Interview: Younger Hunger
Alt-pop, LA-based band Younger Hunger just dropped their brand new EP “Crying In The Pit” and they did not disappoint. This new body of work brings us gritty, hypnotic tracks that seem to be a collective release of restlessness after over a year of global lockdowns. I got to chat with band members Tony & Becket (you were missed, Lucas!) about their phenomenal new EP, their intentionality in being a hands-on band, and the exciting projects/live shows the guys have planned for the remainder of 2021.
Photo by Spencer Middleton
It’s difficult to pin this band down to just one, clear-cut genre. With each song release, Younger Hunger proves time and time again that they are anything but predictable. From their first single release in 2018 to now, the band has mastered the art of blending an unaltered stream of thoughts with stunning, intricate melodies. Strung together with playful beats and authentic lyrics that magically seem to apply to all life situations, Younger Hunger’s music is as unique as they come.
The band released their single “Sly” and “Dead Inside” back in 2018. Now sitting with almost 11 million streams on Spotify, it’s interesting to learn that their music was a slow and steady climb to where it is today.
“We had no plan. We put out those first singles with no expectations. It was a gradual process. Even “Dead Inside” really only started hitting its stride this past year. It’s super cool since we’ve been doing these releases totally independently.”
Not one to slow down, Younger Hunger put out 4 singles in 2019, each one quickly adding to the band’s growing collection of music gems. The band sticks to groovy guitar riffs and catchy bass lines that make it impossible not to fall down a Younger Hunger rabbit hole.
The edgy, infectious singles of 2019 propelled the band to further success, and the excitement only rose with their next track “YUNG” followed by their debut EP release “YIKES” in early 2020. Despite the unpredictable timeline with their EP release and the beginning of the global pandemic, Lucas says everything happened the way it was supposed to.
“While you would think the pandemic would slow us down, everything was more fruitful for us musically. It seemed like things were moving for us more than usual. Even when the rest of the world was slowing down, our music was really picking up.”
Global pandemic aside, Younger Hunger seemed to hit their creative stride in 2020. With their song releases wracking up thousands of streams and their fanbase only growing, the band proved that even the lack of momentum in the music industry wouldn’t slow them down. The band continues to showcase their songwriting & production abilities with intricate, emotive tunes that grab people’s attention, while confidently side-stepping flashy, overproduced tracks that don’t reflect their authentic artistry.
After releasing their debut EP in 2020, Younger Hunger continued giving fans exactly what they needed to get through the tumultuous year with standout singles like “Elmer”, “Goodbye Bye Bye”, and “Pray 4 U”. With the release of “Pray 4 U” came the band’s seamless transition into brighter, psychedelic-pop undertones that took their music to the next level.
The band members got creative during 2020 and used Youtube to post at-home music videos to pair with their song releases. After buying a camera at the beginning of quarantine, Younger Hunger took their classic “DIY artist style” to new heights with charming clips that showcased the guys’ talent and personalities. On top of writing the music, creating the art, designing the merch, and handling the social media, the band can now add fully producing and directing videos to their list of DIY band-ing.
Fast forward to 2021, Younger Hunger has exceptionally amplified their aggressive, dreamy, indie-pop sound. The hypnotic push and pull of “Narcissist” and “Day Traitor” with droning vocals and gliding melodies perfectly tie together the band’s edginess and their sense of newfound nostalgia. Even their cover art has gotten a digital upgrade. My personal favorite of the band’s recent 2021 singles is without a doubt “Charlie Kaufman”, a rambling inner-monologue that fully encompasses the anxious overthinking that has consumed society as of late.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting Younger Hunger’s EP release “Crying In The Pit” and now it’s finally here! An 7-track record with the gritty, hooky pop vocals that soothe our longing ears, Younger Hunger did not hold back with their self-reflecting lyrics, mesmerizing synth, and catchy pop vocals.
“I’m really excited for fans to hear these new tracks! One in particular, ‘Dead or Alive’ I think shows a side to us that people haven’t seen before. I think the fans will really connect with that one.”
Cover Art for “Crying In The Pit” EP 2021
The possibilities are endless for a band as sonically unique as Younger Hunger. The success this trio has had in their independent music releases only proves their ability as singers, songwriters, and producers who can simply do it all. Fans are eager to hear songs off of “Crying In The Pit” live, and the future of live performances is promising. The band members teased future shows, saying they are incredibly excited to finally play their songs for fans in person again soon.
Check out Younger Hunger’s brand new EP “Crying In The Pit” on Spotify and Apple Music. You can keep up with the band on their Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, and get updates on the band’s upcoming performances on their website.
Interview by Kelly Carrazzone
