from it with a feeling that we have an infinite supply of possibilities that we often are not aware of... highly recommend it...
ok I found out that the album I downloaded was from 2004. I thought it was new! lol... It sounds new to me! I do like this album.. your friend, Jerry G.
Cliff I did it! Yep I purchased your Better Living Through album on Amazon today! It said I was the first one to buy it as well! lol... Now That's Cool! So now you know I'm a big fan of your music as well. When I spend my money it has to be good! You got alot of talent and I hope people get to hear your music! Thanks again for being a great friend and for putting out such a great album! Your friend & fan, Jerry G.
hey cliff... i really like your new song "what's your name?"...
i have no idea what god is either. there's been times i thought i had some definitions but i dont think the spirit of the universe likes being categorized.
Good news! The brand new powerpopcompilation "Souvenirs" is being released this week! It contains 21 great North American powerpop tracks from 1975-95. You can hear three of the songs that just have been uploaded on our Myspage page. The CD also contains a previously unreleased song by the great Canadian band Pointed Sticks recorded in the late 70..s. It is availabe from Not Lame Records and Kool Kat Musik, and it will very soon be available from CD Baby.
Endoxi won PEOPLE'S CHOICE at Musicapoolza (San Diego County Fair)....Check it out. Also, come see us at BELLY UP (August 8). Now go let your Freak-Flag fly!!!! -Wilson
Thanks for your friendship Cliff and the great music!
Check our Blogs for latest arts in education news and social justice learning activities.
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Peace, John
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. ... I get most joy in life out of music.”
Hey Cliff!
Just wanted to let you know that I listened to your album all day today, while walking around the Princeton Alumni weekend. Perfect pop on a perfect day - thanks!!! :-)
