There are many causes an artist would possibly hold going when the street to a music profession proves longer and more durable than anticipated. For Welsh singer-songwriter SJ Hill, there may be one purpose that issues greater than the remaining: a promise he made to his mum.
That promise – to by no means hand over on music – grew to become the inspiration behind Hill’s new single, ‘Chasing Desires’. Written alongside longtime collaborator Tommy John and produced by Tom Auton, the emotive observe is an trustworthy reflection on ambition, disappointment and the dedication required to maintain pursuing one thing when success doesn’t arrive in your most popular timeline.
“I made a promise to my mum that I might by no means hand over on music,” Hill says. “Irrespective of what number of setbacks I face, regardless of how lengthy it takes and regardless of how tough it will get, I’m going to maintain chasing this dream.”
It’s a sentiment that comes with some historical past…
Born in Cardiff, SJ Hill has spent years carving out his place throughout the Welsh and wider UK music scenes, growing a sound that strikes between soul, R&B, pop and nation whereas establishing himself as a vocalist recognized for emotionally charged performances.
The journey has included its share of milestones. Hill received an episode of ITV’s Romeo & Duet, made it to the bootcamp stage of The X Issue and reached the semi-finals of Y LLAIS – The Welsh Voice. His music has subsequently obtained assist from BBC Radio Wales, together with A-Record play, in addition to BBC Radio 1Xtra and Spotify’s Contemporary Finds. He has additionally carried out at venues together with Wembley Area and O2 Academy London.
Extra lately, his single ‘Tonight’ attracted greater than 1.4 million Instagram views and surpassed 40,000 streams – indicators of an viewers persevering with to develop across the singer.
However numbers and profession milestones aren’t actually what ‘Chasing Desires’ is about.
As an alternative, Hill makes use of the track to acknowledge the much less glamorous facet of attempting to make it in music: the uncertainty, the setbacks, the sacrifices and the moments when strolling away can appear to be the extra wise choice.
That stress offers the observe its emotional centre. The dream itself hasn’t modified; what has modified is Hill’s understanding of what it takes to pursue it.
“I don’t know precisely the place this journey goes to take me, however I do know I’m not stopping,” he says. “I’ve come too far, labored too arduous and made a promise which means all the things to me.”
For Hill, that promise has change into greater than a profession ambition. It connects the artist he’s now with the one that first dreamed of creating music – and with the mom who inspired him to maintain believing in it.
“I’m going to maintain chasing the dream till I’ve received nothing left to present,” he says.
With ‘Chasing Desires’, SJ Hill isn’t pretending the journey has been straightforward. He’s documenting why, regardless of all the things, he’s nonetheless on it.
Obtain / stream ‘Chasing Desires’ right here.
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