MNZ Interview: Haast Hunter

Starting with introductions – who are the members of Haast Hunter, and how did you all get involved in music?

Sinaea Elizabeth – Vocals
James (Jimi) Harper – Vocals/Guitar
Chris Gudsell – Bass
Mitch Walker – Drums

We all started our musical journeys at different ages and in different ways. We’ve played in different bands, learned different instruments, chased different sounds, discovered different shows and albums, and generally spent a lot of time immersed in music.

We’ve all taken different paths to get here, but that’s part of what makes Haast Hunter what it is.

Can you tell us about the formation of Haast Hunter? How did you all come together, and what’s the story behind the name?

Jimi started the idea of Haast Hunter around nine years ago. He jammed casually with another drummer for a few years, slowly chipping away at ideas and writing songs.

Finding the right additional members was difficult, and the journey towards the sound you hear today definitely wasn’t an easy one. But good things take time, and we couldn’t be happier with how it’s all played out.

The name Haast Hunter originates from the Haast’s eagle – the largest eagle known to have existed, which was native to the South Island.

The “Hunter” part isn’t literal. It’s more about hunting for the greatness that this giant bird represented.

For those that have never heard Haast Hunter before, how would you describe your music?

First and foremost, our aim is to make music that we love – music that we actually want to listen to.

With that in mind, if someone asked us to describe our sound, we’d love the typical response to be:

“Ummm… I can’t really pick a genre. You just have to listen to them.”

There’s a lot of diversity in what we do, and we like it that way.

Plastique is a massive debut statement. How did you keep it authentic while creating something so cinematic?

For us, authenticity means it has to be true to the band.

In a world of AI and increasingly over-produced music, listeners are becoming more aware of what feels authentic and real and what doesn’t.

Our music comes from a very raw and honest place. The cinematic soundscape is almost like the paint we throw onto our canvas of truth. It gives the emotion and ideas somewhere to live without taking away from where they came from.

What was it like stepping into the studio with Scott Seabright, and how did he influence the direction of the album?

Scott is an absolute legend. He’s gone from producer, to essentially a fifth band member, to a really good friend.

It wasn’t so much about him influencing the direction of the album as it was him nurturing our own ideas and influences, while offering new angles and perspectives along the way.

He has a real talent for letting you find your own way. He never needed to force an idea onto us. He knew when to push, when to step back, and when to let us figure something out for ourselves.

As a four-piece, how do you ensure each member’s musical identity comes through while keeping the band’s overall sound cohesive?

Honestly, we don’t really concentrate on keeping the band’s sound cohesive. It’s not even something we consciously think about.

We just write what we love, and it becomes what it becomes.

If Sinaea is vibing an acoustic folk song, Mitch is vibing a metalcore-inspired track, or Chris is down on an 80’s-inspired metal tune, we just let it be.

Somehow, through all of those different influences, Haast Hunter still comes out the other end.

Plastique explores mental health, addiction, transformation, grief and hope. Which of these themes felt most personal to write about?

We can’t really pick one.

They all come from a very personal and raw space. That’s a huge part of what music – and this band – is for all of us.

It’s a very cathartic process. We’re taking things that can be difficult, confronting or deeply personal and turning them into something we can express, share and hopefully connect with other people through.

Which track on Plastique hits the hardest for you, and why?

Jimi: The title track, Plastique.

Exploring a world of fakery and questioning your own existence, your perceptions and your viewpoints is a very confronting process.

That song forced me to look at some pretty uncomfortable things, and I think that’s why it hits the hardest.

Tracks like Plastique, Soul(e)Scape, and Dead Moon have already made waves. How do these singles show how Haast Hunter’s sound has evolved over time?

They show the diversity in our sound while still holding onto a consistent vibe that feels like Haast Hunter.

Every track offers something different and has its own point of difference. Little by little, we’re showing new colours and exploring different influences, while still staying true to who we are.

We don’t want every song to sound the same. We want people to hear something different each time, but still know it’s us.

You’ve been called one of Aotearoa’s most exciting and compelling heavy acts. How do you stay grounded while building momentum?

We take each day as it comes – each songwriting session, each show, each opportunity – and try to appreciate every moment for what it is.

Staying humble to the process keeps us grounded, while remembering to continue striving for more keeps us moving forward.

Being present keeps us grounded. Dreaming big keeps us evolving.

With everything you’ve learned so far, what advice would you give emerging artists stepping into the industry?

Don’t stop.

Make clear, achievable goals. Trust the process. Keep learning. And most importantly, do it for the love of the art.

There are going to be plenty of moments where things don’t go your way. You’ve just got to keep moving forward.

What’s on the horizon for Haast Hunter as you move beyond this release?

We’re taking our own advice from the previous question – we won’t stop. We can’t.

We’re already planning more shows and have gone straight back into working on new material. Three new songs are pretty much complete, with another half-dozen or so in various stages of development.

Momentum and consistency are key for us, so we’re going to keep pushing, keep creating and see where it takes us.