Copyright ©2007 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved.
Posted:
August 19, 2007.
Growing up in Aledo, Texas, young Daniel Hunter didn’t have much for which
to look forward. His father passed away at an early age and his mother
wasn’t around due to her alcohol addiction, leaving Hunter on his own. This
led to an early drug problem, forcing Hunter into rehab.
Upon completing
rehab, Hunter had a brighter, fresher outlook on life, and turned his
frustrations, anger and happiness into his musical
alter-ego, PlayRadioPlay!. This one-man band is a reflection of Hunter’s new view on life.
“I’m not in music to make money, or be famous,” confesses Hunter. “I make
music to make others happy.”
One listen to Hunter’s EP, The Frequency, will have listeners trying
to harness what they are hearing. His garage sound is raw, yet eclectic and
Hunter attributes that to his wide range of music taste.
“Growing up, I listened to all sorts of different things,” says Hunter.
Leading his influences are The Smashing Pumpkins, Sigur Ros, Poison and
Pinback.
“I try not to listen to people that do what I do,” says Hunter. “I just try
to learn from those before me and pick and choose what I like about each.”
Asked if he could describe his music, Hunter paused then summed it up in one
word, honest.
“People want honesty,” says Hunter. “Too often, people write songs about
stuff they haven’t experienced,” explains Hunter.
Music wasn’t always the goal for Hunter. After creating hits in his garage
for many years, Hunter planned on attending college.
As the teen put it, “I probably would be in college majoring in music
production right now, if it wasn’t for MySpace.”
Hunter credits the social network for his current popularity. After
recording and posting his creations on his space, Hunter accumulated
millions of plays from eager listeners and PRP! took off.
Due to the buzz that was generated, he was offered an
opening spot for the punk-pop band Fall Out Boy as they trekked through the
southwest.
“The initial fan response was unexpected,” says Hunter. “I honestly was
just creating music for the love of it.”
The resounding positive response couldn’t be -- and wasn’t
-- ignored by recording
labels, who all came knocking at Hunter’s bedroom door. After signing with
independent label, Stolen Transmission, Hunter inked a distribution deal
with a major label, Island Records,
part of the huge Universal Music Group.
The recently released EP, The Frequency, is chock full of fused electronica, pop, rock and punk. For example, “Confines of Gravity” is a
breezy, electronica ditty dealing with the ups and downs of life. Hunter is
able to keep the beat going in this introspective song, with its pulsating
bassline and shimmering keyboard work. Other album highlights include, “Bad
Cops Bad Charities” and “Mr. Brightside.” The latter is a unique take on
The Killers international hit. Hunter gives it the PRP! make over, complete
with a techno rhythm, ripping chords and Hunter’s unmistakable voice.
With millions of cyber fans, PlayRadioPlay! is well on its way to being
heard all over the world. After a stint on the musicians launching pad that
is The Warped Tour, Hunter is ready to return to what he loves best, making
music.
“I just want to
produce music,” reveals Hunter. “I don’t care if I’m singing or someone
else is. I just want to be behind the process of putting out great music.”
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