Creating on a major label isn't for every kind of artist. Some find the most creative satisfaction working outside of the strict confines of a label. Usually, they'll allow you to express yourself freely. However, it also comes with the caveat that they have to recoup their money back too. Consequently, compromises come into play and oftentimes rubs against the creative instinct. For Huntley, signing to a major label like Republic Records after winning The Voice in 2023 would usually be a good thing. However, he's finding much more satisfaction outside of the system. How come?
Videos by Wide Open Country
Recently, Huntley spoke with Northern Virginia Magazine for an interview. There, he candidly admits that he wanted to spread his wings a little more creatively. "I just felt like it was right for me to release and produce the kind of music I wanted to if I stepped away from the label," he says.
Huntley Finds Liberty in Stepping Away From Major Label System
Moreover, he acknowledges the pattern of winners on The Voice being handicapped by singing covers exclusively. That simply isn't the road he wants to travel in his career. Huntley continues, "Coming into that the first two months was my decision, and I feel like it jump-started me being able to release two songs before the end of the year. A lot of The Voice winners release covers, or they're bound by contract what they can or can't release. I feel like the reason I won the show was because I stayed genuine."
So what's the plan now? Surprisingly, Huntley isn't opting for the album route, at least not yet. "I'm old school, so if I'm going to release an album, I want it to be a real album where all the songs correlate with each other," he says. "Right now, I just feel like I'm giving a lot of different pieces of Huntley, and it just gives me free roam to set apart a little bit and show different parts of myself rather than putting myself into one box."
