Hill Kourkoutis Explained

Hill Kourkoutis
Birth Name:Hillary Kourkoutis
Birth Date:23 January 1988
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre:Rock, pop, alternative, Roots
Occupation:Musician, producer, songwriter, mixer, engineer, director, actor
Instrument:Vocals, guitar, bass, keys, drums
Years Active:2000-present
Associated Acts:Hill & The Sky Heroes, Drowning Girl, Serena Ryder, The Weeknd, Martha and the Muffins, SATE, Leela Gilday, Digging Roots

Hill Kourkoutis (born 23 January 1988[1]) is a Canadian songwriter, producer, mixer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, director and actress.

Biography

Early life

Hill was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is of Greek descent.

Career

Music

Hill Kourkoutis is a producer and songwriter whose work spans multiple genres. She has produced albums and/or singles for artists such as Aysanabee, Digging Roots, Amanda Rheaume, Cassie Dasilva, SATE, Leela Gilday, Madison Violet, Jules, The Cliks and Martha and The Muffins. She has also remixed for artists July Talk, Adam Cohen, Dear Rouge, Jill Barber and Good Lovelies. As a songwriter, she has written songs for artists such as Royal Wood, Meghan Patrick, POESY, Jules and Martha and the Muffins. She primarily works out of her studio, The Lair. Kourkoutis was a part of many bands including alternative pop/rock duo "Drowning Girl" with David Paoli before starting Hill & The Sky Heroes - her collaborative solo project. As a session musician and a live side player, Hill has played and/or toured with Serena Ryder, The Weeknd, Martha and the Muffins, Danny Michel, SATE, The Cliks and Tara Slone.

Hill has also composed music for Dino Ranch, Remy %26 Boo and .[2]

In 2018, she appeared on the CTV Series The Launch (created by Scott Borchetta) playing guitar in the show's house band for two seasons.

In 2021 'North Star Calling', the album she produced and mixed for Leela Gilday, won the Juno Award for Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year and was nominated for the Juno Award for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year. The album was also nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards including Single of the Year for "K'eintah Natse Ju".

In March 2022, Kourkoutis became the first woman to receive a Juno Award nomination for Recording Engineer of the Year.[3] She was nominated for her work on SATE's "Howler" and Tania Joy's "The Drought". She won the award, becoming the first-ever female winner in the category.[4] SATE's album, 'The Fool', that Kourkoutis produced, engineered, mixed and wrote on was also nominated for Alternative Album of the Year. 'The Fool' was also on the 2022 Polaris Music Prize Long List.

In 2023 the albums she produced, engineered, mixed and co-wrote on for Digging Roots ('Zhawenim') and Aysanabee ('Watin') were nominated in the Juno Award for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year category.[5] Digging Roots' 'Zhawenim' won in that category. 'Watin' by Aysanabee was also on the 2023 Polaris Prize Short List. "Nomads", a song she produced and mixed for Aysanabee, also hit #1 on the Canadian Alternative Rock charts.

In 2024 she was nominated for a Juno for Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award.

Film

At the age of 16, Hill was cast in a reoccurring role on the hit television series Radio Free Roscoe[6] (Noggin/The Family Channel) as the strong but silent drummer Megan.This led her to her studies at Ryerson University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in Film Studies. She has directed music videos for Serena Ryder, Mother Mother, Sass Jordan and Alex Cuba.

