What I always found unique about different artists was how expressive they are when it comes to making music that not only resonates with listeners but also leaves a lasting impression as well. Hunter Oliveri does just that with his vibrant alternative/grunge-inspired sound that weaves through each track, followed by personality and a genuine passion for making music. His latest album, "Teen Slug," which is set to release August 22, reflects on a medley of different experiences when it comes to the "art" of being a teen and the rollercoaster ride of adulthood. A feeling we all know too well. I recently had the chance to chat with Hunter about what inspires him musically, how the album title was created, and what's been the most rewarding for him so far. Here's what he had to say.
For those who may just be discovering your music, how would you describe yourself as an artist?
Hunter: I think I just get along with everyone for the most part. If you listen to my music, then cool, and if not, then that's cool too. I don't really mind, honestly; I just like making music.
What first inspired you to start creating music?
Hunter: When I was like 3 or 4, I was super interested in guitars. It was just me and my dad playing in the garage and hanging out. He would teach me stuff, and I don't know, I was just playing guitar. At a young age, I did a little preschool show when I was in preschool for my graduation class. Yeah, also growing up I always liked playing and got a mic, got a computer, all that, and started making random demos and stuff. It just kind of progressed from that.
What do you think sets you apart from other artists in your genre?
Hunter: Probably the style of music I make. I guess I'm really diverse in some ways. Honestly, for me, maybe not a whole lot. It just depends if you like my music again and depends on every song. When I listen to bands or artists, they all give a different sound to me. There's not really one thing that I could pinpoint that differentiates me from everybody else, like I stand out or something.
How do you decide which ideas are worth developing into a full song?
Hunter: That's a tough one. Sometimes I have trouble with that because I'll like something a lot, and then other people won't like it. I think I like sitting on stuff for a while because I'll like something a lot at first, and then maybe a week later I'll hate it. So, yeah, I'll sit on it for a while, and if I keep going back to it, then that kind of shows me that I should take it to the next level or keep progressing it and keep working on it. Yeah, that's a tough one because sometimes I'll really like something, and everyone else is kind of like, "Eh, that's not really the best," or I can tell they don't really like it as much as I do. I'll also see their perspective a few weeks later or a few days later. I guess just getting other people's opinions for sure helps a lot.
When it comes to songwriting, do you usually work with others or write solo?
Hunter: Most of them I do just by myself. I have a band, so sometimes we write stuff. I'll work with the producer, and they'll pitch in a little bit with their input or help on a little section if they hear something. Mostly it's just me with demos that I make. Yeah, sometimes if I'm struggling in a section, I'll have someone, like a writer, help me on a section if I'm missing, like, a pre-chorus or a specific part of the song. Usually I like the stuff I make the most.
How did the idea for your latest album, Teen Slug, come about? What was the process like for bringing everything together?
Hunter: I guess just looking back at the album, I realized it was kind of about just being a teen. A lot of the songs I wrote a couple years ago, so I realize they were kind of about growing up and not wanting to grow up. Just wanting to be a teenager and hanging out with friends, then transitioning into adulthood just kind of sucked. So, Teen Slug to me kind of means a lazy teenager that doesn't want to grow up. It just kind of stuck with me. I don't know how I came up with "Teen Slug" exactly and that name, but somehow it came about, and it just stuck with me. I think I wrote it on this wall. I have this wall with, like, crazy-ass writing. All my friends like to write on there, and I think I just wrote it one day, and I'd just see it from my bed because my bed is right here. I think I was just looking at it one day and was like, "I should name the album that."
Where did the inspiration and creativity for these songs come from?
Hunter: Yeah, for the most part. I don't think I can pinpoint, like, this song had to do with this specific scenario. When I write music, for the most part I just mess around at first on guitar with different melodies and write stuff. Yeah, I just think it's who I am with the experiences I've had. Nothing in particular, like, "This song is about this scenario" or "That song is about this specific thing." I think it's more just who I am as a person.
Does your latest single, "Lunatics," tie into the themes or mood of Teen Slug, or does it stand on its own?
Hunter: The theme of that was about the current state of the world. There are a lot of chaos and a lot of ignorant people, and all sorts of people, to be honest. All different types of people, and I guess it was just my perspective of the world, like, everyone's kind of crazy. Not necessarily in a bad way, but there's just so much going on. I don't know; there's just a lot of shit going on. Like news and politics, and everybody lives a different story, I guess. Everybody has something going on differently, and it's just crazy. I was in a car one day just driving, and I was thinking, like, "Everybody in every single car has something else going on in their lives." Like, this person could be going through a breakup, this person could have won the lottery, this person could be celebrating their birthday, and this person could have been going to the mall. I think that's what it was kind of about. Even in war, there's just so much going on. Some people are fighting a war while other people are in their hospital bed. That's a crazy concept for me to think about, like, there are so many people, and they're all doing something different. Somehow we crossed paths right now because you're interviewing me. It's a cool concept to think about. It's not necessarily deep; it's just something that I thought was interesting, and there's just a lot of crazy stuff going on too.
If someone listened to this album for the first time, what's the one feeling or emotion you'd want them to walk away with?
Hunter: I guess, feeling refreshed. A lot of the songs that I wrote—some of them are kind of pushing a throwback feel. A lot of the inspiration was from 90s rock. So, I guess, refreshed because a lot of stuff I hear is pop punk in a way, which isn't bad; I like pop punk, but I kind of went for a more grungy feel. Well, at least for the demos I wrote. I don't know if they turned out that way in the final product, but I honestly listen to a lot of the demos a little bit more than the final product, to be honest. I'll go back and be like, "Damn, this first version is actually way fucking better than the final product." I guess the label wants modern sounds so they could do radio shit potentially, but I like the more raw shit, so I find myself going back to listening to demos or mix 1 or rough drafts because it's more raw. So, I guess, just refreshed to answer your question.
Looking back at everything you've done so far, what's been the most rewarding part of your journey?
Hunter: I like it when fans interact with me, or they'll say, like, "I love this song!" Stuff like that, but also the memories I've made. That's pretty rewarding to me, and I think about that a lot. Whether it's the first time going into the studio or experiencing things like that. Also, the whole process of how it is with a song, like making a demo, and then mixing 1 with giving notes, and hearing it mastered. The whole process is pretty cool. Then jamming with my band—that's pretty fun. So, yeah, just probably the memories and people saying they like the music. That's a good feeling.
If you could collaborate with any artist in the music world, who would be your dream pick?
Hunter: Definitely Kurt Cobain. That would be my dream for sure. Alive, maybe like Paul McCartney from The Beatles. That would be super sick to me.
Before we wrap up, is there anything you'd like to add or share with listeners?
Hunter: I have an album coming out August 22. If you want to listen, it's going to be everywhere. If not, then that's cool, too.
