Theo Hilton

Theo Hilton
Theo Hilton
Origin	Athens, Georgia
Genres	Indie folk; folk punk; indie rock; lo-fi;
Occupations	Singer-songwriter; musician;
Instruments	Drums; guitar; vocals;
Years active	2003–present
Member of	Nana Grizol
Formerly of	Defiance, Ohio; Shark Shark;

Theo Hilton is an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his work as drummer and vocalist for the folk punk band Defiance, Ohio, singer-songwriter of indie folk band Nana Grizol, and co-founder of all-queer DIY record label Cruisin' Records. Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, Hilton's music is largely shaped by his experiences growing up queer in small town America.

Career

Defiance, Ohio

Hilton joined the band in 2005, filling in on drums. He would later both play guitar and sing for the band.

Nana Grizol

Officially formed in 2007 by Hilton, Nana Grizol features Neutral Milk Hotel-alumni Laura Carter and Robbie Cucchiaro on horns, and a plethora of other musicians from the Athens, GA area.

Cruisin' Records

In partnership with long-time friend and fellow musician Clyde Peterson, Hilton launched Cruisin' Records in 2018, with the intention of supporting and promoting queer artists.^[1] Every band signed to Cruisin' Records consists of queer musicians or actively supports LGBT causes.^[1]

Personal life

Hilton is openly queer. He currently resides in New Orleans, where he is a PhD student of cultural anthropology at Tulane University.^[2]

Discography

With Defiance, Ohio

Albums
Release Date	Title	Label	Format
April 13, 2006	The Great Depression	No Idea Records	CD, LP
December 4, 2007	The Fear, the Fear, the Fear	No Idea Records	CD, LP
July 6, 2010	Midwestern Minutes	No Idea Records	CD, LP

Demos & EPs
Release Date	Title	Label	Format
2009	Songs for the Icarus Project	Self-released	MP3
2012	The Calling	No Idea Records	MP3

With Shark Shark

EPs
Release Date	Title	Label	Format
June 19, 2014	shark shark	Self-released^[3]	MP3

With Nana Grizol

Albums
Release Date	Title	Label	Format
May 13, 2008	Love It Love It	Orange Twin Record Company^[4]	CD, LP
January 10, 2010	Ruth	Orange Twin Record Company^[5]	CD, LP
March 31, 2017	Ursa Minor	Orange Twin Record Company^[6]	CD, LP
June 26, 2020	South Somewhere Else	Don Giovanni Records / Arrowhawk Records	CD, LP
December 23, 2022	Dancing Dogs	Cruisin' Records	LP, MP3

Compilations
Release Date	Title	Label	Format
October 19, 2018	Theo Zumm	Cruisin' Records	CD, LP

EPs
Release Date	Title	Label	Format
2014	Nightlights I-III + Tacoma Center 1600	Self-released	MP3

References

^ ^a ^b Scott, Rosemary (2018-10-10). "Theo Hilton's Cruisin' Records Offers a Safe Space for Queer Musicians". Flagpole. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
^ "About". Cruisin Records. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
^ "shark shark, by shark shark". shark shark. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
^ Hilton, Robin (19 August 2008). "Nana Grizol: 'Circles 'Round The Moon'". NPR. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
^ Frisicano, Andrew (2 November 2009). "E6's Nana Grizol – new album, MP3 & 2009 tour dates". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
^ Schecter, Karina (23 April 2017). "Nana Grizol Springs Back into Relevancy with an Incredible New Album". WRVU. Retrieved 16 May 2018.

[:1-1] Scott, Rosemary (2018-10-10). "Theo Hilton's Cruisin' Records Offers a Safe Space for Queer Musicians". Flagpole. Retrieved 2024-03-21.

[:0-2] "About". Cruisin Records. Retrieved 2024-03-21.

[3] "shark shark, by shark shark". shark shark. Retrieved 2024-03-23.

[NPR-4] Hilton, Robin (19 August 2008). "Nana Grizol: 'Circles 'Round The Moon'". NPR. Retrieved 16 May 2018.

[Brooklyn_Vegan-5] Frisicano, Andrew (2 November 2009). "E6's Nana Grizol – new album, MP3 & 2009 tour dates". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 16 May 2018.

[WRVU-6] Schecter, Karina (23 April 2017). "Nana Grizol Springs Back into Relevancy with an Incredible New Album". WRVU. Retrieved 16 May 2018.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

v t e Defiance, Ohio
Ryan Woods Geoff Hing Will Staler Elizabeth "BZ" Gibbs Sherri Miller Theo Hilton
Studio albums	Share What Ya Got (2003) The Great Depression (2006) The Fear, the Fear, the Fear (2007) Midwestern Minutes (2010)