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.
Cliff Hillis: bio/credits
Long Now Credits
She Sees
CH- vocals, guitars, Ken Herblin- guitar, Danny Wilde- bass, BV's, Ritchie Rubini- drums, percussion
written by Cliff Hillis & Danny Wilde
(reubenfar music/ASCAP, 100 Billion Dollar Music/ BMI)
Never Understand
CH- vocals, guitars, wurlitzer, Greg Maragos- bass, Ritchie Rubini- drums, backwards piano, Dennis Schocket- BV's
written by Cliff Hillis
(reubenfar music/ASCAP)
Elevator
CH- guitars, vocals, Kevin Walsh- guitar, Ian Walsh- bass, Ritchie Rubini- drums, percussion, piano, synth
written by Cliff Hillis
(reubenfar music/ASCAP)
Northern Lights
CH- vocals, guitars, bass, Ritchie Rubini- drums, percussion
written by Cliff HIllis & Danny Wilde
(reubenfar music/ASCAP, 100 Billion Dollar Music/ BMI)
Ought To Know
CH- vocals, guitars, keys, Dennis Schocket- bass, Van Morgan- banjo, Ritchie Rubini- drums
written by Cliff Hillis & Dennis Schocket
(reubenfar music/ASCAP, eleven twenty ate music/ASCAP)
Follow You Anywhere
CH- vocals, guitars, Ken Herblin- guitar, Greg Maragos- bass, Roger Hillis- 12 string bass, Dave Anthony- drums
written by Cliff Hillis
(reubenfar music/ASCAP)
Good & Bad
CH- vocals, guitars, keys, Ken Herblin- guitar, Dennis Schocket- bass, wurlitzer, BV's, Ed Shockley- drums, Ritchie Rubini- piano, percussion
written by Cliff Hillis & William John Wisely Jr.
(reubenfar music/ASCAP, Wisely Publishers/ASCAP)
Like An Island
CH- guitars, vocals, Ian Walsh- bass, Ritchie Rubini- drums, percussion, BV's, keyboards
written by Cliff Hillis & Ritchie Rubini
(reubenfar music/ASCAP, moonmen music/BMI)
All For The Sake
CH- vocals, guitars, Greg Maragos- bass, Eric Bazilian- guitar solo, Ed Shockley- piano, organ, Kyf Brewer- drums, Rhonda Hill- BV's
written by Cliff Hillis & Kyf Brewer
(reubenfar music/ASCAP, Brewerds&Music / ASCAP)
Shake Me Down
CH- vocals, guitars, Ken Herblin- guitar, Greg Maragos- bass, Dave Anthony- drums
written by Cliff Hillis & Kyf Brewer
(reubenfar music/ASCAP, Brewerds&Music / ASCAP)
Faded Star
CH- vocals, guitars, bass, 12 string bass, Dave Anthony- drums, Phil Young- guitar solo
written by Cliff Hillis
(reubenfar music/ASCAP)
Produced by Cliff Hillis & Ritchie Rubini
Recorded at The Hacienda, Red Door Recording, Hammerhead Studios, Target Recording Studios, The Brewery, Kensington Road
Engineered by Cliff Hillis, Kevin Walsh, Steve Manocchio
Mixed by Cliff Hillis at The Hacienda
Mastered by Don McCollister
Art direction, design & photography Beth Lennon/mod*betty
Back cover photo by Jeff Green/CapturedPix