In conversation with Johnny Hunter
Interview by Kieran Tibbert

Johnny Hunter are a post-punk five-piece who have just relocated to the UK from Australia to continue their rise in the music industry. I spoke with them about their latest offering, where they began down under, and what the band have coming up in the near future…

How are you doing and where in the world are you right now?

JH: All over the shop mate! We decided to turn our lives quite literally upside down and move to your neck of the woods from Sydney, Australia to the Northern Hemisphere, England. It’s got its ups and downs but the world is our oyster as it sits upon our doorstep.

Your latest track Frustration was released on the 10th of May, how has the reaction to this track been so far?

Our fans love it, the radio back home has been supporting it nicely, so we’re happy with the response.

Tell us a bit more about the track, is there any particular meaning behind the title or lyrics?

The idea comes from a deep aggravation as to how things are going, for those with their head in the sand things may seem dandy but looking at the state of the world that’s pretty much not the case, right? From mass lockdowns, genocide to looming nuclear war. Our control over our own destiny has never seemed so far from our own reach. No one trusts anything anyone says anymore through fear of fabrication under the pantomime of AI and media. Frustration is our way of taking it in our stride and not letting the threat of impending dread consume us.

You’ve recently relocated to the UK from Australia, what were the reasons behind moving, and how have you found being in the UK so far?

Yes, we love our homeland, but to put it bluntly there are only a handful of cities to tour and they mostly cost an arm and a leg to get to. Also we want to explore the world, that’s the whole point of being a touring artist, no? The UK is such an anomaly, Peep Show and The Boosh have never made more sense to us.

Where did it all start for you back in Australia? Was there anything in particular that helped the band get going?

Sydney, we played in other bands and the nucleus of Johnny Hunter was developed through mutual music appreciation and a yearning for fiercer live shows, no Isaac Newton apple on the head moment, it just happened.

Since being back in the UK, you’ve performed at The Great Escape festival. How was your experience – how did it feel to be back on the stage?

The Great Escape was always the ‘be all and end all’ for us so it was quite a special experience, particularly since it was our first time in the UK and we played to packed rooms. The stage is home so it felt good to be home.

What is one thing which helps the band stand out from others?

My voice is the watermark!

What renowned music artists or bands do Johnny Hunter revere?

Bowie, Lorde, Muse, Depeche Mode, Roxy Music, LCD, Springsteen, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cure, Fontaines DC, Shame, The Last Dinner Party (more recently, the harmonies that band sing are heavenly), and Justice.

Are there any upcoming tracks that you’re looking forward to releasing – what does the rest of 2024 have in store for you?

Our next single is our most left field from the original Johnny Hunter sound. Its bloody audacious. There’ll be tours of the UK, tours of the EU, new songs and even more new songs!

************************************************************

You can find Johnny Hunter here:
Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

Interview: Kieran Tibbert – Portfolio | Instagram | Twitter
Photo via Bark PR

Published 27th June 2024