THE BEST ZACH HILL RECORDS OF THE DECADE

Were there one moment in the short, developing story of my life in which I was, as they say, in the right place at the right time, it would surely be a basement on E Street in Davis, CA in late 2001. I saw Hella play three songs that night. Well, I saw Hella play two and a half songs that night. During the third song Zach Hill kicked through his bass drum and declared the performance “over.” Everyone in the room bought a demo and a shirt.

By most accounts, this was Hella’s fifth show ever. They were already legends and signed to the Kill Rock Stars imprint that would release Hold Your Horse Is, one of the best Zach Hill records of the decade.

In the proceeding eight years, Zach Hill would drum on more than 50 releases. Wikipedia is my source here, meaning the actual figure could be much higher. I haven’t listened to every Hill record. I have listened to dozens of them, though. Consider these both my personal favorites and, if you’re interested in revolutionary drumming, recommended points of entry. 


(My picks after the JUMP.)

THE COMPARISON

This is a scientific comparison between the new Brilliantism website and the beginning of the universe as we know it. 

DECLARATION OF PURPOSE

Have you ever sent a postcard? It’s fun. And, at this point, it’s so antiquated it’s unexpected, precious, even meaningful. You should send some postcards to your friends, family, and at least one stranger (those are the best). You should pick up a few of my postcards to do so.

Sending a random postcard provides one of those tiny details that can make a good day great. Details like this are important to me. I cherish intricacy.

Music has always been my guide to intricacy: a garden, park, or city becomes different when explored with a soundtrack. That’s why I’ve created Brilliantism, to bring the details of my own life into one place, to weave a narrative that proves nothing I do (or have done) is isolated.

There’s more to it than that, of course. I’m not out to create waste, so all BRLISM products are (and will be) sustainably created, packaged, and shipped. The postcards and greeting cards use non chemical inks on recycled paper, and the bulletin boards come from cork, which is non-destructively harvested.

Among other things, I hope this site does justice to my life. There’s a lot of work to be done (particularly in the music and comic sections, as well as in the world). So: please take a look around, make suggestions, and share with your friends!

Thanks so much.

-Aaron

WALLA+ROBBINS

Chris Walla and J. Robbins wrote and recorded this song in a day.

Listen/watch HERE.

WILD

Vice set up another outlet for Wild Things Mania. They commissioned a bundle of amazing artists to interpret the story/movie/fantasy collaboration. Furie! Millionaire! Skinner!

I am fired up.