WHISPER virtually sat down with a cup of tea (or wine if lockdown is getting to you) with up and coming solo artist, Aiyana Hunt to talk about her remarkable journey as an artist. With Aiyana releasing ‘Wanna Know’ as her debut solo single, we can expect her artistry to shine and take on the music scene by storm.

Hello Aiyana! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you are coping with lockdown?

Hello! I’m a 19-year-old singer songwriter and producer from Brighton. In this weird time, I think everyone has their off days where they feel a little more down than usual (I know I do), but that’s okay. Personally, distraction that works for me, can be anything from song writing to cooking, working out or even purposefully annoying my siblings out of boredom.

Who’s your two favourite artists that inspire and empower you?

2 of my favourite artists at the moment are GRIFF and Lennon Stella, both of which are beautiful singer songwriters. GRIFF not only writes but produces most of her own music. I find this so empowering and inspiring for wannabe producers like myself. Lennon Stella’s beautiful writing picks apart topics that I wouldn’t normally delve into, but I truly admire… for instance, her youth and portraying this through a sense of innocence.

We have seen you blissfully grace onto the Falmouth music scene with the amazing B Town. Can you describe how being a solo artist has impacted your creativity compared to a group environment?

 I loved being part of B town, it was a truly memorable experience. I learnt so much about the hard work and dedication that goes into the music industry. However, through working on my solo music, I have been lucky enough to find my personal sound. I love collaborating with other artists, but occasionally time alone to work on individually and your own music can be necessary.

Your new single, ‘Wanna Know’ beautifully presents the hellish repercussions that one may experience after the end of a relationship. Can you explain your writing process behind the song?

The song was actually written during lockdown, drawing from personal experiences and past relationships. It was originally written with my acoustic guitar, but I knew I wanted to make it something more. I tend to dive into playlists for hours and hours searching for elements of songs and inspiring music to aid my own producing. When I’ve eventually found what I’m looking for, it’s all down to experimentation on
Logic really… I truly commend my sister for listening to every single strange version of this song I made her listen to, that’s for sure!

What were your desires for the people who listen to this track? Empowerment, motivation, expression?

I think the desired effect of this song was to help anybody who related to it in anyway, and also just to have fun with it. I would certainly describe the song as a sarcastic drunken bop.

We need to commend you for sensational producing of your own track! Any tips and tricks we should comprehend from your working process as a producer?

Thank you so much. Honestly, patience is key. You may spend the 1st year of University producing the most atrocious songs, thinking they were bops much like I did… A year on and I would like to say that my music has improved, but I guess people will have to listen to the song first.

Very interesting! Did you know that 4% of women are recognised as producers in the music industry? Does this percentage shock you and what do you believe the industry should be doing to drastically change this percentage for the better?

I heard about the percentage of female producers from a friend and I was beyond shocked. I don’t think it’s okay that women aren’t as encouraged as men to go down that “technology” veered route, when we are just as capable... I honestly hope this percentage will change, but I think for the moment, support and encouragement between female producers is so necessary! I have so much love to any female producer
trying to make their mark.

What’s one thing you would change for women in the music industry?

The only reason I got into producing in the first place was that I was looking into producers for one of my ex band’s singles, and I found one who was willing to do it for cheaper with additional inappropriate demands. I found this rather disrespectful and scary to think: do some women actually go through with this? In all honesty, I believe more respect for any women in the industry is needed as soon as possible.

Agreed. What are your plans for the elevation of your artistry? Any future goals you are striving towards that you feel passionate about?

Hopefully by Christmas or early 2021, I want to achieve my first ever EP. It’s a shame I won’t be gigging for a while because of this silly virus, but when everything blows over I will get straight back into gigging again. I absolutely love it.

​What’s one piece of advice you would tell aspiring female musicians who want to make a mark with their music?

Find your sound, be strong, dedicate yourself and work so, so hard! Be you and make your mark in this industry.

How much did it mean to you to host a gig for such an important charity?

It meant a great deal for me to organise the event for Parkinsons UK as my Grandad has recently been diagnosed with the disease. My family have seen first-hand how little support there is for patients and their carers, so I felt it was the right time to do my part. My grandad was the one who had always loved music and encouraged me to pursue it – I hope I did him proud in hosting the gig. He loved looking at the photos too!
​Why did you choose Grapes to host the event?
I really like the atmosphere at Grapes having been to a few gigs there before. The cosy nooks and crannies, the fairy and disco lights and the friendly and helpful staff made it the perfect venue. Their music license also runs past 11 pm which was great as it meant we could really party into the night. They also let us host the gig at the venue for free which was a bonus!
Favourite song to play off the setlist and why? 

