Having called Southern California my home since forever, I have a good instinct when it comes to creating its soundtrack. Hip hop that encases the west coast, rock that makes the waves of Venice dance, and elevated pop sounds like the ones Hunter Moreau has a true grasp of that are perfect for a drive on PCH on one of the many perfect, sunny days we’re known for. We talked about the vibes her music has even though California is not where she resides, getting her start with the Showstoppers, her cinematic mentality – and more in this back and forth.

Kendra: Usually, people from small towns yearn for a way to express themselves, but you were lucky enough that you grew up in a place that had a local singing troupe. Were the Showstoppers your goal for a long time before you joined when you were 12?:

Hunter Moreau: I remember seeing the Showstoppers perform when I was very young, probably 7 or 8, and thinking how amazing they were. It was so inspiring to see so many kids around my age brave enough to showcase their talent. From that point on it was always a huge goal of mine to join them, and be able to share what I loved with others.

Kendra: What I like about you is that you seem to be someone who is always looking for an opportunity to grow and learn. Some people decide to sing and that’s it. They never work on it. How do you feel working with a vocal coach in recent months has helped tune your already natural instrument?

Hunter Moreau: Over the last few months, working with my vocal coach has helped me tremendously. I have been able to reach new parts of my voice, exploring different ways of singing that I never knew were possible for me. Not only that, but I have become more confident and self-assured in who I am and who I want to be as an artist. I’m so excited to continue growing through these lessons both vocally and artistically.

Kendra: Whatever you are doing – keep it up because “Hazy” is it. It gave me real California Cool vibes which you are not from there, but I felt like this could be on a playlist with the likes of Selena Gomez’s recent releases, as well as Olivia Rodrigo. When you create music, do you have a mental vision board in mind of how you want the audible aesthetic to be when the final version is done?

Hunter Moreau: That means so much to me! I am a very visual person. As I create music, I have a movie that begins to play in my mind. Sometimes it directly relates to the lyrics I’m singing, other times it depicts just how the song makes me feel. It might be a certain time of year it connects to, or a color, or a place, or a person. I try to focus on those raw emotions that I first felt when creating the song, and let that guide me to capturing visuals that will convey exactly what it means to me, to others.

Kendra: You’ve noted that you wish more guys your age would not only listen to your music but also learn from it. I think every man on earth would benefit from taking the words of women to heart, but with that – what would be the biggest takeaway you’d hope your male peers would take from the music you have going on right now?

Hunter Moreau: The biggest takeaway I’d hope boys my age would take from my music, is that it is okay to be vulnerable. Vulnerability and letting yourself express your emotions are so important in your relationships with not only others but also with yourself. I think young boys often struggle with expressing exactly how they feel, in fear of being seen as “weak” or “less than”. I hope that my music would help them realize that vulnerability is a show of immense strength, and can help you unlock so many parts of yourself.

Kendra: Speaking of takeaways and lessons, being 18 right now amidst the sort of whirlwind chaos that is America – how have you been approaching sort of coming of age, getting your career going, in all of this?

Hunter Moreau: Honestly, I think the chaos of this year helped me realize how many different turns life can take, and just how quickly it can happen. I started to understand that there is not just one set way that my life can go, and I have the power to control it. There’s no reason I should be forced into a certain career path or way of life because that’s what seems like “the right thing to do”. There is no telling what life has in store for me, but all I can do is chase what feeds my soul, not what seems comfortable.

Kendra: Let’s step away from the chaos for a second and play a game I like to call – Cover, Duet, Tour With. When it comes to Stevie Nicks, Harry Styles, and Frank Ocean, which would you simply just cover, who would you like to duet in the studio with, and which would you like to open for on the road?

Hunter Moreau: Ooh this is a tough one. I would have to say cover Stevie Nicks, I have so much fun singing along to her music and it would be an honor to do my rendition. I would tour with Harry Styles, I think aesthetically we would work well together, and it would be an awesome experience. I would love to duet with Frank Ocean, seeing how he works in the studio would be amazing, I would be so thrilled to see his process and learn from him.

Kendra: Lastly, it’s hard to have a definite answer when it comes to future plans given the current state of everything, but as far as what you can control when it comes to your career and creativity – what do you have planned in the coming months for yourself?

Hunter Moreau: I have a couple of other songs that I’m working on and excited about, with plans to release them after “Hazy,” so I’ll be busy over the next several months shooting more videos, creating more art, and writing more songs, of course!