The Hunter Brothers—real-life brothers J.J., Dusty, Luke, Brock and Ty from Shaunavon, Saskatchewan—are known for their tight harmonies, high-energy shows, and small-town charm. From the family farm to festival stages, the Hunter Brothers have carved out a beloved place in Canada’s country music scene. We caught up with the band for an exclusive interview to chat about how it all began, behind-the-scenes fun, and their go-to tips for in-ear monitor (IEM) success. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to their music, this is your backstage pass to the heart of the Hunter Brothers.
What initially inspired you to pursue a career in music?
We grew up singing at a local festival with our parents. When we were growing up, they had an agreement - Dad put us in hockey, and Mom put us in music. We weren't allowed to go out and play hockey until our piano was practiced. Our mom worked with us almost every day, teaching us our notes, and how to hear harmony. Eventually, each one of us took to a different instrument, and we settled in to different vocal ranges. We kept getting invited to more and more events, and we kept accepting them.
Can you share a memorable moment from your musical journey that has had a significant impact on you?
We have had so many memorable moments. We played the BandStage at the Nashville Predators game to 14,000 people. That was special because we grew up playing hockey. JJ played in the Edmonton Oilers system for a period of time, and we all played. Last Summer, we played the Grandstand show at the Calgary Stampede 10 consecutive nights to 20,000 people each evening. That felt like a celebration of our career up to this point. It's hard to pinpoint just one, because they all hold such an important place in your life.
What influences have shaped your style of music?
With there being 5 siblings, there are many different influences that have shaped our style. Within the country genre, we were moulded by Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Blackhawk, The Chicks, and Diamond Rio. There are many other styles that have impacted us, from Rock, to Pop, to Motown, to EDM, and R&B. You hear a lot of those influences in our music at different times.
If you could teleport to any concert in history, which one would you attend and why?
Tomorrowland 2012 would be one of our first choices. Seeing Avicii would have been legendary. We have multiple brothers in the group who love EDM music, and the lineup that year was insane.
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
There are many different answers with there being so many brothers! Dan & Shay, Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder, and Rascal Flatts are a few that we have discussed at different times along the way.
What's the most memorable feedback or reaction you've received from a fan?
We have had so many cool fan moments that we are grateful for. One that stands out would be a sign in the crowd that stated "Those Were The Nights" helped me learn to speak. There was a little girl who couldn't speak growing up due to a rare condition. We noticed the sign, and brought her up to play the song with us. She jammed out on the little pink guitar she brought, and we caught it on video. We won't ever forget that.
How did your collaboration with Plunge Audio begin?
We were introduced to Simon Fisk many years ago, and got custom IEMs made for our performances. We will never forget the first time feeling of having moulds created. They have absolutely changed our worlds when it comes to performing. Our career has largely been built off our live show. Often we are singing in 3 to 5 part harmony, so it's vitally important that we hear exactly what's going on. We are so grateful for our Plunge Audio IEMs.
What specific features do you look for when choosing IEMs for your performances?
We somewhat recently converted to the universal IEM's instead of the custom moulds. They have worked really well for us, both from the fit to the sound quality, so we have continued to use them. They are easy to pop in and out, and are super comfortable.
What advice would you give to other musicians who are considering using IEMs for the first time?
If you are looking to clean up stage noise, IEM's are an amazing option. We are a vocal based group, so hearing one another is paramount to delivering a confident performance. Being sure that you have the right earbud sleeve is also really important if you're using the universal buds.
