Jo Hill makes her debut with her newest EP, Cinematic Baby. The five-track project shows off her do-it-yourself attitude, from writing to recording to producing— all done within her bedroom.
Born in Cheddar, England, Hill was introduced to music while studying opera in Bristol. When lockdown hit, she moved back to her hometown and worked on a strawberry farm but remained positive and creative through projects like her “Song In A Day” series on Instagram.
Since then, Jo Hill has gained both attention and experience. Though still learning, she has big dreams and big ambitions, still driven by the music she is making. Hill is fully committed, leaving her job as a part-time nanny and creating music entirely.
I feel so blessed but also feel a new kind of pressure. When I did my first release a year ago I was doing EVERYTHING and had a bunch of mates that wanted to help out so it was all extremely DIY and we were all hoping for the best. Now I have an amazing team to help direct and curate my creativity and music which is a HUGE difference.
– Jo Hill
The artist shared that she’s also practicing intention, focusing not only on her sound but also on the world that she wants to create around it. Choosing to write in “eras”, Hill shares that Cinematic Baby is all about that summer festival era— all-nighters, road trips, sunrises and drinking tinnies for breakfast.
For Jo Hill, the hardest part has been the way she perceived her journey as an artist. Rather than getting caught up in the overnight success stories seen on TikTok, she is choosing to focus on enjoying the process. Similarly, she doesn’t want to necessarily identify according to a genre, but is still very certain of her sound and how she wants to reach listeners. This means not comparing herself to others and gaining confidence in her path on the “[girl power] wagon”.
Through the five tracks, Hill’s album is about seeing the world in a cinematic way.
Cinematic is a way of describing how I feel in the summer. Windows down, heading to a fezzie, vibrant west country colours, chatting sh*t with your pals in your summer cinematic feels… which is more specific to this EP.
– Jo Hill
But the expression extends beyond the album and beyond just her music. Describing “cinematic” as a lens, Hill has incorporated it into the way she sees her surroundings, more specifically the place she grew up. Whether it’s about magical spaces, public transport, dramas or pubs, the musician never runs out of inspiration.
All of these elements become parts of songs, as she encapsulates the magic of this place. At the same time, Hill balances her personal experiences with that of her listeners, evoking memories people have of a place.
Jo Hill has several scheduled appearances, performing live throughout the summer. From the Secret Garden Party to the Latitude Festival, and ending at Boardmasters, Hill herself couldn’t contain her excitement. Returning to her teenage stomping grounds, she looks forward to seeing the audience sing along. Understanding the effect music can have, she shares her anticipation of having one of those moments herself. See a full list of performances on her official website, and make sure to follow Jo Hill on Spotify and Instagram.
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