Interview with Music & News Reviewer Matt Bunting

Welcome to Hawk-IT Interviews! Today, I’m excited to introduce Navy veteran and Music News & Reviews creator, Matt Bunting. In this Q&A, we talk about his upbringing, his time in the Navy, how he got into content creation, and the hobbies and interests that inspire what he does today. I hope you guys enjoy reading this!!

Amit Ahuja: Tell us about where you grew up and the place you consider your hometown. What was the atmosphere like, and what kind of community surrounded you during your early years? How did the people, culture, and everyday environment influence your upbringing, and in what ways did that setting help shape your perspective, values, and sense of identity as you were growing up?

Matt Bunting: I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland—born in Salisbury and then closer to Ocean City. It’s a small, laid-back area that gets lively in the summer with tourists and boardwalk life, but winters are blue collar and quiet. I liked it, though I got into some trouble in high school and eventually moved to Arizona to be with my mom’s side of the family.

Amit Ahuja: Your roots often stay with you long after childhood. How have your upbringing and background influenced the person you are today, both as an individual and as a husband? Are there particular values, beliefs, or life lessons instilled by your family or community that continue to guide how you approach relationships, decision-making, and personal growth? Do you ever notice elements of your background—such as stories, emotions, or lived experiences—surfacing in your daily life or creative expression, sometimes in ways you may not even consciously recognize?

Matt Bunting: Family was a big part of my childhood until my parents divorced. Moving between houses and changing schools forced me to socialize more, even though I was an awkward kid who spent a lot of time playing video games and listening to music. Skateboarding and friends broadened my tastes and social life. Seeing my parents split made me determined to make my own marriage work and be better in relationships.

Amit Ahuja: Take us back to the moment you decided to join the Navy. What was happening in your life at that point, both personally and professionally? Were there specific circumstances, influences, or internal motivations that led you toward that decision? What ultimately convinced you that this was the right path for you at that time?

Matt Bunting: After graduating from Northern Arizona University in 2008 with a criminal justice degree, the housing crash made jobs scarce and I wasn’t into being a cop or going to law school. I had loans and felt lost, so I looked at the military. The recruiter offered to help pay my student loans if I enlisted in the Navy, and I wanted structure, routine, and a sense of community so I joined.

Amit Ahuja: Can you describe the specific role you served in while in the Navy and what your responsibilities looked like on a day-to-day basis? What initially drew you to that particular position, and how did it align with your skills or interests at the time? How did serving in that role challenge you, both professionally and personally, and what lessons or experiences from that position stand out most when you reflect on your time in the Navy?

Matt Bunting: I joined as an aircrewman, basically flying on planes to hunt submarines. Early days were pre flight briefs, 5 to 6 hour flights, debriefs, then home. After 16 years I’m more on the leadership side now — paperwork, mentoring junior sailors, helping with their careers, education, and fitness. I love shaping their paths; that part is really rewarding.

Amit Ahuja: Reflecting on your journey in the Navy—from the initial decision to serve to where you stand today—how has that experience shaped you beyond the uniform? In what ways have the structure, discipline, responsibilities, and challenges of Navy life influenced your values, mindset, and sense of purpose, especially during periods of uncertainty or personal growth? How have your day-to-day experiences, time away from home, exposure to different environments and perspectives, and the relationships you’ve formed along the way changed how you see yourself and the world? As you continue your service or look toward life beyond it, what lessons, strengths, or personal growth do you hope will remain with you long after this chapter closes?

Matt Bunting: The Navy gave me structure, routine, and perspective. Seeing how people handle real world turmoil — military and financial — pushed me to be better. Leadership experiences, good and bad, shaped my values, discipline, and how I relate to others. It forced me to develop networking and organizational skills I might not have had otherwise.

Amit Ahuja: Much of your work centers around music, particularly through your reviews and insights on music news and trends. How did your interest in creating this type of content first begin, and what motivated you to start sharing your thoughts publicly? As you’ve continued on this creative path, how has your voice and process evolved over time? What opportunities, connections, or unexpected experiences have emerged as a result of putting your work out into the world, and how have those moments contributed to your growth, both creatively and personally?

Matt Bunting: I got into music content during COVID. I’d always loved music and posted guitar clips and tutorials, but watching my wife make reels pushed me to start talking about music and doing reviews. I got hooked on the community — reading comments, debating takes — and over time I got more comfortable speaking my mind and enjoying the process without taking it too seriously.

Amit Ahuja: Being visible online often comes with criticism. How do you personally handle trolls, negativity, or people who openly attack your work or opinions? What strategies or mindset help you stay focused, protect your mental well-being, and continue doing what you love without losing your sense of self?

