How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry? Music is the first thing I really remember about myself in life. I think it was there from the very beginning. I was the kind of kid playing records, singing and dancing rather than watching TV. Music has such amazing power to it. It can reassure you, understand you and change you. It really resonated with me (pardon the pun), so I really couldn’t help but be drawn to it.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music? I grew up in a very musical household. My dad was a guitarist/teacher and vocalist and he was extremely passionate about music. So I’d have to say, I think it’s in the genes to some extent. My drive to make good music comes from learning, listening and appreciating the great artists and bands that I was exposed to growing up. They set the bar pretty high, that’s for certain.
What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist? I try to focus on the here and now mostly. After all everything that you put into today, benefits tomorrow. So with that in mind, I mainly put my energy into the integrity of the current song that I am working on. Ultimately I’m aiming to tour and share these songs with as many people as possible.
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour? You’ll be hearing a couple of new singles from me over the coming months, that will tie into my upcoming EP. I also love making and producing music videos, so there’ll be a strong visual element this year also to support my music. I’d love to see my band out touring as soon as possible, we just have to wait until 2020 gives us the ‘green light’!
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music? My latest song ‘Long Way from Lonely’ is a duet with Shane Nicholson. It’s a beautiful, unique and very honest song that speaks from the heart. It was co written by Aussie song-smith Phil Barton alongside Nicole Witt, Alex Kline and Josh Matheny. I produced the song in Melbourne with some incredible musicians and thoroughly enjoyed working on it. My style is ‘Country’. I love to merge the best of both worlds when it comes to producing my music. Strong sensibilities of the past, blended with contemporary elements. I love harmonies, solid musicianship, with some lateral creative thinking thrown into the mix.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs? Usually I am drawn to a concept or a feeling, and I know in that moment I have to ‘jump on the wave’ whilst it’s there. It’s then about peeling back the layers, trying to get to the heart of what I am trying to say and marrying those thoughts and lyrics with melody. For me that’s where the challenge is and also where the joy comes from. It’s a cathartic experience and sometimes it can be really exhilarating.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music? I wouldn’t necessarily say ‘hidden’, more so, personal. My music is shaped by relationships, experiences and imagination. I think everyone takes away different meanings from musical works, they unknowingly shape it and relate to it in their own unique way.
Success, what is the secret to it? I’d have to say discipline and keeping enthusiasm. It’s very rare that anyone has success handed to them. You’ve got to be able to keep yourself moving forwards, irrespective of the challenges. It can require a lot of effort, time and care to create something meaningful and successful.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far? My latest work with Shane Nicholson. It just all came together so beautifully and it was an absolute pleasure to work with such a fine artist. We shot an accompanying music video together for ‘Long Way From Lonely’, you can find it on YouTube and on my socials.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring? The ones that encourage upcoming artists, show their support and share their knowledge. There are so many great mentors and artists in the Australian Country Music industry. I think it’s these types of people that inspire the upcoming musicians and keep the wheels turning.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline? I’m currently working on my EP, with the aim of releasing it later this year. I have my new single locked and loaded along with an accompanying music video, so stay tuned for that!
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now? That’s a big question and a tough one to answer, especially this year (2020). Music has been impacted so greatly, it’s hard to know what will happen over the coming years, but I think it’s fair to say that it will be reborn in some way. I’m just going to keep on creating, enjoying music and sharing my passion. I won’t be getting off the ride anytime soon!
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why? The best part for me is having a vision about a song, a music video, or a live show and seeing it through. There really isn’t a part of the creative process that I don’t like to sink my teeth into. It’s all a labour of love. In contrast, the business side is challenging. It’s legal, admin and tech. It can be really tough to comprehend a lot of it, especially as a creative type of person.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists. So many! Right now in Australian Country I’m loving Natalie Pearson’s vocals. Brook Chivelle just released a stunning song. Brad Cox is a total standout and The Buckley’s are doing huge things, in Australia and abroad.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye? I think the music landscape has always been ever changing, especially in its medium. Social media has opened up a whole other world for everybody and for a vast number of industries. I think we get to learn a lot more about artists online, but with that I think there are pros and cons. I sometimes miss the mystique of the days before the social media platform when we didn’t know so much and had to use our imaginations. But these aren’t the times we find ourselves in.
How do you plan on cracking the international market? My approach is really taking things one day at a time. My main focus is always on creating quality music, sharing the journey with other creatives and enjoying the moments. I guess there are ideas and strategies that some people employ to go ‘international’, but for me it’s just really about the music and being/bettering myself artistically.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list? I’ve just collaborated with Shane Nicholson on ‘Long Way From Lonely’. Shane has all the right ingredients as an artist and as an individual. I’d love to work with Stevie Nicks, her career has been outstanding, a great storyteller and a genius song writer.
What advice do you give for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps? Don’t be afraid to fail, we all have to do it and as artists there’s always something to learn.
Believe in yourself, back yourself and don’t listen to the naysayers. Lastly, don’t look at the overall picture too much! Just make a start and keep going and chipping away at it everyday, it’s really the only way forward, one step at a time.
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your fans?
Thank you so much for supporting Country Music and thank you for sharing and appreciating my songs. You can always find me on Facebook and Instagram.
Any last words? “Country music, it’s an easy love”
Website:https://www.hunterkaine.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/hunterkainemusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterkainemusic/