GUNNAR Is Embracing The Thrill of The Chase

You recently completed and UK/European Tour with Maroon 5. How did that opportunity arise and do you have any interesting/funny/memorable stories from the tour?

Yeah! Tour was incredible… I feel like I grew and learned so much, I’m just so grateful for everyone who was there and everyone who made it possible. It came around directly from Adam. He and I met almost a year ago and just instantly clicked. He’s become an incredible friend but also a mentor to me and I think he saw this tour as a perfect opportunity to help me in my current career. The memories and stories from this tour are too many to try and type out, but there were a few standout moments.

A funny memory I’ll always remember when thinking of this tour was going up on stage in London in my custom “I love Adam Levine” underwear. His wife actually gave me the original idea, then the band and I just ran with it to make it what it turned out to be. Another memorable moment, for more of an infamous reason, is when I almost got arrested in a small town in Barcelona. That’s a story for another time, but it was quite the situation and as hard as I try, I don’t think I’ll be forgetting that day anytime soon.

In addition, you recently released the official music video for your track ‘The Chase’ which is taken from you debut album ‘Best Mistake’. What was your thought-process behind the music video?

‘The Chase’ video was a lot of fun because I wanted to make a video that was literal and cliche in the sense of it being about a literal “chase”. We got a really good drone and pilot to help film it, get unseen angles and shots. Plus I got to beat up my guitar player which is always a good time.

What is the story/inspiration behind the track?

The story behind the song itself was about a situation I was in where I was in a push and pull kind of relationship. As emotionally frustrating as it was at times… There also was a lot of fun and enjoyment in “the chase” and never really getting what I want.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is a place called Newport Beach, and to describe in five words I would say…

Close, beautiful, motivating, immature, and family oriented.

In doing my research, your demos caught the attention of Grammy Award-winning producer Brendan O’Brien (AC/DC, Pearl Jam, The Killers). What was that experience like for you and what did you learn from working with him?

Yeah Brendan really helped this album come to life. He is such an incredible guy and honestly he and I got really close making this project. I view myself a little as an older soul and he definitely has a younger one so we just clicked from the jump. That being said he is so beyond talented and has such a great ear while also allowing me to lead on the project which was really important to me.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments/effects/pedals?

Of course! My guitar player and I use Kemper’s as our amps/pedals which we love. It helps us find and customize any sound from any amp or pedal ever existed.

How do you look after your voice?

Proper preparation is the most important part of a healthy voice. Like any muscle, it must be in shape before you get out there and try to push its limits and sprint. Once out on the road it’s just about being healthy, drinking teas, good warmups and cool downs, and trying not to push even in those giant rooms where the emotion is high… I still struggle with this part lol.

Do you have any plans to release anymore new music in 2023/24?

Right now I’m back home and writing a bit, but really focusing on the next shows and tours in the next few months to come.

Following the Maroon 5 dates, do you have any plans in the pipeline for a return to the UK and Europe?

Absolutely. We’re targeting to come in the spring and do all the cities we just did with Maroon 5 plus some more. The exposure this tour gave us was incredible and it would be criminal to not get back to Europe and UK ASAP.

What kind of music do you like listening to?

So much. I gravitate towards music that makes me feel things and so the genre spectrum is pretty large. Rock, Country, Pop… So much.

What makes GUNNAR happy and what makes you unhappy?

What makes GUNNAR happy is shows. Being in a room with people who want to let loose and enjoy music and the energy that our concert brings is everything to me. Nothing will ever beat that for me. That’s what it’s all about.

Honestly there are a few things that can be minor setbacks in current happiness, but I’ve really tried to not allow things that are out of my control, control my emotions. I don’t like when unnecessary things get in the way of me being with fans…                                                                                                                                                                                                Photo Credit: Photo Supplied By Wilful Publicity 

GUNNAR’s debut album ‘Best Mistake’ is out now. 

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