HUNNY: “Try everything and don’t be afraid of what people think”

HUNNY appear in our Winter 2023 Issue with cover stars Green Day, 070 Shake, Militarie Gun, and Arlo Parks. Head to the AP Shop to grab a copy. 

California indie-rockers HUNNY cut their teeth in North Los Angeles, as childhood friends who found connection and solace in creating music together. An endearing amalgamation of new-wave pop, with shimmering shoegaze guitar parts and a grunge-infused edge, HUNNY’s heartfelt sound and witty lyrics swiftly landed them not only an avid audience but industry acclaim and a deal with Epitaph Records, which led to their 2019 debut full-length, Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Read more: Fan poll: 5 most anticipated albums of 2024

In the fall of 2023, after a pandemic spent pondering burgeoning inspiration, and a headfirst dive back into the studio, HUNNY delivered their sophomore LP, New Planet Heaven — another top-to-bottom win that leans more lo-fi and embraces a thoughtful array of classic California rock sounds. Feeding into a spectrum of genres from gritty punk to a softer, electronic soundscape — on New Planet Heaven, it’s as evident as ever that these boys really understand the assignment. 

Vocalist/guitarist Jason Yarger taps us in on the bands that informed their sticky sound, their love of anime, and a chance encounter with Keanu Reeves.  

DESCRIBE HUNNY’S SOUND TO A STRANGER

I’m still bad at answering this even after years of being asked, “Y’all in a band?” at every truck stop across the country. I usually just end up listing every band I wish we sounded like, but the simple answer is we make punky, poppy garage rock.

10 YEARS LATER...

Obviously, the goal is to be rocking harder than ever and still have all my hair.  

THE MUSIC THAT SHAPED US

I could take up the whole page with this answer, so I’ll keep it to seven bands. Nirvana, the Cure, the Strokes, the Killers, Jimmy Eat World, blink-182, and the Pillows at the bare minimum ’cause each of them has one record that we wouldn’t exist as a band without.

COLLABORATING WITH FRIENDS

Our new record was basically a collaboration with a friend, and that turned out pretty nice. We made the whole thing at our buddy Derek Ted’s place, and he was a great shaman for us through the whole journey. 

IF YOU COULD SIT AROUND A CAMPFIRE WITH ANYONE 

Keanu Reeves. I love him. I physically ran into him walking out of the bathroom at BOA Steakhouse a few years ago, and I wanna ask him if he remembers.

WHAT KEEPS US INSPIRED

Anime, for sure. FLCL, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Evangelion. I’m always dropping references to shows like that in our stuff. Movies and TV are always big for me. I just wrote a song about a scene in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure that I hope makes it on the next album. Fingers crossed. 

FAVORITE SONG RECORDED

Either “palm reader” or “kick ur teeth In” off our new record and “JFK” for a deeper cut. 

IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE

I already live in LA, which is the best city in the world, but if I had to choose somewhere else to live out my final days, Thanos-style or whatever, I’ll take Costa Rica. Pura vida, baby. 

HEAVEN ON EARTH

Watching Naruto AMV from 2007 on YouTube with my dog. 

HOW TO STAY IN LOVE WITH THE CRAFT

I don’t think I’m capable of falling out of love with making music or playing music. It’s what I’ve felt I was supposed to do since I was 8 years old... Just do whatever you want. Make music that makes you happy and it’ll never feel forced. Try everything and don’t be afraid of what people think. The worst thing any artist can do is be inauthentic. If something makes sense in your head, go for it, have fun, and everything else will follow.