My favourite song from the Tuxedo Function playlist is the Otis Redding version of Stand by Me. I felt that it really summarised the whole point of the gig – that just because someone has Parkinsons or another illness doesn’t mean that they are a different person, it just means that we all have to stand a little bit closer and be a shoulder to cry on if anyone needs it. ‘I won’t be afraid, just as long as you stand by me’ felt like the perfect lyric to me. As long as we have our friends and family around us then we know that things will be okay. I also really like the arrangement of the song as the horn parts are really enjoyable to play!

Any key moments that stood out for you during the gig?

I remember when we were setting everything up and it began to absolutely pour with rain and I thought ‘oh no, no one will want to come out in this weather!’ and by the end of the evening people were coming in in their soggy coats ready to have a good time! We had over one hundred people dancing with us and I felt so humbled that despite the rain, people still wanted to come out and support us. It was so lovely seeing everyone smiling and having fun, it was just how I wanted the gig to be. 

Do you think Falmouth is doing enough to raise awareness for physical and mental health issues through music?

I know that there have been a few events that have been fundraising for certain health charities which is incredible. I think it is a great way of making people more aware that these charities exist if there ever comes a time when an audience member may need to contact one of these charities for support. However, I do feel that event organisers are missing a trick – going to live music events is so good for your mental health! It releases endorphins, it puts you in a social setting and for a few hours all you need to focus on is the music. Going to a live gig is a really good way to de-stress, at least I think so anyway!
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Any other plans for the Tuxedo Function in the future?​

After the gig had finished, we realised how much we enjoyed playing in a group and we all agreed that it would be a shame to abandon the group after all our hard work. We are working on our online presence at the moment by having professional photographs taken and having our live performances edited so that they can be used in promotional material. I imagine that we will be more of a session band where we will only rehearse if we have an event lined up, but I think the main thing at the minute is that we all just really enjoy spending time with each other creating music and having a laugh. I find that if you love what you do, then you create your best work (and the audience notice this too).

University life, how has it been for you?
University life has genuinely been two of the best years of my life, so far anyway.  I’ve met some of the most talented people who have me in absolute fits of laughter every single day.  I study BA (hons) Press and Editorial Photography; I adore the course and the lecturers are simply wonderful, they really push you to create work that makes you tick, if it’s not making you happy then don’t shoot it.  They’re also pretty relaxed about me touring and going away for long stints, I feel super supported and am really grateful for that relationship.

Any funny freshers moment?
Funny freshers moments; to be honest first year feels like a lifetime ago now.  I live with four boys; there is never really a dull moment in our household.  I look back with rose tinted glasses over uni and laugh about the times I’ve been woken by drunken wanderers at 3am.  I’ve loved spending mornings on the beach before Uni or long drives to beautiful scenery, we’re pretty blessed to live in such an amazing part of the country.

Any weird or wonderful advice to someone wanting to come to university?
For me I think I can graduate knowing I took every opportunity that was right for me and if it wasn’t quite perfect I passed it on to someone that would be better for it than me.  I’m really quite chuffed about that.  That’s the biggest piece of advice I’d give to anyone, just do as much as you can and graft your arse off.  Oh also, get a part time job in a bar or cafe, anything you can get.  If I’ve learnt anything it’s that working whilst doing my degree as well as freelancing has made my time management skills ace, it’s also increased my confidence tenfold.

A little explanation in to what you do?
So I guess I’m a freelance portrait and music photographer, working with artists in both Cornwall and further afield.  I make various bits and pieces from album art and promotional content to live music shoots and video work.  I dabble in a bit of everything, I’m always keen to try new things.  I come from quite a blog heavy background, I think that has definitely influenced how I interact with people.  To be honest I simply really value friendships, so I love bonding with someone over their music and hopefully becoming an integral part of each others lives.  

Favourite content to create?
It’s always an honour to be trusted with someone’s brand, to sit down for a coffee and discuss what work we can produce together.  I love coming up with concepts and shooting artwork, that’s probably one of my favourite elements of my job.  Job is a weird term, a lot of the time I forget that this is something I get paid to do, it’s not my full source of income, and I am of course still a student, but it’s a LOT of fun and I wouldn’t change any of it.

