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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: KRISTI HUNT

Kristi Hunt is one of the newest artists to be welcomed into the Blue Hawk Records family. The music major’s love of music started as a child in Marlboro, NJ.

“I used to put on shows where I would sing and dance for my family. Once I started attending school I was always involved in choir and I haven’t stopped since,” Hunt said.

Hunt loves pop music, and she admires the heavyweights of the pop world. “I’ve always been drawn to pop music that has a vocalist with a huge range. I’ve always admired Christina Aguilera for her vocals… Since I was about six years old I always wanted to sing like her and emulate her. I’m so impressed by the power and range of her voice. She keeps me motivated to practice my butt off!” Hunt said.

The senior was lucky enough to be in Applied Music Industry II and Applied Music Industry III, the classes that started the University’s record label. This fall, Hunt decided to audition to be an artist on the label. Obviously, it went pretty well.

At the release party for the label’s latest compilation, Hunt performed her own music for the first time. Hunt said, “I’ve performed all over, but the release party in Plangere was the first time I ever performed my own music. I was really nervous because I did not know how it would be recieved by my peers but it ended up being so much fun. A lot of people seemed to enjoy it and I definitely want to do it again.”

Her songwriting takes a little more group work than some artists. While Hunt is a solo artist and has been learning guitar and piano for two years, she likes to work with other artists to create her music. Hunt explained, “All of my lyrics and melodies I write on my own but the music behind the vocals I have co-written with people. A few of my songs I co-wrote with Blue Hawk artist Natalie Zeller.”

Jesse Ruben serves as a big influence for Hunt. Ruben, a Philadelphia native, is a singer/songwriter that Hunt was lucky enough to meet. “His songs are so honest and relatable. I actually got the opportunity to speak with him about songwriting and he gave me so much advice. It was really cool to have that experience with one of my favorite artists,” Hunt said.

While Hunt’s first single definitely has a light, pop sound, she doesn’t want anyone to pigeonhole her. She said she is capable of sounding different. Hunt said, “I would say that my sound is pop with some sultry vocals. My single, ‘Baby Get Back,’ is very pop but some of my other music that isn’t recorded yet is more edgy.”

“Baby Get Back” is on the Blue Hawk Records Fall 2013 Compilation album and is available now on iTunes. You can also check out youtube.com/kristihuntmusic to see Hunt cover other artists’ songs.

PHOTO TAKEN from facebook.com