Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Hillhouse.
Hi Brian, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Pursuing art began for me around age 7. I spent a lot of time after school reading comic books and exploring the old encyclopedias that my parents owned. I would practice drawing/ copying the images with pencil and paper. I got a guitar when I turned 13. I took lessons on Saturdays for about three months then started band after band and haven’t stopped. At 19 I started a post-metal band called Seraphim. We toured nonstop for about three years. The tours were mostly of North America and once of Eastern Europe. Seraphim worked a deal with A389 Records from Baltimore, and they released our demo on a 7” vinyl, a live 10” vinyl and DVD, and our LP “The Light In The Distance” on 12” vinyl. We went on hiatus shortly after due to health issues with our drummer. I then morphed that band into Seraph/ The Light which was my idea of starting three new bands with friends and fans of Seraphim. Seraph/ The Light released three albums digitally and collaborated with the band Axis from Florida to release a four song 12” record that was released through Good Fight Music. Shortly after, my wife had our first son and I got back in to pen art. I did a piece for Autolith from Memphis. I also mastered their first demo. A few years later, I joined Autolith, and also started The Animal’s Comfort. Those have been my main focus of music for a few years now and the Memphis scene has been very supportive to us. Although I have been a musician and performer since I became a teenager; I am also a producer, audio recording engineer, videographer, photographer and a painter among many other artistic outlets. Most importantly I am a husband and a father. Thank you to anyone who has supported me in any way and hope to see you at a show soon!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The toughest obstacle was trying to start bands in the middle of nowhere Mississippi where no one understands the music that you are trying to create. It was a hard road finding the right band members, let alone ones that are reliable, passionate and have similar desires. Also, making little to no money on the road to pay the bills or even enough money to eat was tough. Having a bit of success with a band and seeing the light after all of the hard work, then having to shut it down because I couldn’t find a suitable replacement drummer was a really hard pill to swallow.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Most know me for my songwriting, guitar, and vocal work. I’m really excited about where I am musically and artistically. When covid hit, I bought a drum kit and I will be recording every instrument on my songs at home that will accompany some of the paintings and drawings that I have produced. Being able to create everything alone has been a goal of mine for a long time so that I can accurately express what I have going on upstairs.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My wife and sons. We live on a 36 acre farm and it’s very inspiring being surrounded by nature constantly. Sharing what is beautiful about the world and teaching my children everyday is a real humbling and fulfilling existence. That shapes my happiness and art in so many ways.
Contact Info:
- Email: brianlhillhouse@gmail.com
- Website: theanimalscomfort.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/theanimalscomfort/
- Other: http://www.instagram.com/autolithtn/
Image Credits
Live Photo’s: Matt Wood Drawings/ paintings: Brian Hillhouse
