I’m talking to The Hunna in their tour bus after their show in Austin. They’re talking about getting some new tattoos on 6th street. At this point, I’ve seen them twice and each set showed off their power as a band. Even during their show in Houston where they faced some technical difficulties the band seemed unfazed and performed like pros. They’ve been climbing up the alternative charts and they originally caught my attention for their unfiltered, raw energy.
Right after their debut release ‘Bonfire’/ “She’s Casual” they sold out three nights at London’s Boston Music rooms, something no other band had done. By their second release they were a viral sensation, they sold out their headline UK tour as well as shows all across Europe.
When they released “You & Me” that was the final push. The song was played everywhere and made a name for them in the States. It’s an anthem if I ever heard one. They have a thick as thieves mentality with their fans and each other. They say they’re all family.
That family consists of Ryan Potter, lead guitarist Dan Dorney, bassist Jermaine Angin and drummer Jack Metcalfe. Like a lot of bands, they had all been in separate bands and grown up together but when they all connected that’s when it clicked.
“Chemistry, determination, and we have the same vision. We know where we want to go and we don’t think there’s anything stopping us,” says Ryan. “Dream big, win big,” Jack adds.
Their music is so passionate and powerful. Look at “Bad For You” or “You and Me” it’s nonstop energy but Ryan’s voice can seem so delicate at points when he “we blew up like a bonfire, and nothing’s going to feel the same” that rise and fall is what makes their music so dynamic. That contrast of his vocals and the power of the music.
One thing that binds them as a group is their need to be honest with each other. They keep their egos in check but they also support each other. Dan says, “We’re really tight so we’re brutally honest with each other and I like that I like the honesty.”
Their last album was brutal to record. “We were straight on edge the entire time” Ryan says. Jack adds, “It was tough. It was a 13 hour tracking session. Our producer is a genius but a perfectionist so he really stretched us.”
That struggle and that paint that went into recording ‘100’ really shows. From start to finish you can sense that struggle and urgency. They worked with top-producers Tim Larcombe and Dunan Mills. “It’s about us as a band – taking the negative things that people have said and sort of turning it around,“ says Ryan. “It’s about the fans as well, it’s for the Hunna family – the people who have been there from the very beginning.”
Their influences are noticeably diverse. They love the American aspect of rock bands that are a bit heavier and more technical, they also delve into the worlds of hip-hop and trap music, but classic rock is where their sound lies.
“Rock goes in waves, it’s more raw, but if you look at rock bands they seem more timeless. Pop music can sound dated but rock music always sounds good looking back.” Ryan muses. Jack adds, “Everyone loves a good rock show. I think a lot of songs there’s so many different inputs, it’s authentic. At the end of it. It was best way we were going to express ourselves.”
When they call out their family they don’t just mean each other. “Our songs are about experiences we’ve had. Our fans connect to our songs, I think that’s a big part of it,” Ryan says. Their followers are fanatical. I’ve seen some that just followed them across the country.
The one thing that they recommend is a positive environment, angst and aggression may make for good music but the key it to surround yourself with positive people.
Ryan explains, “Sometimes it’s hard to keep going but we surround ourselves with positive people. Don’t listen to the negativity. Keep following your passion and be true to yourself.”
The HUNNA is on a crazy UK tour right now. Listen to them and follow them because they’re rising fast.
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