“I Have a Sparkle” - In Conversation with Hunter Daily on Tour, Self-Love, and Making Music

The sold-out Live Music Hall in Cologne is filled with people who either instantly pile up at the merch table for MICO’s and Hunter Daily’s merchandise or dance and sing along to the pre-show playlist, which includes songs by Sabrina Carpenter and Haiden Henderson. At precisely 8 p.m., the lights dim and the crowd welcomes Hunter Daily on stage, guitar in hand.

The energy is there from the very beginning. Hunter Daily radiates a positive, infectious light, smiling brightly at the crowd as she greets everyone before asking, “Can I tell you guys a secret?” The response is immediate — a roar from the audience, eager to hear what she has to say. “Cool!” She smiles and launches into her song “Girl Friend”, “I’ve got a girlfriend, she’s not my girlfriend, but she’s stuck in my head,” prompting the crowd to nod along and cheer loudly.

With her guitar leading the way, the fans remain fully engaged, applauding loudly after the opening number. She responds warmly, calling the crowd “so sweet,” and mentions that this is her second time in Cologne.

Originally from Los Angeles, she asks the crowd if anyone has ever been there. A collective “no” follows, which makes her laugh before she comments on how icy it is in Cologne compared to home.

Her second song of the night is “Die in LA.” With the guitar carrying the melody, fans sway and nod along. During the chorus, she urges the crowd to sing, and the room fills with voices shouting, “I don’t wanna die in LA,” followed by loud applause, ringing guitars, and Hunter reacting with an amused, “What?” before repeating the line once more.

Spotting a fan with a gift, she pauses the show, visibly excited. “You have a present for me?” she asks, curiosity written all over her face. “And for Danny!” The fan exclaims. Hunter introduces Danny Spadaro as her guitarist and eagerly awaits seeing the gift, sharing her excitement and listening as the fan explains that they designed it themselves. Taking a few gifts and a flag in her possession, she wore a smile that was both touched and grateful.

The third song, “Cowboy’s Gonna Ride”, fills the venue with gentle guitar sounds and mesmerizing, soft lighting. Fans at the front sing along, completely immersed in the moment. During the song, Hunter notices a fan in the front row and addresses her directly. “Can I ask you a question? Are you okay?” she asks, telling the crowd that the fan is crying. She waits for a nod, then forms a heart with her hands. “Can we do a heart and send her some love?” she suggests, and the entire venue mirrors her gesture, creating a powerful and emotional moment.

Opening up, Hunter shares that she went through a breakup over the summer before performing “Like You Used To.” The song feels especially heartfelt, with lyrics that convey a longing for things to return to their original state. Danny adds a second voice, sending goosebumps through the crowd and giving the song even more depth. As the song builds, the audience begins clapping along, showing strong engagement throughout.

“I feel really close to you, Cologne,” Hunter says, earning loud applause and whistles. By including the city directly in her interactions, she makes the performance feel even more intimate and personal.

Thanking the crowd, she explains that at every stop on tour, she asks the audience to teach her something in their language that she can bring back to Los Angeles. Several people raise their hands, and she chooses a girl to her right, holding out the microphone for her. “Schmetterling,” the fan says and explains that it is the German word for “Butterfly.” The crowd erupts into applause when Hunter naturally expresses it. The perfect word to learn as the first line of her next performing song goes like, “California Poppies don’t die, they just turn into butterflies.”

Before performing “California Poppies”, however, Hunter teaches the crowd a dance. The audience eagerly follows along, dancing throughout the song with her energetic and playful performance.

Fans shout compliments back and forth — “You’re so pretty!” one calls out, to which Hunter replies, “You’re so pretty too.” When someone yells, “I love you,” she answers without hesitation, “I love you too.”

She then asks, “Who is excited for MICO?” and the crowd screams. Laughing, she says it wasn’t loud enough and asks again, resulting in even louder screams and applause.

Sharing a personal anecdote, Hunter shares that she accidentally drove through red lights and stopped at green lights, calling it dangerous and comparing it to how she approaches relationships — diving straight into red flags. When she asks if anyone else does the same, some fans scream in agreement before she addresses them and says, “I’m sorry, we should stop that.”

