Artist info
Genre
Indie, Punk, Rock
Influences
Joy Division, The Smiths, Lorde, Sonic Youth, Siouxsie and the Banshees
Unearthed artists we like
Triple One, SCK CHX, Mac the Knife, Space Boys, leftprojects, The Owls, Dissclaimer, The Darrans
Website
Bio
Johnny Hunter is equal parts unfiltered anarchy and cabaret. Matching high energy musicality with stagemanship that charms a crowd with ease, the band is a beast all its own as a performance unit. Individualistic and unashamedly fearless in their delivery, Johnny Hunter revels in each quirk, dark twist of eyeliner, slick back of a mullet and moan of a vocal.
As a group, they offer up a mirror to the changing times we live in through their music. In 2018’s ‘One Of A Kind’, ‘1995’, ‘Cult Classic’, and then 2019’s ‘Ashamed’ and ‘Pain & Joy’, the band demonstrates a raw response to navigating a world that is becoming more unhinged than ever. An unapologetic love for fiery, gut-punching punk energy, as well as pop songwriting to break a heart forms the foundation of their body of work, one that is still ever-changing as the band prepares for the release of their debut EP this year.
Named as one of Double J’s best on ground acts at BIGSOUND, the band has become a fast favourite around the country from sharing stages with artists including Jack White, Press Club, City Calm Down, and Kirin J Callinan.
This week on triple j Unearthed we're featuring Johnny Hunter!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
We took the classic sounds that we grew up with and modernised it to fit the ideas of the high energy live show to bring the character of Johnny Hunter to life.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
EVERYTHING!
What can punters expect from a Johnny Hunter live show?
Blood sweat and tears.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
From reading the memoires David Bowie, I came to this conclusion: Look and Listen to EVERYTHING and step outside your comfort zone. Your inspiration doesn’t have to just come from music it can come from reading books, watching film, viewing art, photography or architecture
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'The Piss, The Perfume' by Hayley Mary.
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'Higgs Boson Blues' by Nick Cave.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Love at first sight' by Kylie Minogue. A stunning classic, a must in any DJ set and if you are a DJ and that song is not in your set then you’re no DJ to me.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers. Wonderful gig, lovely bunch of people. The Jesus Teens really know how to nail a harmony and get a crowd moving.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.
100, The buoys, egoism, Georgia June, Baby Beef, Moody Beach and Mac the Knife are all pillars of the local Sydney music scene and modern pioneers of heart stopping live performances. I’ve recently had the pleasure of writing with Jack Moffitt from The Preature’s and he’s someone I can exchange great music and ideas with. A real all-round class act.
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Another brilliant cut from Johnny Hunter. Happy Early Trauma EP release day to you legends!
Another brilliant cut from Johnny Hunter. Happy Early Trauma EP release day to you legends!
Review
i'm going to surprise absolutely no one by saying that i really dig this new cut from the ep and think that everyone needs to hear you guys. i like that this combines those big backup vocals with melodies that sound a little different for johnny hunter.
i'm going to surprise absolutely no one by saying that i really dig this new cut from the ep and think that everyone needs to hear you guys. i like that this combines those big backup vocals with melodies that sound a little different for johnny hunter.
Review
Is it a Johnny Hunter song if the gang vocals and Nick's emphatic message don't feel like a hair-raising call to the wild? Put this on and kick start a new journey; a physical, mental, or emotional one - it could be any or all with this band.
Is it a Johnny Hunter song if the gang vocals and Nick's emphatic message don't feel like a hair-raising call to the wild? Put this on and kick start a new journey; a physical, mental, or emotional one - it could be any or all with this band.
