Photo Credit Alissa Wyle (Holy Smoke Photography)
Bringing all of the tracks together, the album is made to be relatable for any and all listeners. Promoting an inclusive space, the album creates an empowering place to escape and freely express themselves whether they are struggling with the ongoing pandemic, working through a difficult relationship, or just needing a moment to themselves. Much like the water sign of Scorpio, the album flows through each mood like a stream.
Ambrose isn’t afraid to express her feelings and innermost thoughts, laying it all out for listeners to learn and grow from her own very personal moments. Her songwriting never fails to incorporate influences from top pop and RnB artists such as Lady Gaga and The Weeknd, using new and past trends as inspiration.
Following her departure from Berklee, from 2017 through 2019, Hunter wrote and produced material with her core creative team for her debut EP, Scorpio Rising (April 2020). The project was supported by the singles, “Right Now” and “November” which featured an interpolation of Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro.” Hunter is so excited to finally share her debut album Scorpio Season. She plans to keep her foot on the gas pedal, continuing to release new videos and music, growing her well-established fan base in the process.
What’s your story as an artist?
My story as an artist began as a child I suppose. I was always absorbing all the music I heard around me at all times, and I think I realized I had an extremely intense connection to music in comparison to some of my peers at a young age. I began my career professionally as a songwriter, and I believe that really allowed me to look at the world of creating music in a new way. It allowed me to realize a lot of tricks that make pop music such an intricate art form and I immediately gained such respect for all of the creatives that it takes to put a record together. Once I moved on to writing my own music, everything seemed to fall into place in regards to who I wanted to become as an artist. With my experience as a writer, I was able to take all of my favorite aspects of all of my favorite artists that I’ve looked up to and create a sound for myself that I felt was unique and signature to me. That sound ended up creating what you hear on my album “Scorpio Season”.
What inspired this single?
Each of my singles tends to pull from a different musical inspiration of mine. I really tried to explore as many of my influences as I could on this record while still keeping a common thread of sonic consistency and fluent storytelling intact. “Right Now” for example was heavily inspired by Ariana Grande’s 2016 album Dangerous Woman. Since I wrote the song in early 2017, it was very much a hot pop record at that time so I had been listening to it quite heavily back then. My single “November” is noted for the usage of Lady Gaga’s song “Alejandro” as an interpolation and I think her influence is very much present in my vocal quality a lot of the time. My most recent single “Psycho Summer” pulled heavily from her darker pop sound that she’s explored on “The Fame Monster” as well as some more contemporary trap and R&B stylings.
What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?
A lot of themes that are present in my songwriting are relationships, loneliness, and deeply personal elements of both struggle and success. “Scorpio Season” in particular was inspired by a failed relationship of mine that I took responsibility for, and all of the grief, regret, and deep sadness I experienced for years after its ending. I really strived to create a chronological retelling of that story with the sequencing of the record and the subjects I chose to write about through my lyrics.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing the album?
My producers and I had a blast making this record together and we honestly would just have fun through all of our sessions. I think the relaxed and supportive energy in the room contributed to what makes this album so special. When I started teasing my song “November” in 2019, a clip of me performing the song on the piano, where just my hands were in the frame, went viral online because of the similarity between Lady Gaga’s voice and mine as well as our matching tattoos. That moment will always stick out to me as a highlight from this journey.
Tell us about the music video and the idea behind it ?
All my music videos are meant to recall specific moments in my life throughout the period of 2016-2020 which was the timeframe of my off-and-on-again relationship that this record was inspired by. “November” was meant to be split between 2016 and 2020; the beginning and end of my relationship. We reflected that by filming portions of the video at my college campus in Boston and with me styled in my darker hair and clothing from that time, which was meant to take place in 2016. That was contrasted by me styled in my more current look back in 2020, with blonde hair and more elevated, refined styling to reflect my growth and transformation from my past. The music video for “Too Much” was recalling post-breakup debauchery of me overindulging in drinking and drugs to deal with the pain. Finally, “Alone Together” was symbolic of me being isolated and self-reflecting on my past while in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
There are quite a few records over the years that I feel have shaped me artistically. As a vocalist, “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga, “Dangerous Woman” by Ariana Grande, “Bad”, “Thriller”, by Michael Jackson, “After Hours,” and “Starboy” by The Weeknd stick out to me as influences. In terms of production style, I also am heavily inspired by the aforementioned artists and their producers, but also I really do pull a lot of sonic influence from artists like Kanye West, Travis Scott, SZA, and Tove Lo.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
There are so many artists out there that I admire but some that have particularly become idols of mine include Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Drake, Kanye West, Ariana Grande, Jhene Aiko, and Rihanna.
Any future projects?
We are releasing a deluxe version of “Scorpio Season” at the beginning of the year. Shortly after that, I can confirm I will begin to start production of my sophomore album, which is quite a departure from the sounds and aesthetics of “Scorpio Season” I cannot wait. In the meantime, we are releasing a couple more singles from the record following its release and accompanying music videos.
Top 3 dream collaborations?
My top 3 collaborations would be a duet with The Weeknd, to have a song produced by Kanye West, or to perform with Lady Gaga.
What does music mean to you?
Music has given me a means of expression that I otherwise would not be able to possess. It has allowed me to unlock the truest version of myself and my potential as a creative human being. It gives color and meaning to life that is almost inexplicable. It has allowed me to recall so many moments of my past that will live on forever because it seems like memories exist on the same plane of energy that music does. Music has changed my life and continues to be one of the main forces of joy, evolution, power, and meaning to my life.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?
I would describe myself as a New York punk kid who grew up to adore and become obsessed with pop music. My sound is equal parts pop-oriented melodies with a dark lyrical edge and moody, spacial production that compliments the oftentimes visceral and vulnerable storytelling that I strive to implement in every song I create.
