Moments into the opening track of Hillsboro's new album, A Party in Your Name, it becomes unmistakably clear that the Vancouver band has pinpointed the intersection of 1990s emo and 1980s shoegaze. The song HotGirlTM layers atmospheric guitars and screeching violin over Oliver Hollingshead's heavy kick drum, creating a sonic assault. Nima Walker's plaintive lead vocals then emerge, pleading for attention from someone who is clearly not listening. By the song's conclusion, the wall of sound fades to a whisper, delivering a powerfully dramatic effect that exemplifies why the group is selling out shows across Canada and earning widespread praise for its new record.
A Long-Awaited Introduction
Although A Party in Your Name serves as something of an introduction to the band, it is actually Hillsboro's fifth album. Formed in 2019, the group released the Car Sex EP in 2020. According to Walker, the band started seven years ago with a clear mission: to play slow-core emo extremely loudly in basements and blow people's minds. The first record came out, and then the COVID-19 pandemic halted everything. However, that pause proved beneficial, giving the band time to listen to records and write new songs in their basements. That material formed the foundation of their 2023 self-titled debut full-length, which expanded their sound in the direction perfected on A Party in Your Name.
Life's Challenges Shaped the Sound
Walker notes that personal lives fell apart for many band members, and that turmoil is evident in the songwriting. The band experienced the hardships of being in their twenties, amplified by the global pandemic. Yet, they always returned to the band as a family supporting one another. This combination of life's ups and downs, along with the time between releases, played a crucial role in developing the fully realized sound heard on the new album. Walker, lead guitarist Samuel Wells, drummer Hollingshead, bassist Layten Kramer, and violinist Dexter Hodgins worked with acclaimed Victoria record producer and audio engineer Colin Stewart, whose past credits include Black Mountain, Destroyer, Yukon Blonde, and Dan Mangan.
Collaborations and Continuity
Walker explains that the band's tastes have evolved with each release and the time between them, and they are now capturing exactly where they want to be. New bassist Layten Kramer had been Stewart's mentee for a few years and introduced the band to him. Stewart offered free studio time in his basement, and after a week, he suggested they work together. While Stewart brought fresh ears to the mix, continuity was maintained by having Juno-winning mastering engineer Elisa Pansaeng, whose credits include Lights, Said the Whale, and Yukon Blonde. This is her second Hillsboro album. Walker says that Hollingshead, who did a lot of producing and recording, discovered Pansaeng's work, and she now masters albums for many of their friends' bands and major talent.
A DIY Ethos
Walker emphasizes that these connections are what yield results like the Kit Baronas-directed, 13-minute mini-film for A Party in Your Name. He credits friendly connections for making such projects possible. Hillsboro's very DIY world involves working with indie talents they respect, rather than for exposure.
