In late 2017 I loaded up my 2006 4-Runner with a guitar and some clothes, backed it out my parents’ Michigan driveway, and headed for Los Angeles. I arrived with no place to stay, and a Craigslist ad for a South Central hostel as the only lead within my price range. It’d have to do. I was the 30th person to move into the house, and claimed the 8th and final bunk in my room. It wasn’t much, but it was in LA…and that meant I was 2,000 miles closer to my dreams. This rundown house full of misfits ended up being the greatest blessing I could have hoped for. Some of my roommates did music also, and we were able to turn the garage into a makeshift studio where we would sit and play for hours. Here I was able to hone my skills as a guitarist and expand my production abilities, blowing the roof off any creative limitations. Since there’s no way to escape 30 people, I would be outside writing songs every possible second. Influence from my roommates who played r&b, funk, and hip-hop is where I developed my sound: a mix of all the above combined with my dark, pop-rock roots. These songs were something different. They sounded like a truly new and improved artist, and needed a fitting name to honor that. HILTON is my middle name, and felt instantly connected to the project. Just like the new sound it was something fresh, yet had been with me all along.
