Beatportal Exclusive: HILLS - Carving a Unique Path in Tech House

A Chance Meeting Turned Musical Partnership

HILLS didn’t begin in a studio or on a dancefloor. Instead, their story started with a moment of loss that unexpectedly brought them together. A mutual friend’s passing led to a circle of friends reconnecting, and through that, a deep creative bond was formed. From those early days, their shared love for house music—and an instinct for writing infectious hooks—set the foundation for what would become HILLS.

Tech house was a natural home for them. “We pride ourselves on simplicity,” they explain. “We write all our own vocals, and tech house, at its core, is about a hook and a groove.” This stripped-back approach has become their signature, fusing deep basslines with sharp, memorable toplines that stay with listeners long after the last drop.

From Remixes to Originals

Long before their original productions made waves, HILLS built a loyal following through free remixes on SoundCloud. “Remixing is easier in some ways because the structure and notes are already there—you just have to make it your own,” they say. It was through this process that they sharpened their production skills, experimenting with different sounds and refining what worked best on the dancefloor.

That foundation paved the way for their original music. Their breakout track COOLIN, released on Fisher’s Catch & Release, became a defining moment. “That was a big one for us, along with our debut track The Booth,” they note. With every release, they continued to hone their sound, ensuring that every track was built to move a crowd.

Evolving Sound and Crafting a Brand

HILLS’ music is constantly evolving, driven by real-time feedback from their audience. “We’re seeing what people love and what works in a club setting,” they explain. Coming from strong songwriting backgrounds, they apply those skills to a house format, making sure each track has a purpose. “A song has to work on the dancefloor—there can’t be a lull.”

But in an era where thousands of tracks drop daily, standing out requires more than just strong production. HILLS have built their brand around direct engagement with their fans, offering track breakdowns, free stems, and insight into their creative process. “It’s not enough to just make a great track,” they say. “You have to give people a reason to invest in you beyond the music.”

That hands-on approach extends to their vocals. While many producers rely on topliners or sample packs, HILLS write nearly every vocal themselves—including their latest single, Talk to Me.

"Talk to Me" and the Realm Records Signing

Talk to Me marks a shift in their sound, exploring a darker, more anthemic energy. “It started as a simple voice note,” they recall. “Once the vocal was done, we knew it needed something bigger—something with more weight.” With influences from melodic techno, the track leans into a richer, more expansive sound than their previous releases.

Releasing it on Realm Records felt like the right move. “Realm was at the top of our list from the start,” they admit. “We probably sent them too many tracks that didn’t quite fit early on, but once we had Talk to Me, we knew it belonged there.” The support from Gorgon City and the Realm team has been invaluable, with the duo seeing their track championed in major live sets.

The Highs of Recognition and the Road Ahead

Seeing their music played by top DJs has been a surreal experience. “I used to sneak into Banana Split Sundays in LA when I was 16 to see MSTRKRFT, Aoki, DJ AM,” they reminisce. “I remember thinking how incredible it would be to have a song that made people react like that. And now, here we are.”

That momentum has only grown, with multiple Beatport Top 10 placements and radio support from SiriusXM and Capital Dance. While recognition is gratifying, they remain focused on the bigger picture: “We’re still learning, still evolving. The key is to keep listening—to fans, to the scene, to the people who’ve been in this industry longer than us.”

Future Collaborations and the Tech House Landscape

Looking ahead, HILLS have no shortage of collaborations in the works. A track with Dansyn is already in the pipeline, alongside other exciting projects yet to be announced. If they could collaborate with anyone, Fisher and Gorgon City top the list—both have been major influences and supporters of their journey.

As for the broader tech house scene, they see its continued rise as long as the community remains strong. “Ego kills a scene,” they state. “Right now, DJs are supporting each other—breaking each other’s records, signing each other’s tracks. If that continues, tech house will be around for a very long time.”

For HILLS, the goal isn’t just to release music—it’s to leave an impact. “We want to be the artists that shift the scene, whether through marketing, sound, or something new entirely,” they say. If their rapid rise is anything to go by, they’re well on their way to doing just that.