A Dirty Dozen with CHRIS KELLY from HILLHAVEN – July 2024

According to a recent press release: “Earlier this year, members of Ice Nine Kills and From Ashes to New formed a brand new band called HILLHAVEN. Today, they have shared the official video for their third track “GAPS.” It follows the buzzy prior singles “Damned to Dream” and “The God You Think You Are.” “GAPS” is a slight change of pace for the band, but still captures who the Hillhaven is at its core. The lineup is comprised of Chris Kelly (Alustrium, ex-Galactic Empire, and who is rumored to play for Babymetal’s band) on vocals, as well as From Ashes to New’s Maty Madiro on drums; Ice Nine Kills’ Ricky Armellino on guitars; live From Ashes to New member Jimmy Bennett on guitars; and bassist Jaime GoWell.” We get Chris to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our latest single is a song called “Gaps.” We’re really excited to finally have this one out there, because it was the song that started this whole project. I would say I’m disappointed to not have any hidden bits for people to look for, but honestly, the song is exactly what it was always meant to be – a big, catchy hard rock track. No detective work required, no barrier for entry, just a riff, a hook and a vibe.

2. What got you into music and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Lindsay Lohan. Not even kidding. I was 10 years old, I saw the movie Freaky Friday and, after about three seconds of watching her character’s local band practice in a garage I pointed to the TV and said “That. I’m gonna do that”. I got my first guitar probably less than a month later and it was tunnel vision from that point forward. You cannot imagine the anguish that came with finding out she was just pretending to play that song.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

After Lindsay broke my heart, I moved on to what I imagine most kids in my generation started with, when it came to rock music – whatever was on the radio. Punk bands like Green Day, Blink-182, your “run-of-the-mill” radio rock bands like Nickelback, 3 Doors Down etc. Eventually I joined a program called the Paul Green School of Rock Music (which is now just called The School of Rock; sadly, Jack Black is not involved) and that’s what really opened the floodgates. Starting with all of the major classic rock bands and eventually metal. I heard “Creeping Death” and that was it – total obsession and full willingness to doom myself to a lifetime of relatives asking why the singer is so angry.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Oh man, that’s a tough one. I suppose the answer would depend on the way in which the person would be involved. If we’re talking writing/production, I’d love to work with Jordan Fish, because honestly it just seems like that dude does nothing but shit gold on a constant basis. Another one would be Mutt Lange. Many of the stories I’ve heard about the records he’s done have been a huge inspiration for me, both as an artist and a producer. He’s just so famously uncompromising. If we’re talking about having another artist be a part of a song, obviously the talent part would go without saying, but I’d either want somebody I know is a good hang like Chris Motionless or Brandon from Atreyu OR someone on like upper-level legend status like Brent Smith or Gerard Way.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

Photography has become a real positive outlet for me. I originally only got my camera because I knew I was gonna have to learn how to do photo/video stuff for Hillhaven, but it’s been really awesome to find a hobby again. I made my last hobby my job, so it’s tough to unwind by doing the things you do at work. That being said, I’m becoming so obsessed with it now that I’ll probably make a side hustle out of it and ruin that for myself too.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’d be like “Hey, do you like the stuff they play on Octane? This is probably your bag, then”. Pretty much every comparison we’ve gotten is a positive one. I don’t really think there’s been anything that’s made me cringe or upset in any way, but on the rare occasion I’ve seen a negative comment it’s always made me laugh. One of my favorites was “Creed writes better choruses”. Like, I mean…yeah probably, they’re CREED haha. You don’t get to be one of the most successful rock bands in history by writing shitty hooks.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Here’s the thing – I have no idea. Every one of us is constantly on tour. The fact that we even managed to get all our ducks in a row for this band to launch is nothing short of a miracle. I also think if any one of us broke out an acoustic guitar and tried to initiate a sing-along, he would be instantly and viciously mocked.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I played two festivals this summer, where Keanu Reeves’ band, Dogstar, also played. I did not meet him. I was too afraid.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I think people who make their living in any artistic pursuit would probably agree, that one of the best things about it is the simple fact that you get to do something very few people ever get to do. You carved out space for yourself in a field where success is, statistically, nearly impossible. You spent years, maybe even decades of your life having to tune out the nay-sayers – even though the naysayers had a REALLY strong chance at being right. You probably ate shit for a good while, made no money and had a frighteningly loose grasp on general responsibility, even into adulthood, yet here you are. You did it. That’s fucking crazy. I’d probably wind up being a full time photographer if music stopped working out. Another fickle and risky pursuit. Turns out I have a masochistic streak in me.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

Honestly I really just enjoy it when I can tell the interviewer cares about the conversation. Answering generic origin story questions gets very old, very quickly.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Any honest answer I could provide to that question would inevitably result in me getting some pretty unhappy phone calls, so I’m just gonna say it’s all been WONDERFUL.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Def Leppard’s Hysteria. This goes back to my comments about Mutt Lange’s reputation. That album is made up almost entirely of hit singles and the attention to detail in every aspect of its creation is mind-boggling, even by today’s production standards. For me it’s the ultimate example of TRULY giving a fuck and meets the standard that I think every creator should strive for.

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Category: Interviews