July 2026 Cover Story: Nino of The Hills
When you tell people you went to Malibu High School, they usually laugh. I don't blame them either, it doesn't feel real to say out loud. The laughter is a common response when highlighting my alma mater. Though it sounds like everything you would want it to be, it truly was an anticlimactic experience.
Yes, you were only a 5 minute walk down to Zuma beach. No, there weren’t any hallways because everything was outside. It was a unique experience and one that I often look back on with a sense of pride.
Not because I’m overly proud to be a Shark. (Yes, the most stereotypical mascot the school could have). But because of the creative autonomy that the school cultivated and enabled. I look back and realize many of my creative and professional reference points all stem back from classes like Film studies, Ceramics and Film production.
The school was a playground for creative expression. There were endless amounts of extremely creative individuals all looking to do what they loved. Creating dope art. One example is Hunter Blaze Pearson, who we sat down with previously.
A few of these people have gone on to create and cultivate businesses and successful careers that have made waves throughout the landscape for their respective mediums.
Another example is my guy Trent Simonian, co-founder of the popular social media platform @sidetalknyc. Which took over the streets of NYC and blew up all over our socials, creating addictive content highlighting the beautiful chaos that New York has to offer. BING BONG!
For many, they found SideTalk as this fresh new energy of boots on the ground journalism and content creation but the formula began at Malibu High. Simonian [Trent Simonian] was conducting a lot of the same types of interviews and creating videos in Film/production class or as we called it, ‘Shark TV’.
As I began building a list of people I wanted to talk to and create with, I couldn't help but think of our July cover subject, Nino of The Hills. A fellow Malibu High shark who has cultivated his talent and love for music ever since he stepped foot on campus.
Photo of Nino of The Hills from Hunter Blaze Pearson
Participating in forums like the orchestra and performing original work at talent shows and graduations, Nino started to realize that he was too good not to take his ability and craft to the next level. Though basketball and hoop dreams played a part in his story and focus, the love of playing guitar and the internal drive to be great has led him to opportunities that have allowed him to grace stages all over the country.
There have been highs and lows, but the focus remains the same. Create dope work and continue to leave his mark.
In our conversation, we discuss where his love for the guitar and music stems from. While discussing and highlighting the inspirations for his love of guitar and who he aspires to create like. All while discussing the journey of what it takes to be a touring musician.
When asked about the origin story of the name, Nino of The Hills, it stems back to where home is. As a self-proclaimed “Laurel Canyon Baby”, we found that the history stems from walking and exploring the hills surrounding Los Angeles and Hollywood. Which is the perfect setting to be inspired into doing anything creative.
Nino [Nino of The Hill’s] began his creative journey from a young age. Telling the story of how his mother took him to a children’s orchestra concert and was hooked. Seeing those older than him excelling on stage, the competitive fire was birthed into a new love and appreciation for music. He saw the older kid on the piano and said to himself “I can do that”. He soon after chose the guitar. To be different from what inspired him and to pave his own path.
We can all relate to these types of moments. Those experiences and moments that serve as the catalyst. Whether it’s rooted in genuine curiosity/ appreciation or even competitiveness, the feeling of being inspired is electric. The creative buzz begins to flow and a new passion takes over the purpose.
That’s only the beginning though. For Nino, the competitive fire to be better than his peers created a hunger for growth. What began as a hobby slowly became a passion. Hours of practice followed as he began fine tuning his technical abilities. Creativity was always in the household for Nino. Though at times he would get upset at the accountability his parents held him to when it came to the work, he in hindsight feels appreciative for the push explaining:
Photo of Nino of The Hills from Hunter Blaze Pearson
“You know when you're a kid and you don’t fully understand what it takes to get things moving. You don't know how much determination and consistency it truly takes to be great….My parents were really good at making sure I stuck with it and that I was good at it. At the time I was for sure ungrateful for it. But looking back I'm like thank God, thank God, thank God.”
When asked about specific artists that served as inspiration the list was extensive. The history of the guitar has no boundaries to genre or era. As his playing matured, he found artists like Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen and Terry Kath.
Nino admitted himself that the names may be a little “guitar nerdy”, but he was opening my eyes to those who changed the way the guitar was played and used in music. You see that many of the artists that served as inspirations for Nino all had similar things in common. They wanted to be different.
Other names include Ray Parker Jr., for his funk and rhythm. Eric Gales, with his expression of creativity as a whole. The legendary B.B. King and his amazing phrasing and showing Nino what it meant for the notes to sing.
