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
" The Long Now is, in many ways, the perfect pop record: its songs are expertly constructed, melding wickedly clever lyrics with inescapable pop melodies. Hillis, unlike anybody this side of Bay area rocker Chris von Sneidern, possesses the pluperfect pop voice—he can sing sweet and intimate, as on “She Sees” or “Ought to Know,” or can reach back and belt out a rocker, as on “Northern Lights,” or “Faded Star.” Most impressively, he makes it all seem effortless."
--Rick Schadelbauer/Amplifier Magazine [January 12, 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!
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!!! :-)
Just stopping by to say hello and give you some news. The new album 'Coolgilly and the Freakshow' from Centascope is now available worldwide from CD Baby and directly from the merchandise page of the official website. You can also get the album from Apple iTunes, MSN Music, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon and many more.
Hey Cliff, great music. Thanks for the add, I really like your stuff! If you have a moment, I'd love for you to hear some of my songs. Thanks again & keep it up!
Hey Cliff - pleasure to finally meet you, see you perform live @ Dewey Beach Pop Fest this past weekend!! You ROCKED the stage !!!! Thanks for the CD and hope to get live interview sometime. Cindy, Volta Radio
hey, man....yeah, i did get your email. i tried to call him today, but didn't get him on the phone yet. he'll be a godsend, though, lemme tell ya. thanks again!
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