While some kids were interested in getting the latest and greatest toys and video games as a child, junior Jameson Hunt was more intrigued by music. Ever since Hunt was a child, music has always caught his attention.
“I started playing piano when I was seven. I did it because my mom played piano and I wanted to keep the tradition going in my family. It also looked pretty fun when my mom played it,” Hunt said.
Hunt currently plays piano and percussion, but piano is his favorite instrument to play. Hunt has been taking piano lessons for six years but is also beginning to create his own beats too. “I’m getting into beat production. The hard thing about it is that it takes a while getting used to all the controls and whatnot. I’m a beginner right now.”
Hunt uses a program called Ableton Live and a beatpad to produce his own music.
“It’s a whole new challenge. I’ve just started messing around with the beatpad,” Hunt said.
Hunt’s idea of making beats sparked when he got bored of listening to repetitive music. “I wanted to make better beats with less repetition and less synthesized sounds, so I decided to try it out,” Hunt said.
Hunt has created his own songs, but most of the time he experiments and come up with tunes on the spot. Hunt also knows how to play many songs on the piano, ranging from Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” to the Office theme song.
“I have a ton of favorite songs, but my current favorite has to be “Go With it” by Tokimonsta. I’m really into instrumental beats, jazz and indie music.”
Hunt’s favorite bands include Bonobo, RJD2, City and Colour, Ratatat, The XX and Koop.
Hunt also has a music blog on WSPN, called Soundscape with senior Jared Goldberg.
Hunt has only done one gig so far, but he really enjoyed it. He played piano at Winter Week this year, along with Tori Gitten singing and Omar Rios playing guitar.
Hunt, Rios and Gitten played “Hometown Glory” by Adele, “New Soul” by Yael Naim and two other songs created by Hunt. Along with those, Hunt played some improvised jazz.
“I hope to perform at next year’s Winter Week and more gigs if I have the opportunity,” Hunt said.
Hunt’s most memorable moment was when he sang “Hometown Glory” by Adele at his first recital when he was 14.
“I was pretty nervous, but when I came up to sing, I felt pretty confident, and the feeling was something I’ve never experienced before.”