Emerging House Duo HILLS Discusses Their Project’s Origins, Remote Collaboration, Label Support, and More
Since their debut on Repopulate Mars last year, the duo HILLS has rapidly ascended in the tech house scene. Their infectious tracks have gained popularity, featuring on labels like FISHER’s Catch & Release and a recent release on Gorgon City’s REALM, while amassing millions of views across their social media platforms.
Their latest release, a gritty rework of Tyga’s “Rack City,” marks their return to Repopulate Mars with a bass-heavy track that has gained traction in DJ sets and playlists. This release represents a full-circle moment for HILLS, who credit Lee Foss and the label for being early champions of their vision.
Despite being located in different cities, the duo has developed a strong creative workflow by exchanging demos and refining a darker, groove-centric sound that feels distinctly their own. We spoke with HILLS about their new single, collaboration methods, and future plans. Listen to “Rack City” and continue reading for the full interview.
Stream HILLS – Rack City on Spotify
Thanks for joining me today! Let’s dive right in. How did you both come to establish HILLS? Why start a new project instead of continuing your previous work?
Thanks for having us! We were creating a lot of music that took a different shape than what we had done before. Eventually, we realized we needed to channel this into something new, giving a fresh direction for ourselves and our music. It started to take on a life of its own, and we wanted to give it space to flourish and for listeners to experience it.
Can you describe your collaboration process?
Absolutely! Since we live in different cities, our process involves a lot of back-and-forth sharing. We’ve aligned on our desired sound and style, so we often agree on the direction of our music. We exchange ideas multiple times a day, sifting through them to select the best demos to focus on. We’ve discovered our sound and have a constant flow of ideas! [Laughs]
What drove the transition to a darker, tech house sound?
This is a tough one! There wasn’t a specific moment when we decided to pursue this style; it just naturally evolved as we began making music. We noticed that our tracks gravitated toward this “darker tech” lane. It felt organic, and we recognized that our songs shared a similar sound, so we let the music guide us. It’s simply where our creative journey led us.
Your recent track on Repopulate Mars, “Rack City,” is significant. Can you share the story behind it? How has the response been?
Thank you for the compliments! One of us sent the idea saying, “Has anyone flipped this before? The bassline is perfect,” [Laughs] so we immediately got to work. The track flowed really well from the start. Sometimes, reworking big records can be hit or miss, but this one clicked right away. We aimed for the bass and vocals to drive the track, with accents enhancing the groove. The response has been fantastic; we’ve received a lot of love on Spotify, Apple, and feel incredibly grateful that people are enjoying it!
What has your experience been like working with labels such as Repopulate Mars and Catch & Release?
We couldn’t ask for better partners for our music. It’s fantastic to have labels like Repopulate Mars and Catch & Release believe in our vision and support us in executing our ideas. Working with them has been incredible.
Social media is vital for artists today. How have these platforms assisted you in building a fanbase?
Instagram has been crucial for us. It’s where we first introduced HILLS. We’ve focused on maximizing our reach and have received amazing support from our followers. It feels like we’re building a genuine community, and we strive to give back as much as we can. The effort we’ve put into our content has yielded results, and we’re grateful for the dedicated fanbase we’re cultivating.
What inspired you to start your own radio show?
It’s another way for us to give back to those who support us. At the end of the week, it’s nice to know you have an hour or two of new tracks to enjoy with friends or while pre-gaming! It’s fun to create, and it also allows us to explore all the new music being released, discovering tracks we might not have heard otherwise.
Looking ahead, how do you envision HILLS evolving over the next few years? What projects are you excited about? Any upcoming collaborations or shows?
We’re thrilled about many upcoming projects. We’re especially excited to play more shows and travel to perform this music live—it’s a dream for us. We have a lot of new music on the way, along with collaborations we can share more about later. You can definitely expect a wealth of shows and music from us!
