Sam Hunt IS Your Next Road-Trip Playlist

Sam Hunt has formulated a sound that sways between high-energy beats and slow acoustic numbers that strum on all the right heartstrings. It’s what sets the southerner apart from other country, this combination of classic guitar rhythms and melodic R&B beats. (That and the fact that he looks more like Macklemore than McGraw.) The sound is fresh and the lyrics are relatable, which led him to a number one single Leave the Night On pretty early in the game. (In it he still has the same trendy haircut as the rock stars, but instead of partying in the back of a limo, he’s driving his friends around… in a taxi.)

It wouldn’t be apt to say that he is an artist you need to watch out for, because he’s already making huge ripples (waves?) in the country music scene. A chat with the musician reveals his creative process, touring his debut album and his weird obsession with chicken and peanut butter.

 

How are you enjoying Canada?

I’ve been to Canada four or five times since I performed at Boots and Hearts, but I’m enjoying it just as much as the first trip. The reason I’ve been back several times is because I was so won over by the first time I was here at the festival. I have a good time up here.

You’re headlining the Lipstick Graffiti tour in January, which is a big deal. What are you most looking forward to?

I try not to look too far down the road, but that’s close enough that I can start getting excited about it. We’ve been touring all year, but we’ve only had a record out for what, six weeks? I’m really looking forward to touring while having a record out. We had songs available where people have heard some of the music. People are now able to live with the album, connect with the songs and become more familiar with whole record so when they come out to the show they know more than one song. That really helps the live show.

You’ve written songs for Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. Do you find it’s easier to write songs for other people than for yourself?

No, actually the songs that got recorded for other people, I started writing for towards myself. That’s when I had success with those other guys. The process is really the same. I try to write songs that mean something to me, or that I would sing and fortunately those guys connected with those songs before I got in to create my own records.

So they’re ultimately singing your feelings?

Yeah, I mean a song like “We Are Tonight” that Billy Currington recorded, it really wasn’t a deep song—it’s just a fun, light-hearted song. There wasn’t a strong personal connection there. A couple of other ones, yeah, they definitely came from real-life experiences and I guess that’s probably what appealed to them. I think when you listen to a song you can kind of sense if they really lived that or not, if it’s honest or not.

Who were some artists you were influenced by growing up?

I wasn’t so much influenced by artists as I was songs. But, I would say 90’s country is probably my biggest influence. The radio was always on in the car, you know riding around, and my parents didn’t have many records in the house. A lot of country was the only thing anyone in my family listened to. As I got older and my social group broadened a little bit, I started listening to more urban music like hip hop and R&B. I guess that all blends together when I sit down and try to write a song.

You’re sort of known for this unique sound, this fusion of different elements from different genres; however, you’re labeled a country singer.

I think country music evolves every time someone puts out music that pushes the boundaries a little more. I think that’s always been the case. Artists have done that for a long time because it’s innate as an artist when you go to make music. Folks who came before you might inspire you, but you don’t want to sound just like those guys because that has already been done. I feel like I’m just part of that evolution that has always been there in country music.

What would you do if not music?

 I never really put much thought into that, but I would love to incorporate things that music allows me to do. I love traveling, so something that would allow me to travel. Also, something that will allow me to be creative because, after picking up music, I realized that I need that outlet. It’s so fulfilling, and if I didn’t find it in music, I would try to find it somewhere else. And something that would allow me to be with people that I care about. These are my best buddies that I’m traveling with, so if I could get those three qualities involved it wouldn’t matter what I’m doing.

You pretty much can’t see yourself doing anything other than music.

[laughing] Yeah pretty much.

 Random question: What’s one food you could eat for the rest of your life?

 I tried this thing the other day called juicing, where you go extreme and drink vegetable smoothies everyday. No meat. I realized that I can’t live without meat for more then 24 hours without passing out and dying. If I had chicken and peanut butter I’d be good.

You dip your chicken in peanut butter?

I’ll just take some peanut butter out and swipe it on the chicken.

TAGS:

Music,Sam Hunt