Eddie Van Halen is considered one of the most influential and innovative guitarists ever. Pioneering new waves of sound into the rock genre. Using elements of Jazz and blues, blending it with classical music. This sort of innovation is inspiring to those looking to pave their own paths and to breathe new life into music that can sometimes be considered formulaic.
Nino explained how back in High school he composed and wrote a song for a graduation performance. It was very orchestral, but he sprinkled in his love for Hip Hop and other music to create a composition called “In My Bag”. Which he feels was a pivotal point in his creativity.
“Shoutout Dr. Zander because, um, I, we did an original composition of mine called In My Bag. It was from an EP that I released when I was 16, sophomore year, called “Out”. It was an orchestral hip hop song that had a massive guitar solo in the middle of it. For graduation we ended up playing the orchestrated version, and I played guitar at the graduation. It ended up working that people needed to see me”
This is another example of the creativity that Malibu High cultivated. Not only were there plenty of opportunities to work on and develop your craft, but there were always avenues for expression and performance. These moments are what build the confidence to begin taking your creativity to the next level.
So now you take that confidence and those reps and look to take the next level. We find Nino now as a touring artist, traveling the world and living out a bit of the dream that has been brewing for years. There are highs and lows that come with it though. With aspirations of being forward-facing and eventually having his own band, Nino explained how though he is a supportive member as a guitarist in bands, he never really feels that way.
“I can never be a supporting cast”—at least that's how he feels. Elaborating on how though he is a member of collective bands and groups, he always feels like it's just him out there when he’s performing. “And you know, I do get hired as a guitarist…but they hire me to be me though. Which is what I love about it. They know who I am and what I bring to the table.”
It’s a confident position to take. Something that is admirable and based on the amount of work that he’s put in to get there. Not only the work, but the experience life brings along the way. Moments/seasons of solitude and self discovery can all serve a creative catalyst. Ones that can allow us to discover new things not just in creativity, but ourselves.
“I think, you know, like you, we've been through so many experiences in life…And there's been a lot of things where I've had to be by myself and center myself, and it's all about really the promises that you make to yourself that you keep to yourself.”
Photo of Nino of The Hills from Hunter Blaze Pearson
”I know that I practice, and I know what I do on a stage.I know that I can sing. Like, I know the things that I do, although don't get me wrong, I will get infinitely better at it, I’m always working to get better. I'm confident in the work that I have put in thus far and the work I’m willing to continue. That’s what I say builds my confidence. Practice, consistency, and discipline”.
Nino doesn’t limit his artistic expression to only music. He finds joy and inspiration in the art of fashion as well. With a history of making and designing his own clothes, Nino has always looked at fashion as another medium to show off his individuality. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Nino noted that his mother was the source of inspiration for his love of clothing.
“My mom is the swaggiest person you'll ever meet in your life. I love my mom, she’s just the coolest lady on the planet. She’s probably given me some of the stuff I'm wearing now. All the rings and bracelets I wear are because of her.”
The style comes straight from the source. With influence sprinkled in from different eras, you can tell that Nino leans more towards the vintage looks that were hot in the 60s and 70s. As we look at the fashion landscape in 2026, many have begun adopting aspects of fashion that made those times so special.
“I always think about it, kind of the 60s and 70s. I love, like, the simple things like James Dean. Like a white shirt and blue pants and such. I love flares with boots. We’re in a baggy era right now, but if anything it shows that the look is timeless. You know if you got a good flare with a boot, you’re swagged out. That’s been my go-to as of late”.
Photo of Nino of The Hills @ Zuma Beach from Hunter Blaze Pearson
When closing the conversation we shifted the focus towards Malibu. After spending the day chilling around the area, you can’t help but reflect on what type of feeling you get when you're in a place like that. Malibu provides a certain type of energy where creativity thrives. The clear air, light breezes and ocean sounds all combine for a medley of peace. One that can help serve as the soundtrack for some of the best idea generations.
I myself find that many of my best ideas are when I’m on the beaches of Malibu. The calm leads to clear thoughts and a less congestive path to the source. Nino agreed and shared specifically how Malibu as always served as inspiration.
“You know what I mean?Just, like, this view. This air.The way the breeze hits from the ocean. You know, I don't know how to surf. If I did, I'd be surfing. Malibu really just brings a sense of joy and it's very just, you know, very freeing in a way. Cause I feel like it's a little bit detached, 'cause it's close to LA, but you're detached from it. You don't really have any of the city that's happening. You have a few cool attractions that you can go to, but think that Malibu's inspiration is just the waves. It's the ocean, the way it sounds. It's always inspired me ever since we went to school out here”.
Nino now continues to create new music when the creative bug hits and continues to play with Hollow Pact. Be sure to check him out on all his socials to follow the journey!
