Billy Hunt

Billy Hunt grew up immersed in a rich tapestry of music, drawing inspiration from artists like Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, and Paolo Nutini. This diverse influence has shaped his distinct sound—a fusion of raw indie energy, soulful storytelling, and poetic introspection.

Hunt’s velvety, resonant vocals carry the weight of experience to them, transporting listeners to a space of vulnerability and authenticity.

His immersive live performances blur the lines between artist and audience, creating a powerful sense of unity.

Previously signed to Good Deeds Music, Hunt released his first single “Intoxicate”, which gained him international airplay and led to an interview on BBC News.

He later released “No Occupation” in 2023 via Thru Tone Records (UK) and Gentlemen Recordings (Benelux), which reached #2 on Australia’s Banks Radio Chart.

Billy Hunt has steadily built his presence in the UK music scene, supporting the likes of The Gulps and touring with Cosmo Pyke.

He has performed extensively across London and the North of England, played at several festivals, and made notable appearances in Liverpool at The Cavern Club as well as in Sheffield.

Hunt’s contributions to the music scene were recognized in local press, and he was named one of Suffolk’s best up-and-coming musicians by the East Anglian Daily Times. He was also an NMG Award nominee.

Now, Billy Hunt & The Modern Classix are back with a fresh twist—“California Callin’”, a cinematic indie-rock anthem drenched in sun-soaked nostalgia and West Coast mystique.

The new single emanates a brighter vibe laid over underlying darker brooding lyrics. California Callin’ references the dangers of losing yourself in the facade of being a musician and pays homage to Jim Morrison – one of Hunt’s favourite artists – with the initial lyric that inspired the song “Don’t you know they all go to Paris to die?”

Overall, California Calling shows a deeper side to Hunt’s songwriting ability with a broader stylistic approach, touching on subjects such as love, loss and the death of the ego. With its bold, infectious energy, the track is poised to be a modern summer classic.

Deeply connected to his roots, yet always pushing boundaries, Billy Hunt continues to captivate audiences with his authenticity, passion, and ultimate talent.

California Callin’ was recorded at Wilde Bloom Studios and was produced and mixed by Steve Maclachlan.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#IndieRevolution
@Indierevuk
Indierevuk@gmail.com

Billy Hunt has been throwing stones into the pond all last year as a solo artist down in Suffolk. It hadn’t taken very long for the ripples to reach London. Now, with the help of his new band, my toes dipping in the pond up here in Scotland, are feeling the water splashing against them.

I can’t tell you if Billy Hunt is Billy Hunt’s real name or pseudonym adopted from The Jam song of the same title (I knew someone once called Cameron Smith and he tried to convince us, his school mates, that in the song Smithers-Jones, Paul Weller sang “Cameron Smith is a mod!” and we all know a David Potts, Danny Watts or some other off-brand David Watts). But what I can tell you is that Billy Hunt and the Modern Classix debut single, No Occupation, is a modern and fresh interpretation of the classic rock n roll song.

There is no messing about here, no waste or excess; you are straight into the action from the get-go, which is just as well because this little stomper of a tune is only 2 minutes 16 seconds long. It is driven along from a super tight rhythm section which belies the newness of the band and I suspect the members will have played together before. Billy’s vocal is on point with a lovely rebellious, not raspy, blues rock quality. The song is a call to arms to the marginalized and dispossessed to come together and be reckoned with. And there is a kick-ass guitar solo, as there should be.

All told, this is a debut single to be very proud of and if you keep your eyes and ears open and your toes dipped in the pond in 2023, you will, I’m certain, be feeling the spreading ripples from Billy Hunt and the Modern Classix making waves where ever your pond may be.

No Occupation is available to stream right now.

Dan Rowley
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Indie Revolution

Billy Hunt And The Modern Classix Release New Single ‘California Callin’

Billy Hunt and the Modern Classix ‘No Occupation’ Review