One of One: Hunter Jordan on Building the Street Cowboy from the Ground Up

SNQLX: You’ve claimed the “Street Cowboy” as your identity — not just a persona, but almost a declaration. Where did that come from? Was it something you arrived at, or something that arrived at you? 

HUNTER: It’s kind of a funny combination of both. I knew I was at the point where I wanted something that could help describe who I am, but I honestly didn’t know what that was going to be. I grew up being influenced by all the country stuff we’ve all listened to, but I was also a classic rock and hip-hop guy. I didn’t feel like I was a typical country western cowboy, but I knew I had some of those elements. I’m a little rougher around the edges. Thus, the Street Cowboy brand was born.

SNQLX: Country, rock, hip-hop — a lot of artists say they blend genres, but fewer actually mean it. When you’re writing, do you consciously reach for those different sounds, or does the blend just happen in the room? 

HUNTER: I always believe in writing what this song wants, not what I want. Sometimes I’m in the room, and we write a song for another artist. Sometimes we’re in the room writing for me. Whatever genre influences we feel like best to get across the message, emotion, etc., that the song is crying out for, that’s the direction we go in. 

SNQLX: “YOU UP?” came out of a group trip — the “Frisco Disco” sessions. There’s something interesting about writing something intimate in a room full of people. How do you stay honest in a co-write? What does the room have to feel like before you’re willing to put something real on the table? 

HUNTER: I’ll say I’m now writing some of my absolute best stuff. I truly think that’s because I’ve grown personal relationships with the Frisco Disco guys. We’ve gotten personal both in and outside of the writing room. Expanding that connection and getting to know one another better has helped us write better songs. Now that those guys know me and who I am very well, they’re able to help me write the songs that aren’t afraid to go there. Whether it’s an emotional song, an in-your-face song or just a feel-good vibe, we don’t shy away from anything. 

SNQLX: You’ve talked about wanting to help people express things they can’t say out loud. That’s a heavy thing to carry into a song about a late-night text. How do you write something that sounds like a good time but still leaves room for that deeper resonance? 

HUNTER: Something I pride myself in is not settling. Just because we are writing a song that most wouldn’t think is that serious doesn’t mean we approach it with a half effort. I definitely think it’s possible to have a well-written banger. It isn’t only the singer/songwriter, folk, etc., vibe songs that can be deeper than the surface level. 

SNQLX: You wrapped your Gulf Coast Tour through Alabama. What does performing in a place like that — beach towns, regional scenes, people who showed up for you specifically — teach you that a streaming milestone can’t? 

HUNTER: I think it puts the name with the face. It gives you something tangible to hold onto. When you see your data and statistics, it’s easy to get lost in that and view them just for what they are. But it’s deeper than that. Every stream is a real-life person who is supporting me. When someone comes out to a show, and they express to me that it’s because they discovered my music and wanted to hear it live, that means more than anything. 

SNQLX: Most people see the 200K streams. They don’t see what it costs to get there. What’s something about this season of your career that doesn’t make it into the press release? 

HUNTER: A lot of people tend to think that artists just “blow up overnight,” and I laugh at that a lot. What most don’t realize is that it took every song I’ve released, snowballing and gaining momentum, to be able to hit the milestones that I’m hitting now. Achieving new heights on streaming numbers definitely wasn’t from just a one-hit-wonder or lucky moment where lightning struck. It’s been years and years of work compounding, getting me to where I am. Numerous releases, hundreds of live performances— it all goes hand-in-hand with building something. 

SNQLX: You’ve said you want to build a career that provides for a future family — not just financially, but with the kind of fulfilment that comes from living your dreams. That’s a rare thing for an artist to say out loud. How does that vision shape your decisions right now, when the pressure is to move fast and capitalize on momentum? 

HUNTER: It definitely shifts what you want to do and the timing of everything. I know I’ve felt numerous times like I put my future family and wife on hold to chase this crazy dream. I just keep reminding myself that I’m building something special, and the more solid foundation I can build, the better provider and man I can be for me and mine. I’ve definitely felt behind on the timeline on some things in my life, but I know that I’m getting closer to the things I want each and every day. 

SQNLX: Without giving too much away — what’s the next version of Hunter Jordan that you’re already becoming, even if no one’s heard it yet? 

HUNTER: I’ve fully embraced that I’m the Street Cowboy, and I’m creating my own lane in country. Are there other artists who may have one song similar to mine? Does my voice sound kind of like so and so on a certain song? Sure, I can see how people see that. But I know what I bring to the table cannot be imitated and is unique. Nobody is doing music in the exact way that I am. I am Hunter Jordan. I am one of one. I won’t ever quit.