Matt Bunting: I used to care more about trolls and criticism, but now I take it with a grain of salt. People online want attention; some criticism is useful, but personal attacks on me or my family get blocked. I’ll respond playfully sometimes, consider constructive feedback, and move on.

Amit Ahuja: Let’s shift gears and talk about your distilled spirits brand. Can you share the story behind how the brand first came to life and what inspired you to enter the distilled spirits space? What does the brand represent to you on a personal level, and how does it reflect your values, vision, or life journey? From building the brand’s identity to navigating the challenges of the industry, what has that process been like so far? Looking ahead, what goals or long-term direction do you envision for the brand?

Matt Bunting: The brand started from a creator merch idea — shirts to let fans support and rep the channel. I’ve been sober nearly six years, so “Distilled Spirits” is a tongue in cheek play on words and a nod to a Green Day lyric I misheard as a kid. The logo plays with a mischievous ghost concept — “distilled spirits” as actual spirits. Long term I want to release more merch, tees and hats, mainly for followers to support and help grow the brand.

Amit Ahuja: Happiness and success can mean very different things to different people. How do you personally define happiness in your own life, and how does that definition align—or sometimes conflict—with your creative and professional ambitions? What helps you stay grounded while striving for growth, balance, and fulfillment?

Matt Bunting: Happiness, to me, is doing something you enjoy and are good at and getting paid for it. Music and music content let me express creativity and connect with a community. Editing and releasing a video, then seeing people engage — that’s what makes me happy.

Amit Ahuja: Music often plays a deeply personal role in shaping who we are. Who are some of your all-time favorite bands or musical artists, and what is it about their work that resonates so strongly with you? Is it their lyrics, sound, energy, or the memories tied to their music? Have you attended any concerts or live performances that left a lasting impact—moments where you walked away thinking, “That was absolutely unforgettable”?

Matt Bunting: The bands that shaped me are the ones from my youth — nu metal bands and MTV era acts like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Blink 182, Eminem. I love underdog stories: bands that started from nothing and grew. I also heavily support local scenes; when I lived in Arizona I followed bands like Greeley Estates and Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and I still champion up and coming artists.

Amit Ahuja: How do you think social media—particularly platforms like TikTok—has reshaped the way people discover and engage with music today? Do you feel it has genuinely expanded opportunities for artists and audiences by making music more accessible, or has it shifted the focus toward short-lived trends rather than timeless, lasting art? In that same vein, do you believe the rise of viral success has lowered the standard for what we collectively consider “good” music, or has it simply transformed how talent is discovered and rewarded in a rapidly changing digital landscape? Finally, when you look at modern fan culture, do you think listeners are still deeply loyal to artists and their creative journeys, or have they become more attached to fleeting moments, algorithms, and trends that move on almost as quickly as they appear?

Matt Bunting: Social media has always mattered for music, from zines and MySpace to YouTube and now TikTok. Short form content dominates and attention spans have shortened, but the fans still drive everything. Bands have to put their best material forward in bite sized ways to reach people — short clips are the gateway now.

Amit Ahuja: Which artists or bands have you personally discovered so far in 2025 that have made a strong impression on you, and what specifically about their music, sound, or message drew you in? As you look ahead to the rest of 2026, which artists are currently on your radar that you’re most excited to follow as they continue to develop, release new music, and evolve creatively?

Matt Bunting: In 2025 I was into bands like TX2, The Paradox and PRESIDENT. There are also newer acts bringing fresh nostalgic energy — post-hardcore bands like I Promised the World, Car Underwater and punk bands like XCOMM and Super Sometimes are repping SoCal hard. I’m excited for what 2026 will bring for punk and rock.

Amit Ahuja: Do you believe an artist’s personal behavior, beliefs, or past actions should influence the way we listen to, support, or interpret their music, or do you think it’s possible—and even necessary—to separate the art from the artist? Where do you personally draw the line between appreciating creative work and holding individuals accountable for their behavior? Does that line shift depending on the severity of the situation, the time that has passed, or the artist’s willingness to take responsibility? And as listeners, do we have an ethical responsibility in how we consume music, or is the emotional connection to the art independent of the person who created it?

Matt Bunting: There’s a line when it comes to separating art from the artist. I believe fans decide their own limits, but I draw the line at crimes against children — if someone is criminally liable for that, I won’t support them. For others who’ve shown remorse and changed, people will judge for themselves; gossip and allegations are tricky until proven.

