Getting to Know...Ilton
Get to Know Alt-pop NYC Artist ILTON and His New Song “Against the Wall”
In a new series we're calling "Getting to Know..." we're talking with new and emerging artists to find out more about their music, experiences, interests and goals. Today we're getting to know emerging Brooklyn, NYC artist Ilton!
On the heels of dropping a brand new single 'Against the Wall', Ilton is ready to turn the heat up on his music career.
“Against the Wall” is the anthem for the suppressed voice of rebellion inside all of us. Driven by a distorted electric guitar riff that merges with distinct indie dance elements, the climactic percussion leads us into a catchy militaristic chant hook. Anarchy meets Pop. Many becoming One.
With so much passion and electricity building in and around the artist, now is the perfect time to get to know ILTON!
To get started, tell us a little bit about you?
Hey! I am ILTON (yes, that's like Elton with an I, Hilton without the H) :-) from Brooklyn , NY. I produce and write records.
How long have you been making music? At what age did you really get started?
I think like most musicians , I have been trying to put tunes together for as long as I remember but didn’t actually pursue it until about a year ago.
How would you describe the particular style of music you make?
I like to stand within the contrast of ambient, ethereal vocals and moody electronic productions.
I call it Emotive Alt- Pop. I pretty much write and produce everything from the music to the visuals so there is a lot of imperfections and personal touches that allow for all kinds of emotions to take place.
Which music artists influenced you growing up? Who are you currently listening to?
This is one of those questions where I can’t actually answer truly because it's been so many.
I grew up in Albania and Greece, and thats a whole another world of influences as well. That said I was really enamored by Uk Pop from early on. Until this day I find that some of the greatest artists emerge from the Uk, because their industry has a lot less boundaries. Indie artists can really become mainstream and stay strange rather than always trying to be on top. I respect the intention and integrity behind it.
Have you been listening to or following many other LGBT artists and if so who has caught your ear/attention?
Way too many! There is this an awesome sense of community and helping each other create and I think its super exciting to be part of this scene right now. I always think of it as a High-school LGBT Class of 20 whatever we all sort of interact and learn from each other because unfortunately there isn’t many LGBTQ+ artists to look up to. You are always trying to find your own way to to do it.
I love Sam Smith, he is incredible. My friend Rina Sawayama also just put out an insane record and Kat Cunning has really been a soundtrack lately.
On the heels of dropping a brand new single 'Against the Wall', Ilton is ready to turn the heat up on his music career.
“Against the Wall” is the anthem for the suppressed voice of rebellion inside all of us. Driven by a distorted electric guitar riff that merges with distinct indie dance elements, the climactic percussion leads us into a catchy militaristic chant hook. Anarchy meets Pop. Many becoming One.
With so much passion and electricity building in and around the artist, now is the perfect time to get to know ILTON!
To get started, tell us a little bit about you?
Hey! I am ILTON (yes, that's like Elton with an I, Hilton without the H) :-) from Brooklyn , NY. I produce and write records.
How long have you been making music? At what age did you really get started?
I think like most musicians , I have been trying to put tunes together for as long as I remember but didn’t actually pursue it until about a year ago.
How would you describe the particular style of music you make?
I like to stand within the contrast of ambient, ethereal vocals and moody electronic productions.
I call it Emotive Alt- Pop. I pretty much write and produce everything from the music to the visuals so there is a lot of imperfections and personal touches that allow for all kinds of emotions to take place.
Which music artists influenced you growing up? Who are you currently listening to?
This is one of those questions where I can’t actually answer truly because it's been so many.
I grew up in Albania and Greece, and thats a whole another world of influences as well. That said I was really enamored by Uk Pop from early on. Until this day I find that some of the greatest artists emerge from the Uk, because their industry has a lot less boundaries. Indie artists can really become mainstream and stay strange rather than always trying to be on top. I respect the intention and integrity behind it.
Have you been listening to or following many other LGBT artists and if so who has caught your ear/attention?
Way too many! There is this an awesome sense of community and helping each other create and I think its super exciting to be part of this scene right now. I always think of it as a High-school LGBT Class of 20 whatever we all sort of interact and learn from each other because unfortunately there isn’t many LGBTQ+ artists to look up to. You are always trying to find your own way to to do it.
I love Sam Smith, he is incredible. My friend Rina Sawayama also just put out an insane record and Kat Cunning has really been a soundtrack lately.
When creating your own music, where do you draw inspiration from?
I have now released four songs and they are all in different genres ahaha, but I ‘ll tell you that each one of those songs has a very deep personal message. That's where the inspiration lies. I will never try to copy a trend or get on some sort of viral wave. I don’t look at other artists and try to curate my work or look in that style because I don’t make music to become successful. I make music that highlight really important moments in my life . I feel like my catalogue is slowly becoming this audible journal. I listen to stuff I made when I was 13 and I can put myself in that moment and feel those feelings that made me write that specific song. It’s magical.
