Eric Hilton (music producer)
American musician, DJ, and restaurateur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eric Hilton is an American music producer, musician, DJ, and restaurateur known for co-founding the electronic music group Thievery Corporation and ESL Music.[1][2]
Eric Hilton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 (age 60–61) |
| Occupations | Music producer, Musician, DJ, and restaurateur |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Known for | Co-founding Thievery Corporation and ESL Music |
| Website | erichilton |
Early life and education
Eric Hilton was born in 1965 in Rockville, Maryland.[1]
He moved to downtown Washington, D.C. at the age of 18, where he began working as a DJ in local clubs and hosting parties in vacant warehouses.[1]
Career
Music
In 1995, Hilton formed Thievery Corporation with Rob Garza.[3] The duo combines electronic rhythms with elements of bossa nova, hip-hop, Indian rock, and reggae, contributing to what has been described as a new style of ambient electronic music.[4] They are considered to be the pioneers of Downtempo.[5] Their work has been featured in various commercials, television shows, and films. Hilton's Washington, D.C. Eighteenth Street Lounge gained attention as a destination for visitors.[6]
In addition to his work with Thievery Corporation, Hilton released his albums, Infinite Everywhere and The Impossible Silence in 2020, and another album, Ceremony, in 2021.[7][8] He also co-produced Carry Me Home: A Reggae Tribute to Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson with The Archives.[7] In 2022, his solo album Lost Dialect was released.[9] In 2023, he worked with Natalia Clavier to release another album titled Corazón Kintsugi.[10]
In 2024, Hilton released two albums. The first, Sound Vagabond, was ranked #2 on the NACC Radio Charts in the Electronic category and #3 in the Chill category.[11] That same year, Hilton debuted his first ambient album, Out of the Blur, which was created during a period of grief following the death of a close friend and engineer from a drug overdose, coinciding with Hilton's decision to pursue sobriety.[12]
Restaurants and bars
Hilton began his career in the hospitality industry in 1995 by opening the Eighteenth Street Lounge in Washington, D.C.[13] The lounge was located above a mattress shop and was known for its distinctive decor, specific admission policy, and the music by Thievery Corporation.[14] The club closed in 2020.[15]
Working independently and alongside his brother, Ian, Hilton subsequently opened multiple bars and restaurants across Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.[16] These include Marvin, the Brixton, Satellite Room, American Ice Company, El Rey, the Gibson, Chez Billy Sud, and Cafe Colline.[17]
Hilton's expansion into Northern Virginia has included versions of Cafe Colline and El Rey.[13][18]
Outside of his hospitality work, he edited the low-budget film Babylon Central and has been involved in art spaces.[19]