Bathed in purple lights, she moves toward the end of her set with a short cover of Olivia Rodrigo’s “traitor,” which perfectly fits her voice and her song “Hope For The Best.” The night was followed by another upbeat moment with “Video Games”, during which she shows the crowd another dance and points to fans as they eagerly join in.

As the song ends, Hunter announces that it’s actually her last song, commenting on how fast time flies. Joking into the microphone, she adds, “Someone get MICO — we need another ten minutes.”

She admits she doesn’t want to leave, prompting a fan to shout, “I don’t want you to go.” Hunter shares that the fan had visited multiple stops, and this night marks the final one. The response of that fan was heartwarming: “If you ever tour Germany on your own, I will be there.” It made the moment even more special, making Hunter smile.

Before leaving, she asks, “Can you guys do claws for me?” as the crowd begins to clap, launching into her hit song "Claw Marks." Laughing, she adds, “How can you just go and leave me, Cologne?” before closing with, “I love you, Cologne. I’m Hunter Daily. Meet me at the merch table — and get ready for MICOOO.”

The crowd claps loudly as she exits the stage. Instead of disappearing immediately, Hunter goes straight to the front, hugging fans, taking pictures, and exchanging a few words before finally heading backstage.

And we go right with her to sit down with Hunter, talk about the EU/UK tour, her second EP "Claw Marks", inspirations, and her favorite music.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE:

Sabrina: Hunter, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. How are you feeling? You just performed for another sold-out venue that got even upgraded before its show day.

Hunter: Oh, it got upgraded before the show day? Today?

Sabrina: No. Not today. But like a little while ago.

Hunter: I’m feeling great. We had a couple of huge shows in the very beginning, so it was really nerve-racking because I was like, "Oh my God," I haven’t performed in front of this many people and then we had like an hour, I don’t know, like 15 shows in. So, I have more of a groove. Every crowd is slightly different, so it is about me, like listening to the crowd and trying to feel out their vibe so that I can provide a vibe that will make them have a good experience at the concert. But I feel good. I love performing. The bigger the crowd, the more energy in the room. So, I love that.

Sabrina: Yeah. That’s true. Let’s start with some self-love. What are three characteristics you love about yourself?

Hunter: Oh, that’s hard. It is really hard. I’m very hypercritical of myself. But I’m learning to love the part of myself that is sweet and soft. Because I think as a young girl, people always were like, “Oh, you’re so nice.” And I’d be like, 'I hate that. Like, don’t tell me that.' You know what I mean?

Sabrina: Yeah. I know what you mean.

Hunter: But now I’m like, no, that is what makes me me. I’m gentle, I am soft, and I’m genuine.

Sabrina: That’s really rare nowadays.

Sabrina: How is it to be back on tour, and how did you meet MICO?

Hunter: I actually met MICO on tour. Which is also how I met Leah (Kate). Right before the tour. We were not close friends before.

Sabrina: Oh, I didn’t know that.

Hunter: Yeah. Her old manager, this guy named Jacob, was a big fan of mine, and he was like, “Hey, I’m looking for an opener for Leah. Do you want to open?” And I was like, “Yeah.”

Sabrina: That’s so sweet. And now you’re best friends.

Hunter: Now we’re best friends. It’s crazy. But she asked me to grab coffee beforehand. We spend more time together. MICO just did a U.S. tour, then came to LA for like, I don’t know, two weeks or something like that. And I was like, “Oh, let’s get coffee.” And he was in sessions every day, working, working, working, working, working. He went home for about two days and then returned to the tour, so we didn’t have any time. So, we were introduced through our agents, which is quite remarkable. I forgot what the second question was.

Sabrina: All good, you already answered the second question. The first was, how is it to be back on tour?

Hunter: It’s amazing. It’s so surreal and beautiful. I love getting to see people I’ve known for a year and a half. So, seeing people like you come back and visit me is really rewarding and special because you’re familiar faces, like family. And then meeting all the new people, too. MICO’s fans are really sweet and lovely, and they’re also cute. So that’s been really fun.

Sabrina: That’s true. MICO's fans are lovely. Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Hunter: Yes. My pre-show rituals include doing my vocal warm-up, which I typically do about an hour before the show. I drink lots of water, and then I do, keep in mind I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual, I do kind of like a grounding thing before I go on stage, I say, “Universe, help me to be of service to this crowd, or be grounded in my body.” I set my intentions before every show. So, today, it was grounded in my body. Share my gifts and help so that these people can have a fantastic night tonight.

