The project grew out of their time performing together in the UK folk band Suntrap, where a shared love of English folk music and storytelling first took shape. Since then, Hilson has become a space where both artists’ individual passions converge: Paul’s background in songwriting, production, and studio craft, and Mary’s poetic sensibility and evocative lyric writing, influenced by her MA in poetry and a deep connection to the English countryside.

For Hilson, the studio is a place of exploration and experimentation. Songs often begin with acoustic guitar ideas before expanding through layered production, while remaining grounded in melody, harmony, and emotional clarity. Their work balances warmth and restraint with a willingness to push beyond traditional folk boundaries.

Recent Work:
Hilson’s debut production music work has been created exclusively for MediaTracks. Outside of production music, Paul has co-written and produced songs released by artists including Louise Wisechild (Dancing to Guantanamera, Promise Land, Not the Enemy) and Lo Bradley (Sweet Sorrow).

Dream Commission:
Lush Americana-influenced songs with real strings and expansive production or “twisted folk” that fuses acoustic foundations with synthesisers, drum machines, and found sound.

Instruments:
Acoustic guitar (live), electric guitar (live), electric bass (live), violins (live), male and female vocals (live), sampled acoustic drums, sampled piano and strings, synthesisers, found sounds (birdsong, rain, church bells)