Amit Ahuja: Outside of content creation, what hobbies, passions, or personal interests do you genuinely enjoy spending time on? What activities help you recharge, bring you joy, or provide a sense of fulfillment and balance in your life?

Matt Bunting: Outside of work we focus on health and fitness — walking, hiking (we live in Hawaii), trying new restaurants, and recharging at home. We spoil our two dogs, Chicken and Bernie. I read a lot — action, sci fi, horror — Stephen King is my favorite. And of course, music is always on at home, from Falling in Reverse to Taylor Swift.

Amit Ahuja: Can you share three individuals who have played a significant role in shaping your life, whether through positive influence or challenging experiences, personally or professionally? What impact did each of them have on you, and how did those relationships or lessons help shape the person you’ve become?

Matt Bunting: Three people who shaped me: my dad — taught work ethic and gave me classic rock and 90s alt tastes; my wife — hardworking, resilient, first to push into social media and always encouraging me; and my grandmother — she gave me a safe, steady place growing up and was the family rock. Her passing in 2008 was hard, but her calm influence stuck with me.

Amit Ahuja: If you’re comfortable sharing, can you tell us the story of how you and your wife, Nicki, first met? What were your initial impressions of her, and what was it about her—whether her personality, values, or the way she made you feel—that stood out to you early on? As your relationship grew, what moments or qualities made you realize she was the person you wanted to spend your life with and ultimately marry? Looking back now, how has that partnership shaped who you are, both personally and professionally?

Matt Bunting: Nicki and I met online after I moved to Jacksonville in 2017. From the first date I knew she was different — outspoken, blunt, kind, and real. She was a hairstylist turned instructor and now works in health and fitness; she genuinely cares about helping people be their best. Her authenticity and compassion are what made me know she was the one.

Amit Ahuja: Putting yourself out in the public eye often invites both praise and criticism. How do you navigate negative feedback or online hostility, and what practices or boundaries help you protect your peace while staying committed to your creative work?

Matt Bunting: Public criticism for me usually centers on supporting polarizing artists like Ronnie Radke or my hometown favorites All Time Low. I stick to my views but take valid criticism to heart. I’ve made mistakes, owned up to them, and followed up when I was wrong. Setting boundaries and being honest about changing opinions helps.

Amit Ahuja: If you could bring back any trend, TV show, or pop culture moment from the past—even one that might be considered cringey today—what would it be, and why does it still hold meaning or nostalgia for you?

Matt Bunting: I’d bring back MTV shows like TRL or MTV Underground — hour long, fan focused specials that spotlight new bands and fan voting. We rely too much on nostalgia playlists; I’d like to see more spotlight on new songs and upcoming artists. I think Jesea Lee does a good job of this with his weekly Top 10 countdown.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a character from pop culture—whether from television, movies, books, or video games—that you’ve always felt represented you in an unexpected way? What is it about that character or their journey that resonates with you?

Matt Bunting: I don’t really identify with any single pop culture character. I take influence from different people and ideas instead of one figure. I’ve admired Ronnie for overcoming adversity and Finn McKinty for being unapologetically himself in content creation — both inspired me in different ways.

Amit Ahuja: Creativity and mental health are often deeply intertwined. Can you share any personal experiences navigating mental health challenges throughout your creative journey? What coping tools, habits, or support systems have helped you maintain resilience and balance? What advice would you offer to other artists who are learning how to protect their mental well-being while remaining creatively expressive?

Matt Bunting: There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes mental strain in content creation. Dry spells where nothing performs well can make you feel inadequate. Pushing through those creative lulls is key. I lean on other creators, friends, and my wife for support. Accept that it’s cyclical and keep going.

Amit Ahuja: As we bring this conversation to a close, what final reflections or heartfelt message would you like to leave with readers? Is there a guiding philosophy, lesson, or piece of wisdom that feels especially meaningful to you right now—something that truly reflects who you are and how you move through the world?

Matt Bunting: My biggest piece of advice: if you’re passionate about something, just do it. The start is the hardest part — get through the awkward early months, keep improving, network, and build real connections. Lean on people you trust, believe in yourself, and you can make it.

Amit Ahuja: Thank You Matt Bunting for sharing your story with my readers.

Explore the link to Matt Bunting's Beacon to follow his online presence:

https://beacons.ai/realmattbunting?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnvwtpBkWJdZvh5AmmfobrHiXy2LVn4PR1sKUFc6cRaQgwCnHBAXxxisY2pJM_aem_LS3ZvttRzguepmy_Sm48aA

*Photos are credited to Matt Bunting unless otherwise specified.*