Who has been your biggest supporter?
For me at first it was my awesome friends, who are actually super supportive in the process behind the scenes as well. Just the other day I got on FaceTime and kept my friend Michael on the phone for two hours , just bouncing every thought and idea of things I wanted to do. 98% of those things will never leave my brain and get done). That’s real support. Also, As I keep releasing music there is always amazing people from places I have never even been, becoming part of this journey and supporting in ways that shocks me sometimes. They constantly reach out through social media and become engaged with my whole life. It’s quite beautiful because I actually get to know them back as well.
Have you had a lot of experience performing live? Do you get nervous before a performance?
I’ve only performed three shows but I gotta say, being on stage is probably where I feel most confident. Not because I think I have some mesmerizing voice people need to hear or cause I can shred the guitar (god I wish I knew) , but because it is where I feel most grateful. It is the moment that I can “Stop and smell the roses”. Within the first few bars of making a song I have already envisioned the whole stage presentation in my head, and a lot of times it is how I steer my music. Will this be a song I want to sing live? …If I am singing it live it is because I can communicate what I' m feeling.
What has been you most memorable gig?
Last year I headlined Baby’s Alright. It was so hype because my friend, Ayumi, whose music I produce got to open for me. It was a family affair so there was a lot of good vibes and some great support.
Who would your dream music collaboration be with? Either writing or performing with.
I would love to work with Banks. I really get that woman and everything she is doing. I think our styles would really mesh well.
I have now released four songs and they are all in different genres ahaha, but I ‘ll tell you that each one of those songs has a very deep personal message. That's where the inspiration lies. I will never try to copy a trend or get on some sort of viral wave. I don’t look at other artists and try to curate my work or look in that style because I don’t make music to become successful. I make music that highlight really important moments in my life . I feel like my catalogue is slowly becoming this audible journal. I listen to stuff I made when I was 13 and I can put myself in that moment and feel those feelings that made me write that specific song. It’s magical.
Who has been your biggest supporter?
For me at first it was my awesome friends, who are actually super supportive in the process behind the scenes as well. Just the other day I got on FaceTime and kept my friend Michael on the phone for two hours , just bouncing every thought and idea of things I wanted to do. 98% of those things will never leave my brain and get done). That’s real support. Also, As I keep releasing music there is always amazing people from places I have never even been, becoming part of this journey and supporting in ways that shocks me sometimes. They constantly reach out through social media and become engaged with my whole life. It’s quite beautiful because I actually get to know them back as well.
Have you had a lot of experience performing live? Do you get nervous before a performance?
I’ve only performed three shows but I gotta say, being on stage is probably where I feel most confident. Not because I think I have some mesmerizing voice people need to hear or cause I can shred the guitar (god I wish I knew) , but because it is where I feel most grateful. It is the moment that I can “Stop and smell the roses”. Within the first few bars of making a song I have already envisioned the whole stage presentation in my head, and a lot of times it is how I steer my music. Will this be a song I want to sing live? …If I am singing it live it is because I can communicate what I' m feeling.
What has been you most memorable gig?
Last year I headlined Baby’s Alright. It was so hype because my friend, Ayumi, whose music I produce got to open for me. It was a family affair so there was a lot of good vibes and some great support.
Who would your dream music collaboration be with? Either writing or performing with.
I would love to work with Banks. I really get that woman and everything she is doing. I think our styles would really mesh well.
What’s something on your music career “bucket” list?
Please BOOK ME FOR A FESTIVAL. Thank you.
Thats it.
That’s all I want.
What’s your advice to the young artists out there looking to start releasing their own music?
To not push anything because you are most likely pushing the wrong things. Let it come to you, keep putting music out. Beyonce wasn’t build in a day.
Super power of choice?
Time control
What’s one last thing you want readers to know about you?
Find me, Say Hi. I don’t bite :-)
ILTON is an indie electronic artist/producer based in NYC who stands within the contrast of ambient, ethereal vocals and moody electronic productions. In previous years, ILTON has supported major acts in shows, working with artists such as Bob Moses, Porches, Wyclef Jean, Emmett Kai and Nick Monaco.
Please BOOK ME FOR A FESTIVAL. Thank you.
Thats it.
That’s all I want.
What’s your advice to the young artists out there looking to start releasing their own music?
To not push anything because you are most likely pushing the wrong things. Let it come to you, keep putting music out. Beyonce wasn’t build in a day.
Super power of choice?
Time control
What’s one last thing you want readers to know about you?
Find me, Say Hi. I don’t bite :-)
ILTON is an indie electronic artist/producer based in NYC who stands within the contrast of ambient, ethereal vocals and moody electronic productions. In previous years, ILTON has supported major acts in shows, working with artists such as Bob Moses, Porches, Wyclef Jean, Emmett Kai and Nick Monaco.
Follow ILTON on Social Media
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