No Illusions with Ollie Hunt
Photo by Liz Sunshine
Rising Melbourne artist Ollie Hunt has unlocked his brand new release titled ‘Illusion’, with Ollie’s second delivery exploring the emotional complexity of letting go of people and what we build them up to be in our minds. We caught up with Ollie to learn more about why he labelled as a “one to watch”, what inspires him and when we can expect more music.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, what genre(s) is your music?
My music centers around pop music mainly! I’ve grown up around pop music all my life and starts like Ariana, Rihanna and Justin have heavily influenced my upbringing - I love to involve elements of R&B and Hip-hop as well which you will see in future releases
Ollie, you have just released your latest single 'Illusion,' tell us about your new song. Was there a specific moment or experience that inspired you to create this track?
Illusion is honestly a build up of a few experiences - A lot of people close to me say I’m a very forgiving person and I always push to see the best in people which a lot of the time can backfire on me. Illusion is the story of that, and coming to terms with realising this person you have idealised in your head is actually not them, and unfortunately I cannot force someone to be something I want them to be.
“I try to do whatever feels natural in the moment cause I feel when I do that, that’s when the best product comes out.”
What does the writing / creative process look like for you? What comes first the lyrics or the music?
To be honest, I’ve never had a process, sometimes I hear cool beats and ideas, and build lyrics around that, sometimes I write entire songs and fit them into a melody, sometimes It just comes to me - I try to do whatever feels natural in the moment cause I feel when I do that, that’s when the best product comes out.
Is there a particular part or a line from 'Illusion' that stands out for you or that you listen out for?
100%, the lyric “come on drop the facade we know it ain’t true” is my favourite lyric, it’s just so true, we all need to drop the facade and just be transparent and ourselves
“Production is something I’m really trying to get into”
Do you play a part in the production side of your music?
Production is something I’m really trying to get into, In Illusion, this was very heavily produced and controlled by my producer for the song Isaiah Bennett, and my incredible mentor Gary Pinto. I have completed courses in production and in upcoming releases, I will have a lot more control and I really put a lot of my opinions and vocal arrangements on it.
Will 'Illusion' feature on a future body of work or is it a stand-alone single?
Illusion is apart of my upcoming EP Prelude, which will be out July 17th!!!
Are there plans to head out on the road to showcase the new song live for fans?
I would absolutely love to someday in the future! It’s too early to say right now but touring would be a dream
“Music is the only way I feel free, it brings me so much joy and peace”
How did you get your start in music?
I have always loved music, ever since I could talk, I was singing and dancing. My Nanna was an opera singer and my mums side of the family played a lot of house music growing up so I’ve honestly just always never not been around music. Music is the only way I feel free, it brings me so much joy and peace
What inspires you?
Music, Fashion, Art - I’m a huge visual person, when I go into meetings for music or explain my creative vision, I need every single thing visually to be how I wanted it to turn out and how I envisioned it or I lose love of the project.
“I really just love the performers, The dream is to have a career, performance wise like Tate and Justin.”
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
I’d say it changes very often, growing up it was always Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter - A lot of the Disney stars, I loved Selena, Miley, Demi, The Jonas Brothers but right now I’d say the main artists I look towards when creating my own music and who really inspire me the most nowadays (is still all those artists but), Tate McRae, Tyler, The Creator, Doechii, Doja Cat, Pharrell Williams, The Kid LAROI - I’m such a music and pop culture lover there’s too many artists to count - I really just love the performers, The dream is to have a career, performance wise like Tate and Justin.
Who would be your ultimate Collab Partner be and why?
Tate McRae, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Rihanna or Pharrell - They are just in a lane I want to go down, they are such strong vocalists and performers and seriously are just incredible - Visionaries truly
“This is the issue, I have no other options so let’s all pray for me this works out!!!”
If you weren’t a musician what else would you be doing now?
I have no clue… This is the issue, I have no other options so let’s all pray for me this works out!!!
All jokes aside, I do have a love for real estate and could really see myself becoming an agent one day or possibly a stylist but really I’m tunnel vision on music
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Gary Pinto. That man is seriously one of the kindest, selfless and caring people I have ever met - I couldn’t do any of this without him
“All I want to be doing is creating music that makes people happy and most importantly makes me happy”
Where would you like to see your career in a year's time and five years down the road? What do you hope you have achieved?
To be honest, All I want to be doing is creating music that makes people happy and most importantly makes me happy - I’d love to be touring the world, the dream is to play arena’s hopefully someday in the future, I just want it so bad - I’m ready to go big, I’ve got such a hunger and drive.
Do you have a message for the Ollie Hunt fans and supporters?
Thank you to all of you!! I can’t thank anyone enough for listening to my music and supporting me. This is only the beginning and I really hope that this becomes a long journey we can all go on together - I’ve really made it a goal to try and reply to all the DM’s I get from people who support me and surprisingly it’s already been a large amount, I just want the people who help me make my dreams come true, to know how much I truly do love and appreciate them.
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2025