Discography

Select Discography

YearArtistTitleAlbumCredits
2024Emi JeenOver YouOver You - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Sebastian GaskinGhostGhost - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Emi JeenShould WeShould We - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2023Tafari Anthony”5:20am (Just Text Me Back)“When I Met Your GirlfriendCo-Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Whiskey Bar“Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
2022 Aysanabee”Seeseepano”WatinProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Bringing The Fire“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Long Gone“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”War Cry“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Here I Am“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Bones“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”River“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”We Were Here“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Ego Death“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
"Nomads"Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Digging Roots”She Calls Me”ZhawenimCo-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Tall Grass“Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”The Healer“Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”SKODEN“Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Light Me Up“Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Cut My Hair“Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”No Breaking“Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”AK47“Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Sweetwater“Co-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Amanda Rheaume”Supposed To Be”The Spaces in BetweenCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Interlude 1“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”100 Years“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Death Of The American Dream“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Interlude 2“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Do About Her“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Maybe You Do“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”This Love“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Interlude 3“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Right By Your Side“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Supposed To Be“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Interlude 4“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”All Sides Of Me“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Magnolia”Donna”ConfluencerProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Interstate“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Short Fall“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Have You Always“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Orchard“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2021Amanda Rheaume”100 Years”100 Years - SingleProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Martha and the Muffins”Act Like A Woman“Marthology: In and OuttakesCo-Writer, Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Big Day“Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Musician
”Echo Beach 30th Anniversary Version“Co-Producer, Musician
SATE”0: Loofeht“The FoolProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Dirty Little Lie“Co-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Howler“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”I: Call.Her“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Nobody“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”II: Guardian Angel (feat. Salome Bey)“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Famous“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”III: dreamstream“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Weight On Me“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”The World“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”IV: #sfc (feat. Ursula Rucker)“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”The Fool“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Andrea Ramolo”Free feat. Kinnie StarrQuarantine DreamCo-Writer
Anna Cyzon”Losing You”Losing You - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Digging Roots”Cut My Hair”Cut My Hair - SingleCo-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Tania JoyAll SongsI Will StandProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Saint IdiotAll SongsAlternate Utopias from a Nostalgic FutureAdditional Production, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Digging Roots”The Healer”The Healer - SingleCo-Producer, Engineer, Musician
Cassie Dasilva”Unsolicited Contact“EnoughCo-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
”I Don’t Trust Anyone Anymore“Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Darkside“Co-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
Royal Wood”Say You Will”Say You Will - SingleCo-Writer, Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
Rachel Beck”Dizzy”Dizzy - SingleProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Andee”Your Last Kiss (feat. Stacey Kay)“One Plus One Equals UsCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Les idées immenses“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Bigger Dreams (Les idées immenses)“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2020Leela Gilday”Giants”Giants - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Sandra Bouza”Almost Love”Falling Away From MeCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Stone Junction“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Not Like Me“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Turn It Up“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Losing You“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Human Connection“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”East Side Woman“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Wrong Songs“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2019LeRiche”Connected”Connected - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
POESY”Strange Little Girl”Glass Box ConfessionalCo-Writer
Loviet”Symbol Of Love”Symbol Of Love - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Leela GildayAll SongsNorth Star CallingProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Pavlo”Crazy For You Love”TogetherCo-Writer, Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
Madison VioletAll SongsEverything’s ShiftingCo-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
SATE”Dirty Little Lie”Dirty Little Lie - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
2018Jules”Fools Gold (Alternate Version”People WatchingAdditional Production, mixer, engineer, Musician
”Before You Picked Her“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Prey“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Dessert First”Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Dakota“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Girl Feel Right“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Where Does That Leave Me“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Sirens“Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Derek Spill”Melancholy (feat. Hayden Scott)”Melancholy feat. Hayden Scott - SingleCo-Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Sandra BouzaAll SongsThree YearsProducer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Dave McEathron”The Other Side”Abandoned Companions & The Abandoned Companions Companion Piece Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Background Vocalist
”Luck”Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Background Vocalist
Serena Ryder”Christmas Kisses”Christmas KissesVocal Arranger, Background Vocals
”Blue Christmas”Vocal Arranger, Background Vocals
”I’ll Be Home For Christmas”Vocal Arranger, Background Vocals
”Jingle Bell Rock”Vocal Arranger, Background Vocals
Stacey Kay”I’m Not Adele”11 O’Clock NumberCo-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
2017Shawnee”Warrior HeartWarrior Heart - SingleCo-Producer, Engineer, Musician
Elle De Luna”Gaslight"Gaslight - SingleCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2016SATE”Know My Name”RedBlack&BlueCo-Writer
Meghan Patrick”Nothing’ But A Song”Grace & GritCo-Writer
Graph”Bad Behaviour”Lipstick GraphitiCo-Writer, Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Animal”Co-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Father Father”Co-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Eyes Are Like Windows”Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
2015Hill & The Sky HeroesAll SongsElectric MatterWriter, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Hill & The Sky Heroes”The Flame (Radio Version)”The Flame (Radio Version) - SingleWriter, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Hill & The Sky HeroesAll SongsDark DaysWriter, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2013Martha Johnson (singer)”No Man’s Land”Solo.OneCo-Writer
”My ReverieBackground Vocals
The Cliks”Savanna”Black Tie ElevatorCo-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Stop Drinking My Wine”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Dark Passenger”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Sleeping Alone”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Still”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”1000 Violins”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”4 Letter Words”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Cerise”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”No Good Do’er”Co-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
”She Was The One”Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Gone”Co-Writer, Producer, Engineer, Musician
”Walking In A Graveyard”Producer, Engineer, Musician
2012Hunter Valentine”The Pulse”Collide & ConquerCo-Writer, Background Vocals
Andrea England”Hothouse Flower”Hope & Other SinsCo-Writer
Hill & The Sky HeroesAll Songs11:11Co-Writer, Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
2011Saidah Baba Talibah”Revolution”Revolution - SingleCo-Producer, Engineer, Musician
Hill & The Sky HeroesAll Songs11EPCo-Writer, Co-Producer, Engineer, Musician
2010Mookie & The Loyalists”Took Me By Surprise”Mookie & The LoyalistsCo-Writer, Background Vocals

