Project Hilts is a nine-piece band who showcase Jazz musicianship, blended with Grime, Latin, Soul and Hip-Hop.
The band consists of Danny Hilton (Music Production), Charlie Cooper, Glen Leach, Jacob FD, Paolo Mazzoni, Felix Burling and Aidan Newland (Jazz), Lizzie Berchie (Songwriting) and Olivia Browning (Popular Music).
We spoke to MC Hilts, ahead of the LCoM Sound City showcase to find out what’s in store for their performance…
How does it feel to be playing Sound City?
This is the first festival we have played as a band, so we couldn’t be more excited! Plus we’ve heard that Liverpool has a great music scene. From where we started, it’s already been an amazing journey, and seeing our name on a festival line up proves that. It’s exciting and we’re driven to keep going.
How would you describe your sound?
It’s hard to describe music. We aim to marry jazz musicianship with styles and influences from early 00’s Grime, Latin, Soul and Hip Hop. We have got drums, bass, keys and percussion at our core, with sax, trumpet, and four vocalists leading. MC Hilts fronts the band.
Give us a brief history of your band…
We all study different pathways here at Leeds College of Music. Originally, I just wanted to rap over some live music instead of beats, we never planned on it becoming a proper project. However, it sounded so good and the chemistry was so real that it just naturally became what it is now. We have already supported bands like Tetes Des Pois in Leeds and played in London and Sheffield, and we’ve become a family through it all.
What can people expect from your Sound City set?
There are nine of us up on stage, so it’s a big sound. Expect big energy and lots of dancing.
Who are you excited to see when you’re there?
We all have different tastes and acts we want to see but, of course, Loyle Carner is a wicked lyricist. Also, we are excited to see the other LCoM bands showcase their sounds.
What are you most looking forward to at Sound City?
Reaching out to people that haven’t heard us is important and Sound City is perfect for that. We get show our sound to new ears.
Find out more about our showcase at Sound City 2019.
Want to be on that stage? Find out more about studying at Leeds College of Music, where you'll have access to many performance opportunities just like this....
More about Project Hilts.
