Hunter DuKate
I’ve been thinking about this lyric by Bob Dylan lately, “I know my song well before I start singing.” It strikes me to the core because I’ve been fascinated with showing emotion and complex feelings through music for as long as I can remember. I feel I’ve always loved music since listening to classic rock hits with my father on the radio as a child, the pinnacle being moments of goosebump-induced awe such as the solo from Stairway to Heaven. This infatuation blossomed first with me beginning alto saxophone, which I eventually moved from to my instrument of choice, guitar, in 2015. But I’ll never forget the joy of playing pep band covers during Cathedral games and performing at Lucas Oil and Disney World.
After a few years of focus on guitar and more jazz-related studies in high school I began experimenting more with songwriting based on my inspirations. While searching for my sound and playing in multiple jazz combos, I discovered that my love for music spanned over many genres. It was in my senior year of high school that I began to record myself, resolute that music was something I had to form my life around. I had decided that the idea of recording and working with many varying artists in the music industry would be incredibly satisfying and I began playing with the cheapest, sometimes free, equipment learning to love the flow of production and creation. I still recall the late hours and arduous work trying to learn how to record by trial, error, and lots of research. But I never would have released my first EP: A Night on the Town had I not committed to experimenting and learning. Although my skill has increased and my tools have improved, my passion for the process of achieving a musical vision has remained ablaze. I suppose it took me a bit to learn my song well, but now I’m singing. Check out my spotify artist page under Hunter DuKate, the same should go for most anywhere music is streamed.