Remixes

YearArtistTitle
2019Rachel Beck”Hearts On Fire (Hill Kourkoutis Remix)”
2018Jill Barber”Girl’s Gotta Do (Hill Kourkoutis Remix)”
Good Lovelies”I See Gold - Radio Remix”
2017Madison Violet”We Are Famous (When We’re Breaking) [Remix]”
2015Hill & The Sky Heroes”Who Am I (feat. Tree)”
SATE”Warrior (The Sky Heroes Remix)”
Graph”The Light’s Out (The Sky Heroes Remix)”
July Talk”Paper Girl (The Sky Heroes Remix)”
Dear Rouge”Black To Gold (The Sky Heroes Remix)”
Adam Cohen”We Go Home (The Sky Heroes Remix)”

Composing

YearProjectTitleCredits
2024 - Season 3”Worth Doing Right“ (Ep. 01 - What's The Buzz)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
- Season 3”Make Things Right“ (Ep. 6 - Cake It Easy)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2023Armadillo Avalanche”I Got You“Songwriter, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician

The Mystery of Lookout Mountain

”Warning: Biggest Adventure Ahead“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
- Season 2”What I Can Do and What I Can't“ (Ep. 23 - Bring It On Beresford)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2022 - Season 2”This Was Unexpected“ (Ep. 8 - Hot Air Percy)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
- Season 1”The Number One Engine“ (Ep. 33 - A Light Delivery)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Between You and Me“ (Ep. 29 - Thomas and Percy’s Eggsellent Adventure)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”A Partner On The Rails“ (Ep. 11 - A Wide Delivery)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2021

Race For The Sodor Cup

”Look It’s Us“Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
Dino RanchTheme SongCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2020Remy %26 Boo”Better With You“ (Theme Song)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Heartbeat“ (End Credits Song)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2018Blowback (Film)ScoreComposer, producer, mixer, engineer, Musician
Gasha Go (Online Game)Theme SongCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2017Paper GirlsTheme SongCo-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
The Adventures of Napkin Man! - Season 3”Find The Fun“ (Episode: Go With The Flow)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”A Whole Lotta Love“ (Episode: Familysaurus)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Share One Thing At A Time“ (Episode: New Classmate Pt. 1)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”Join In“ (Episode: To Paint Or Not To Paint)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
”You Can Do It“ (Episode: Carnival King)Co-Writer, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Musician
2016Cadillac (Commercial)SongComposer, producer, mixer, engineer, Musician
2012Grimey (Short Film)ScoreComposer, producer, mixer, engineer, Musician
ACTRA

Get Women Working PSA (Short Film)

ScoreComposer, producer, mixer, engineer, Musician

Filmography

Music videos (as director)

Shorts/PSA’s

Television

Notes and References

  1. News: Official Site.
  2. News: IMDB Credits.
  3. Grein. Paul. Hill Kourkoutis Becomes First Woman to Receive a Juno Awards Nomination for Recording Engineer of the Year. March 8, 2022. March 8, 2022. Billboard.
  4. Holly Gordon, "Here are all the 2022 Juno Award winners". CBC Music, May 14, 2022.
  5. https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/here-are-all-the-2023-juno-nominees-1.6724343
  6. News: Radio Free Roscoe.