They really D.I.A (DO IT ALL) with their DIY oriented family-based friend inspired band and they prove that music and family is a beautiful mixture of love, patience, happiness, and give moments you're going to want to hear and never forget. The Hills and The Rivers create soothing and relaxing music that can be played non-stop at FanView, we could play them all day with NO breaks and effortlessly. All the songs flow wonderfully together and each one gives a different feeling of freedom and provides us with an extra sense of appreciation for the surroundings around us while we breathe in the pleasing combination of love and sound. They are just a breath of fresh air and listening to them is the ultimate gift if you are overly stressed/fizzing out a bit, This fam-band will calm you down and keep you feeling cool and collected. At least this is how FanView feels when listening to The Hills and The Rivers, but well let you see for yourself!
Below is a video for their newest song "The Fool" to be on their next album, "The Fool and The Magician" (coming out soon!). The song also consists of one of a kind album art that matches the rest of the bands artwork giving a common and consistent tarot-like theme (which we love). Let them prove it to you, we bet you wont have any trouble letting the next two songs roll over after hearing this>>>>>The Fool and The Magician (Official Video)
The band has five official music videos all done themselves, all of which have a very raw and surreal feel but are also cinematically done beautifully and without any help (because they definitely do not need it)! This band is producing real content and do it out of a love for music and family which is something FanView thinks the music industry needs a lot more of. A true love for making music and the people you make it with is a huge factor that makes this band so amazing!
To conclude so we can let you get the low-down about the musically talented fambam from our Q and A. We just wanted to thank the band and their friends for creating such a pure form of music through their love and giving fans a feeling of greatness, when you do what you love with who you love nothing can stop you and it honestly produced the best of the best in the genre of folk and music today.
The Hills and the Rivers
Street-folk band
We are so excited to be giving you this review on a fresh modern folk band that gives us hope for the future of Folk and what is next for the entire genre, They are setting the bar high for the rest of the artists but we don't mind and neither do our hips, Sitting down is hard to do when you hear this family hit the stage. FanView feels like a whole new music blog after hearing the refreshing sounds of The Hills and The Rivers with new rhythms pairing with powerful lyrics and genre bending vocals mixing with sonically tangy yet soulfully beautiful new melodies which are not only DIY but completely original too.
Isaac Hill answered FanViews questions which is why I.H.- is representing the bands answers.
1. Lets start off with an introduction, Who are the band members and who brings what to the table? (Names and instrument/talent)
I.H-
Right now the lineup is primary songwriter and band manager Isaac Hill on vocals and octave mandolin, Heidi Hill on vocals and tambourine, Ian Hill on vocals and mandolin, Colin Hill on vocals, washboard and saxophone, James Bristol on upright bass (who also does all of our art), Faith Hersey on djembe, Joey Schuller on banjo, vocals and silver tongue, Chris Fazio (the best musician in the group) on violin, trumpet and piano, and Jose "Shenango" Ochoa on accordion and clarinet.
James Bristol - Bass
Chris Fazio - Violin
Faith Hersey - Djembe
Colin Hill - Washboard/vox
Heidi Hill - Tambourine/vox
Isaac Hill - Octave Mandolin/lead vox
Jack Hill - Mandolin/vox
Joey Schuller - Banjo
1. How long have you guys been making music together, has music always been an actively pursued dream?
I.H.-
The band started in the summer of 2013, when Isaac and Heidi collected friends and buskers together to record "The World" and start playing shows. The Hills were raised in a musical family and have always had music as a big part of our life, but this project has been the biggest push in that direction.
2. Explain what aspects make TH+TR a DIY band?
I.H.-
We're a DIY band because we do it ourselves, together. We write our own songs, record them with our friend Kasey at Etc. Studios, book our own tours, make our own art, and at this point we still screenprint our own merch!
3. Who inspires the music you make?
I.H.- Each other! The beautiful natural world, poets and musicians such as Rilke, Leonard Cohen, Sufjan Stevens, all of our wonderful fans and friends all across the world.
4. What gave you the idea for “The World” and “Apocalypse Dreams” themed album art?
I.H.- The art for both of those albums, and our upcoming album "The Fool & the Magician" have all been inspired by the Major Arcana of the Tarot, "The World (XXI)" for our first album, "The Tower (XVI)" and "Judgement (XX)" for our second album "Apocalyptic Dreams," and "The Fool (0)" and "The Magician (I)" for the third album. James Bristol, our upright bassist, is also a wonderful artist, and made all the art in conjunction with the conceptual help of Isaac.
5. How did “PGH Street Folk Split” come together with Cousin Boneless an Black Bear Mute?
Who's idea was it?
I.H.- One of our first house shows in Pittsburgh was at a now defunct punk house called "The Pitbull Palace" and it was a magical time where we made best friends with Cousin Boneless and Black Bear Mute. BBM eventually stopped playing music, but we formed "4th River Music Collective" with Cousin Boneless. Joey Schuller, who is one of the front people for CoBo and who also plays banjo in TH&TR came up with the idea for the split, and is a leading force behind the 4th River Music Collective.
6. Best moment white creating the PGH album?
I.H.- One of my favorite moments during the recording of that split was recording "Goin Down The Road" all together, and Ben Barson (of Afro-Yaqui Music Collective) ripped a baritone saxophone solo through all of our hearts.
7. Who would be the band member to accidentally be left at a gas station on tour?
I.H.- Definitely Chris Fazio... we are always waiting for him, the absent minded professor.
8. Dream collaboration? (Dead or Alive)
I.H.- Dream collaboration... so hard... maybe Jerry Garcia.
9. Any advice to other bands that get to work together as a family?
I.H.- Get all your frustrations out early, and always come back to the love you have for them! And remember, your family will always know you the best, so act accordingly!
10. Best part of being in a family band?
I.H.- Best part is knowing them so well, we were home schooled together, so were each others best friends for years, and I think that adds a lot to us being tight musically.
11. New project on the way? or any news for the fans to be looking forward to?
I.H.- Our third full length "The Fool & the Magician" will be out on May 18! We're very excited about it, the first single "The Fool" is already out with a music video on youtube, so check that out and keep your ears open!
12. Best coffee in Pittsburgh?
I.H.- Black Forge!
13. What does the band do to catch a break, relax, and have fun together?
I.H.- We like just hanging out and jamming, playing card and board games, cooking food and eating all together!
14. Who would leave the band starstruck after walking by them on the streets?
I.H.- Thom Yorke and Sasquatch.
15. Who inspires TH+TR’s music and who are the bands favoriteartists of today?
I.H.- We have a wide variety of musical influences from Robert Johnson to Neutral Milk Hotel, but some of our favorite contemporary bands are Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, Rising Appalachia, Black Bird Raum and our friends Rail Yard Ghosts.
16. Artist you think deserves more attention in the music industry?
I.H.- Our friends Holy Locust!