Let's talk about Lauran Hibberd, her new ep is out ‘Everything is Dogs’ is out now.
Ah Lauran!  What a lovely lady.  It’s such a great EP, the vinyls purple so if that’s not another reason to buy it then what is.  There’s also a bonus track called ‘Camera Shy’ which is such a sad boy but a beautiful track.  Going back to the ‘talk to everyone and make friends’, Lauran and I met at Isle of Wight festival in 2018, I kept tabs on what she was up to and pestered to work with her and now we’re stuck together, so that’s pretty sweet.

What was it like being able to create your content in such an amazing space like Maida vale?
Maida Vale was honestly something else, it’s been on my bucket list to shoot there for years (like many other photographers who shoot music).  To shoot somewhere so special with an artist you’ve followed for over a year, who’s also become such a close friend was a real exciting moment.  Lauran rang me to ask if I was free to shoot when I was visiting my housemate Liam in Norfolk before I headed to Latitude, we were on a walk in the middle of a field with next to no service.  Something I’ll never forget.  I think I jumped around and screamed a lot then cried some happy tears.

The continuation into the tour, are you excited to be touring with her?
I’m so excited!!  I’m typing this whilst in the van.  It’s wonderful to get out of Falmouth and be in completely new surroundings with different people.  Lauran lives on the Isle of Wight so we rarely spend long periods of time together; it’s great to be back with such a hard working team of musicians and feel really appreciated.  I also get to go to Manchester which is somewhere I’ve never visited, I’m buzzing for that.  It’s my first tour living the high life of travel-lodges and not friends floors in sleeping bags, so that’s quite wonderful, really enjoying having hash browns every morning.

Is it a really good girl power moment when you shoot content featuring women? 
I’ve recently realised that I mainly shoot women, which is funny because I never intended for that to happen, but I’m really quite glad that it has.  I think as a fellow female I understand and get what another girl would want to post on their timelines and Instagram feeds, I understand it from the consumer point of view too.  It’s super empowering and I hope to meet more and more badass ladies because they’ve filled my life with a lot of joy so far.

Any bad experiences you have had during your experience as a photographer? 
 I think the worst comment or experience I’ve ever had is the general “you’re only doing this to sleep with the band” which unfortunately happens way more than you’d think.  It’s not even the case, I love what I do because I meet similar minded, fun, creative individuals; comments like that need to just be ditched.  I’ve had friends called out in photo pits whilst shooting and security being bias because of their gender; not needed, not cool.

Your favourite three artists that inspire and empower you?
Fave artists, wow you’ve really caught me because that’s really really quite hard.  I’m going to go with the following:
   * Maggie Rogers - she is a true icon and one of the most down to earth women I’ve ever met.  Annie, who’s one of my closest uni friends, introduced me to her around a year ago and her debut album is one of my ultimate faves.  Maggie has such a effortless carefree nature about her, she is really quite cool and her music is super empowering.
   * Sam Fender - this man has truly taken the world by storm and there’s no one better to take over the world.  A truly amazing man whose music is so rich and powerful, the music video for ‘Dead Boys’ is incredibly moving; someone of a similar age, using their voice to spread awareness for important topics.
   * girl in red - I saw this lady at great escape without having any idea who she was or any context to her music.  I’ve since fallen head over heels for her honesty, an incredible talent who is just outrageous live.

One thing you would change for women in the industry?
I think the main thing about women in music is, where are they!!  There’s a lot more female artists that I’m discovering, which is so so eye opening, but every event or soundcheck you attend there is such a male dominance.  Gals can do this too, don’t be scared to give it a crack because most of the guys I’ve met on the road are the softest down to earth humans, they do get a lot of stick.  I think there’s a consensus that all guys in this industry are horrible and hate women, which totally isn’t the case, the majority are down to Earth, wonderful people who embrace your talent with open arms.  There’s only a handful who knock you over and they’re definitely not worth the time.  

One thing you would change for women in the society? 
Women still aren’t equal to men; we’ve come on so far however it’s still not a level playing field I’m so many aspects!  I’d say to any female, do the best you can to absolutely kill it, whatever field your in, have faith in yourself and surround yourself with people who make you feel empowered.