Sabrina: It’s really sweet.

Hunter: Yeah.

Sabrina: Let’s talk about your EP. You just released your second EP, “Claw Marks,” in September. You mentioned in your release post that it’s your most personal work yet. How does it feel to have the EP out in the world?

Hunter: It feels good. It feels really good, and it feels like I did it all by myself. My first EP was with a label. And so, this one, I was totally self-funded. It’s really representative of every little facet, which is my choice, and that’s really cool. It’s hard because, like, for example, I just had little team things that weren’t set into place. I wanted the songs to be heard by so many more people than those who heard them. However, I still think that songs can go viral at any time, as seen with Chappell Roan, whose album was released two years before any of its tracks went viral. I’m also thinking, you know, when my time comes, it’ll be there. I’m just happy I get to play these songs for this crowd, and that people are resonating and relating. Which one’s your favorite?

Sabrina: Video games.

Hunter: Oh, yeah?

Sabrina: Yeah, I will come back to it in a minute.

Hunter: Yay.

Sabrina: Which of the EP songs was the easiest to write?

Hunter: The easiest to write, honestly, one song that I don’t play on this tour is “Dead End.” That song we wrote in like two hours. It just flowed out of us. And I think I almost second-guessed that song because I was like, “Oh, it was written in two hours.” But sometimes the best songs are written in two hours.

Sabrina: That’s true. Yeah.

Hunter: Versus, like “Cowboys Gonna Ride,” was written in like six months. We just kept tweaking and changing, and it almost didn’t come out.

Sabrina: It almost didn’t come out?

Hunter: Danny, my guitarist, with whom I wrote it, didn’t want it to come out. He’s like, ‘It’s not good enough.' I was like, “It’s good enough. I swear.” He was being hypercritical. He’s a perfectionist. But it’s out. And it’s perfect.

Sabrina: Yeah, it’s perfect.

Hunter: Yeah. We also had someone else come in to co-produce it. So he was like, 'I’m stuck.' And I was like, "Don’t worry, I got you. I’ll figure it out."

Sabrina: Which one is the most fun to perform?

Hunter: Honestly, “Video Games.” It’s really fun.

Sabrina: With the little dance.

Hunter: Yeah, with the little dance. I mean, “California Poppies” is also really fun, and anything with a dance. I wish I could dance the whole set. It can sometimes feel stagnant because I’m doing four or five songs acoustically. I love being able to twirl around. And I might cut one song and put in a new song for the rest of the tour.

Sabrina: Which one?

Hunter: I might cut “Like You Used To.”

Sabrina: Oh, I like that song. Especially live as it hits differently than the studio version.

Hunter: I know. Me too. Which one would you cut if you had to cut one?

Sabrina: It’s hard. Why would you put me on the spot? I honestly don’t know.

Hunter: You don’t have to answer. You genuinely don’t have to answer it.

Sabrina: I don’t know. It's a really hard decision. I’m like so surprised that you actually had so many songs in your set. Usually, supporting acts can’t perform eight songs. During my research, I came across online reports stating that you were going to include five of your songs and a potential cover on the setlist.

Hunter: I ended up putting eight, but I asked MICO, the leading artist, for five more minutes. My set was only supposed to be 30 minutes. Now it’s 35. I pushed it a bit, and I’d go over that time every night anyway.

Sabrina: The people love you. They want more of Hunter Daily.

Hunter: Yeah, they like it. What do you want me to do?

Sabrina: I love the cover of the EP. It looks like a scene from a movie.

Hunter: Thank you.

Sabrina: How did you come up with the idea?

Hunter: The cover of the EP came; we were on the "Claw Marks" set. And my friend Ron, who shot all the covers for the singles and other items, we were at home, set up, and he, the boy, was outside the window with the box. It was part of the scene. And it was really representative of a breakup and being left by someone. This is the narrative of the EP, so I thought, 'Let me put that as the cover.' I teetered with, ‘Oh, I need to have something with my face, like front and center,’ but this one tells a more compelling story.

Sabrina: It’s really, really stunning. I love it.

Hunter: Thank you.

