Mar 03, 2016
Melbourne born Chiara Hunter is quickly making people sit up and take notice of her incredible talent since moving to the UK almost five years ago. Not only is Hunter releasing great pop music herself, but she's been writing for many great artists as well, adding another string to her already impressive bow. Having just released the ear-catching three track EP Strange Relationships, I got the chance to ask Hunter a few questions about her career, her influences and what she misses about Australia.
Tell us about your upbringing in Melbourne and what inspired you to get into music.
I was very lucky growing up. I had a dad with an extensive and eclectic record collection. My favourite thing was sitting on his couch listening to everything from The Chieftains to Stevie Wonder to Joni Mitchell. We used to get the booklet out of the CD case and sing along to all the lyrics, so I’m pretty sure that's where my love of songwriting and storytelling came from. My parents really encouraged me to pursue music as a career. They never questioned my dreams or made me think I had to have a plan B. I’m very grateful for that.
How do the move to London come about and how was your experience starting life in a new country?
I always dreamed about living overseas. I travelled a lot when I was a kid and I remember coming to London when I was about 13 or 14 and falling in love with the city, so I always had it in my head. When I finished high school back home, I worked 3 jobs for a year to save up enough money to come here. But when I arrived… nothing could have prepared me for that. I knew nobody and was living in a tiny room. It was pretty tough for a while. It’s been almost 5 years now, and it’s really home now.
Has living in the UK influenced your musical taste, both in what you listen to as well as your own musical direction?
Absolutely. That’s one of the things I love about London and the UK in general. You have stations like Radio 1 that just play anything and everything from whatever genre. I remember listening to Zane Lowe’s shows and hearing him play tracks he just dug. It didn't matter if it was signed or whatever, it was just about the songs and what he liked. Also the mixing pot of cultures here makes for really exciting creative vibes. People are really open minded and not so insistent on putting things into boxes. When I worked in the US last year everyone was talking about the UK and what’s happening over here. It’s definitely an exciting time.
Your latest single “Hammer” is an absolute banger and we’ve enjoyed the EP in its entirety. How did you find the process of recording the EP? Do you have a favourite track from it?
Thank you! I wrote the whole EP with the help of my friends The Dealer and Bearcubs who are both very talented producers in their own right. We all had a mutual love of funk and hip-hop and we just created this body of work that just summed up where I’m at creatively right now. It’s funny, I don’t know if I can pick a favourite because every song turned out to be a mini-catalyst of sorts, like a new evolution in the sound. The first one was "Strange Relationships" and that definitely set the tone and gave the whole thing direction - it was like the perfect mixture of all of my influences. Then we wrote "War" and that was another moment. It’s just such a bonkers tune and one of those songs I needed to write for my own sanity. I love that tune a lot. And then "Hammer" came last and it was just the right vibe to round it off. All three were moments.
As well as writing your own music, you’ve written for the likes of Snakehips, The Dealer and Bearcubs. How did you get into this and how does it compare to writing your material for yourself?
I love them both a lot. About a year and a half ago I started doing sessions as a writer with other artists and discovered it was so much fun. I’ve always loved so many different types of music, so I couldn’t decide for a long time what kind of music I wanted to make myself. I’m a kid of the 90s who was practically raised on Max Martin so I’ve always loved writing pop music. For my own music I wanted to reflect my other major influences as well, like R&B, soul and funk, so it took a bit more time to get the sound just right. Being able to write for other people allows me to put on all the different hats, tell different stories and write in all the styles I love. It’s actually really freeing. Writing for myself is always harder. More rewarding, but harder.
What are you listening to currently and are there any up and coming artists we should be on the look out for?
They are hardly up and coming but I recently discovered Vulpeck, and it’s the funkiest shit. I love it. Anderson .Paak is the most exciting thing I’ve heard in a long time. Malibu is such an amazing record. I saw him live a couple of weeks ago and that guy is the truth I tell you. Apart from that, I’ve been loving GoldLink, PREP, and a lot of amazing Danish artists like Kill J, Vinnie Who, and this band called Mont Oliver who I saw at a festival there last year and I think they are going to be massive.
Are there any artists you’d really love the chance to work with?
I want to just get in a room with Hiatus Kaiyote and watch them jam. I’m fascinated by them. I want to just witness how Nai Palm writes her melodies cos they are out of this universe. I’m also a bit obsessed with Anderson .Paak. Everyone I speak to I’m spreading the word. I think his vibe would be amazing in the studio. Maybe he’ll see this and know he can hit me up to work anytime. And Prince, always Prince. Prince, you can hit me up too.
We know you supported Jess Glynne on her recent UK tour, can we expect a headline tour as part of the EP release, and if so, any chance you’ll head down under soon?
Oh my god, I hope so. I had so much fun doing the Jess tour. Her audiences were amazing. It made me want to tour forever! We are doing some festival shows in the summer, as well as a headline gig on the 17th March, and then hopefully some more touring. Performing live is my shit so as much as possible please. And I would love to play in Oz. That would be so fun, if only so I could finally invite all my friends and my family who miss out on all the gigs I do over here in the UK!
As a fellow Aussie, what is it you miss most about home?
Oh my god. I miss sunshine. I went home last year for Christmas and actually remembered what real sunshine felt like on my skin. Apart from that I really miss my family, my friends and barbecue shapes. And rainbow paddlepops. In that order.
Strange Relationships is available now via iTunes and Spotify.