Cool People in Baton Rouge: Audiocolor’s Daniel Hill

Daniel Hill is a local rising music star. Riding on the success of his recent album release, “This is Hope”, I sat down with Daniel to get a glimpse inside of the music community in Baton Rouge. Daniel is ultra-talented and a great guy. We wish him success in his artistic endeavors—oh, and congratulations on your engagement!

How long have you been in the Baton Rouge community?
All 22 years of my life.

What inspired you to be a musician?
I grew up with a love for music and rhythm. I started piano lessons when I was 7, I never like to play songs on sheet music and eventually led me to quit piano lessons and begin writing my own songs. I was determined to learn every instrument possible and make music, I still have cassettes of me overdubbing with two tape players—haha. A lot of inspiration came from me just seeing the endless possibilities of creativity through music.

Did growing up in the Baton Rouge community influence your entrance to music at all?
It did as far as meeting people with the same interests. It was mostly people that had things to show and teach me.

Does the culture of Louisiana and, more specifically, Baton Rouge influence your music?
Not so much. But I look to inspire. I think I can have an impact on Baton Rouge as far as this style goes, and demonstrate my message of hope.

Where do you find you draw your greatest creative inspiration?
Synesthesia is a condition seen in many artists that gives me great inspiration. It is where the name Audiocolor stems from: seeing color. When I make a song, I make it a color. I make a scene. My songs paint a colorful picture in my head and I keep adding things to change it; harmonies, instruments, beating on pots and pans (like in Countertops). I draw my inspiration from God, Callie, my fiancée, and favorite band, Owl City.

How does Baton Rouge fare in terms of active artistic development? Is it a good place to start a band?
How’s the artistic community? I think Baton Rouge is a great place to start a band; it’s full of talent in a growing artistic community. It’s easy to get connected and all the recourses are available to start or advance in any form of art.

What sort of genre do you classify yourself as?
It’s hard to put myself in a genre. Audiocolor is instrumental, progressive, electronic, easy listening.

You recently released your first album on iTunes. Tell me a little bit about the album.
“This is Hope” (released March 10th, 2009) is an instrumental CD that says a lot. In my music I want to paint a picture and convey an emotion. This album is the catalyst to detach the listener from whatever is going on in their life and place them in my music.

How did the release go?
Very well. I was surprised to see international sales to places as far as Japan. It was and still is a rewarding experience.

What can we expect in the future? Any local concerts planned or future releases in the works?
I’m working on a vocal CD under the name Daniel Hill, as for Audiocolor I plan to make another instrumental CD. As for concerts, we’ll see once my vocal CD is released.

You can buy Audiocolor’s latest release, “This is Hope,” on iTunes.