Sabrina: I love how you so vividly put into words and songs what it’s like to love someone who isn’t entirely in the relationship anymore, and the internal struggles of letting go or not. “Video Games,” the closing song of your EP, is totally different from your other songs. It’s playful, it’s sarcastic, and a tad sassy. The bridge, which sounds like a direct address to the listener, feels intimate yet powerful. Have you always wanted to incorporate this type of speaking section into your songs?

Hunter: No. I was heavily inspired by the pop girlies that are in my genre. I do feel like “Video Games” is the least like what I would have said my sound is. It’s out of my comfort zone. But it’s a fun song, and I really wanted to have some songs that I could play live that were going to be fun for an audience, because playing “Like You Used To” and “Cowboy’s Gonna Ride” are fun, but it’s different. I have to tap into my sad energy to tell the story of those songs, but with “Video Games,” I can be sassy, I can be fun, I can be flirty. And sometimes I want to be that. I want to feel that way. And I want you to feel sassy, fun, and flirty. I’ve been exploring what that side of myself looks like, and I decided to include that song on the EP because I wanted to dive deeper into that world of songs that make you feel good.

Sabrina: I really like that. It reminds me a little of Tiffany Stringer’s songs.

Hunter: Yes!

Sabrina: Do you have a favorite lyric from your new EP?

Hunter: I think “Everything I’ve ever let go has Claw Marks” because it just completely describes who I am as a person. And it’s one of those classic lines. In the way that we put it in the song, I was like, "How has this not been said before?" “How can you just up and leave me? Like it’s not hard, everything I ever let go has claw marks?” That fits so perfectly.

Sabrina: It does.

Hunter: But also, the “Cowboy’s gonna ride” line is a really smart line. “A spaceman’s gonna suit up, A cowboy’s gonna ride.” I don’t know. That’s a cool line.

Sabrina: That is indeed a cool line. And it’s stuck in everyone's head.

Hunter: Yeah. Exactly.

Sabrina: It has been three years since you released your first single, “Die in LA.”

Hunter: It’s been three years?

Sabrina: Yeah. It has been. What has changed for you ever since?

Hunter: I think that when I wrote “Die in LA,” I was really uncertain if I was going to be able to be an artist by myself, because I was in this band with my sister, and to this day, people were like, “Hunter, you’re great, but, like, what sets you apart?” And I don’t have blue hair, and I don’t want to dye my hair blue. I believe that many people have platforms. And if you’re meant to do this, you’ll do it no matter what. And I’m more inclined to believe in that. Like, if I’m meant to do this, then I will do it. But I think that I wrote “Die in LA” when I was like, "Do I have my own voice? Do I have something I want to say?" And it was like, almost like me tiptoeing. And it was all very vulnerable and personal, and all the things that I really needed to say. However, I think I have more confidence in myself now. I’m like, you know what? I think I have a voice, and I have something that somebody would want to hear. I’m proud of the fact that I allow myself to have a platform and to be heard, versus when I was a kid, I would be like, “No, I don’t need to. You can speak. I just hide." And now I’m like, “No, I’m going to share.”

Sabrina: As you should. You have a voice, and tonight's show and every other show of yours will prove that. Of all your songs since “Die in LA,” which one means the most to you?

Hunter: “Die in LA” is a really special song to me. As it was my first one. It truly embodies a unique experience of growing up in LA. Still, it’s also remarkably universal, as anyone can relate to feeling stuck in their hometown or anywhere they are. So that song is tough to beat. I don’t think another song means more to me. “Die in LA” is still my child, because it was the first song I wrote. But I do think that out of this last bunch, “Cowboy’s Gonna Ride” is, like, I love Kacey Musgraves, so I think that, like, I really tapped into that world with that song. I feel like that song could have been a Kacey Musgraves song, so I feel proud of it in the sense that I think it’s really strong songwriting. Where “Video Games” is a little more on the nose, “Cowboy’s Gonna Ride” is a little more poetic.

Sabrina: That is true.

Hunter: And then, “Claw Marks” is in my eyes more like a classic pop girly vibe. And I’m proud of the fact that I’m tapping into that lane too.

Sabrina: Did you know that you released your first song, “Die in LA,” in September, and your second EP, “Claw Marks,” as well?

