LJ Hill
“L.J Hill’s face and songs bear the marks of a hard, if full life. His songs talk of loss and yearning, in the storytelling style of Archie Roach, vocally akin to Kev Carmody, the songs brought to life by producer Brendan Gallagher, who some years ago beautifully re-invented Jimmy Little.” Ed Nimmervoll in new issue of The Mag/ JB Hi Fi magazine
For contemporary singer/songwriter L.J. Hill, music has always been a part of his life and his songs illustrate the rich experience of a full life lived from the northwest plains of New South Wales in Australia to the city streets of Sydney and Melbourne for the past thirty years. Using musical influences from such disparate musicians as Merle Haggard, Bruce Springsteen and Tom.T. Hall, L.J. Hill has crafted his unique vision and subtle melody lines into memorable songs which celebrate personal family values and tell stories of a world which most people don’t know exist. Family memory is important to L.J. Hill and his haunting melodies are exemplified by his expert use of slide guitar in many of his songs. The recent completion of “Namoi Mud” complements his first album which was produced as a result of him being chosen to be part of the recent NSW Ministry of the Arts project, “Whichways”. The inspiration for much of L.J. Hill’s work is generated by the loss of friends and relatives through alcohol and substance abuse. He is a strong advocate of fighting this vicious cycle and uses his music as a weapon to help in the struggle.
L.J. Hill’s music is unique in a world of computer generated melody and song. His world weary voice tells a story of struggle and hardship countered by delicate melody lines when he sings of love and unrequited love in both the city and the bush. L.J. Hill is a gentle big bear of a man who looks back at his colourful past to create his music. He is man whose past includes expertise in Rugby League football, rodeo bull riding, shearing shed work and ‘Gentleman of the streets’ in Melbourne and Sydney. He has many stories to tell… and L.J. tells them in a most unique manner.
