Cliff Hillis

Biography

Cliff Hillis is known for putting the “power” into “power pop.” On June 19th 2012 the Phoenixville, PA-based musician, songwriter and producer celebrated the release of his new album "Dream Good" on San Francisco indie label TallBoy Records. The new album’s title comes from one of its songs, but Hillis happily points out that “Dream Good” is also #20 on Woody Guthrie’s list of New Years Resolutions from 1943. It’s Hillis’ third release on San Francisco label TallBoy Records, and he describes i...

Cliff Hillis is known for putting the “power” into “power pop.” On June 19th 2012 the Phoenixville, PA-based musician, songwriter and producer celebrated the release of his new album "Dream Good" on San Francisco indie label TallBoy Records.

The new album’s title comes from one of its songs, but Hillis happily points out that “Dream Good” is also #20 on Woody Guthrie’s list of New Years Resolutions from 1943. It’s Hillis’ third release on San Francisco label TallBoy Records, and he describes it as sounding like “Wilco meets Fountains of Wayne,” and fully representative of his finely-honed pop/rock sensibility. Hillis also produced "Dream Good," which was mixed in Nashville by noted pop producer Brad Jones (known for his work with Marshall Crenshaw, Jill Sobule and Matthew Sweet, among others).

"Dream Good" features a dozen sparkling new songs, including two that Hillis wrote with Scot Sax (“Welcome to You” and “When You’re Listening”); “Start Again” co-written with The Rembrandts’ Danny Wilde (who also contributes bass, guitar and vocals to the album); and “Keep the Blue Skies” co-written with Philip Price of The Winterpills, who also adds vocals. 

Some of the many artists with whom Hillis has performed or recorded also contribute to "Dream Good," including drummers David Uosikkinen (The Hooters, In the Pocket), Patrick Berkery (Bigger Lovers, Pernice Brothers, Danielson) and Bob Castaldi (Jeffrey Gaines, Flip Like Wilson); guitarists John Lilley (The Hooters, In the Pocket) and Jason Loughlin (Amos Lee, Nellie McKay, Rachel Yamagata); and violinist Shelley Weiss, among others.

“Earnest power pop that would fit snugly on a playlist with Squeeze, Teenage Fanclub and Jason Falkner.” -Kevin Bronson for L.A. Times

"Cliff is taking some chances while also delivering some solid pop production, the stuff you'd expect from a big fan of big pop. it's a blast to listen to." -Mike Viola (Candy Butchers)


"There are some artists who you just know should rise up and become stars, and Cliff Hillis is one of them." - David Bash  for Entertainment Today, Los Angeles 

"There is nothing clever I could say about Cliff Hillis' "Dream Good" as clever as the lyrics, melodies, singing and playing on Cliff Hillis' "Dream Good". Give a listen and you'll see what I mean." -Eric Bazilian (The Hooters)



About Cliff Hillis:
In baseball terms, Hillis is a valued, multi-talented “utility” player: He plays guitar, bass and keyboards, he sings, he writes, and he’s an in-demand studio whiz that’s recorded, produced or mixed many artists. Hillis can also be seen performing with the popular Philadelphia-area bands Ike, Love Seed Mama Jump and the In the Pocket: Essential Songs of Philadelphia project. 

Hillis’ two previous albums "Better Living Through Compression" and "The Long Now" garnered praise from USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Absolute Powerpop, Amplifier, Goldmine and many more. His original songs have been featured in TV shows (All My Children, Party of Five, Roswell, Life Unexpected and more) and films (Enough, After Sex, Waking Dreams, Mayor Cupcake). Hillis has also won national songwriting and jingle awards and contests.

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