Hunter: No way! I didn’t know that!

Sabrina: Okay, so there’s no reason why you chose September?

Hunter: No, no! It’s just when the EP was ready. But what a coincidence.

Sabrina: You live in the city of angels. An area that has produced many inspiring artists. Do you look up to anyone or draw inspiration from anyone in particular?

Hunter: Like I said, Kacey Musgraves, for sure. And then I really draw a lot of inspiration from the pop girls. I love pop music so much. I also love the sparkles in the outfits, makeup, and hair. If I’m being totally honest, I love Sabrina Carpenter. I love… I’m trying to think who my favorite artists are. I love them all. I love Addison Rae. I attended her concert, and she was stunning. The dancing was amazing. The music is great. It’s perfect. I love the pop girls.

Sabrina: Would Sabrina Carpenter, for example, also be your potential dream collab, or is there someone else you had really like to work with?

Hunter: Honestly. I would love to collaborate with Harry Styles. Or Taylor Swift. It would be really cool. And I mean if Taylor Swift ever said, “Come on a song with me,” I’d say, “Okay, please.”

Sabrina: We have to make it happen. Harry Styles would suit your style really well.

Hunter: Yes, we make it happen.

Sabrina: As the year comes to an end, I want to ask what your favorite memory of this year is, and what you’re looking forward to in 2026.

Hunter: Honestly, this chapter had so many ups and downs. The highs have been so high; this tour has been an awesome experience, so that is my favorite memory. And what I’m looking forward to in 2026 is, honestly, fresh starts. I’m going to clean up the house, and I’m also surrendering more to the universe. I kind of have always been the type of person who’s like, "Okay, the door is closed. Well, let me keep chipping away at the wood until I break through." And I’m really excited to try a different approach and see what doors open for me on their own.

Sabrina: It’s an excellent response.

Hunter: Thanks. Yeah. And just for the new music that I put out.

Sabrina: I’m looking forward to your new music.

Hunter: Yeah.

Sabrina: What do you appreciate most about your fanbase?

Hunter: I just appreciate that you guys are people that I fuck with. I want to hang out with you guys. That’s the best. I’d have a hard time if my fans were really old or…Just kidding. I love everyone. I love everyone, but I feel I love the girlies and the gays. I feel like you guys are cool and sweet and love the same things that I love. It’s nice to have fans who connect with you not just on a musical level, but also on life stuff.

Sabrina: On a personal level?

Hunter: Yeah. Exactly.

Sabrina: Thank you so much for taking the time today. I have one more question for you before we wrap up. At THE UNSEEN Magazine, we have an “Artist's Favorites” Playlist with recommendations. Are there any songs you would like to add to them?

Hunter: Oh. So songs of other artists?

Sabrina: Yeah. You can share a few of your favorites with me.

Hunter: Let’s see. Let’s see. I haven’t added any new music. Okay, well, I’ve been listening to a lot of Olivia Dean.

Sabrina: Oh, yeah. She's good.

Hunter: Yeah. Like, really good. And it just feels so calming to my nervous system; it sounds nostalgic and timeless, yet fresh. So, I love that. Some smaller artists I have on my playlist are like Keni Titus. I have been listening to a lot of Audrey Hobert because her songwriting is good. Zara Larsson, we love. I have some Alessi Rose on my playlist.

Sabrina: Which song?

Hunter: Right now, I have: “RIP”, “Everything, Anything?”, and “Same mouth”, co-written by Billy Walsh.

Sabrina: I have to listen to those. Which songs are your favorites by Olivia Dean?

Hunter: Oh, I love the whole album; it’s really nice, and her music is lovely. However, I’ve been particularly fond of “Baby Steps.” I just feel like it’s a really honest song. And I hadn’t heard that approach to life being like, “Yeah, like, no one to text when the plane lands,” like, I don’t know, it’s really honest. “Now there’s no one to text when the plane lands or to call when it’s taking off. Right, left, baby steps.”

Sabrina: We will definitely add them to the playlist.

Hunter: Yay! I’m so happy we did this.

Sabrina: Me too!

Hunter: Thank you for coming.

Sabrina: Thank you for having me.

Hunter: It was my pleasure.

LISTEN TO HUNTER DAILY'S NEW EP HERE: