Meet Hunter Kelly Cahalan | Musician – Songwriter – Performer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hunter Kelly Cahalan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hunter Kelly, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
To me, risk is necessary if you want to do anything meaningful. The biggest risks I’ve taken haven’t always been loud or dramatic — sometimes they’ve just been moments of saying “yes” to something that scared me or felt uncertain. Writing from a vulnerable place, releasing songs that reveal parts of myself, trusting my instincts instead of chasing trends — those are risks I take every day.

Choosing to prioritize music in my life and invest deeply in it — even while balancing other responsibilities — has been a major leap. It’s meant carving out space for something that doesn’t always promise stability, but consistently offers meaning. Every time I’ve followed that inner pull — even when I didn’t know exactly where it would lead — it’s brought growth, connection, and creative breakthroughs.

I try not to fear the unknown, but to stay open to it. Risk, to me, is a sign that I’m moving toward something alive.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My music lives in that space between shadow and light — it doesn’t shy away from the heavy or the sorrowful, but it always reaches for hope. Folk, indie, psychedelic folk, and rock all come through in my sound, but more than genre, it’s about emotion and honesty. I want people to feel the love and meaning in every lyric, even when it’s wrapped in sadness.

This project began from a place of deep grief — the loss of my past love, Hannah Hollibaugh. That pain cracked something open in me, and what came through was a flood of songs that felt like they carried pieces of both our souls. Music became a way to process the loss, but also to transform it into something healing — for me, and hopefully for others.

It hasn’t been easy. Balancing life, work, and the emotional weight of the songs is a constant challenge. But I’ve learned to stay open to the process and to trust the creative flow when it comes. I don’t box myself in — sometimes a song starts as a lyric, other times it’s just a feeling or a melody — and I try to honor that spark however it arrives.

What sets this project apart, I think, is the spiritual thread running through it. These songs aren’t just crafted — they’re received. I view creativity as a gift, and I see myself more as a vessel than a controller. That’s what keeps it honest.

What I want the world to know is that this isn’t just music — it’s a message: that even in our darkest hours, there is still light. And if you can hold on to that shimmer of love, it’ll carry you through.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I moved to Portland from Los Angeles, it was mostly to be closer to my brother and sister-in-law — and later, their son, my nephew, who came along after I got here. But what really made me fall in love with the place was the nature. That first hike up Powell Butte opened my eyes to the kind of beauty this region has to offer, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

If a close friend came to visit, I’d want them to experience the kind of moments that make this place feel alive. Maybe we’d hike through Mount Tabor or Forest Park, or head into the deeper rainforest trails to forage for mushrooms — something my brother taught me. Or maybe we’d take a drive to the coast, go clamming or crabbing, or just dive into one of the freezing waterfall pools on a hot day.

We might hit a show at Mississippi Studios or Revolution Hall, or just find a dive bar like The Goodfoot, shoot some pool, and catch a local band. For food, we could go big with Langbaan’s tasting menu, grab bold Thai-Texas BBQ fusion at Eem, or hit Jacqueline for their $1 oyster happy hour.

Or maybe we’d just stay in — cook a good meal, make some cocktails, listen to some tunes, and create something. That’s what Portland means to me: space to breathe, places to explore, and a rhythm that invites you to slow down and just be.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who’ve helped light the path — too many to name in full — but I’d have to shout out my family first. Their support, even when the road wasn’t clear, has been a steady foundation. I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have close friends and collaborators who’ve believed in my vision and reminded me of my “why” during the tougher stretches.

Above all, this entire project was brought on by the loss of my past love, Hannah Hollibaugh. Her memory lives in every note I write — in the sorrow, the hope, and the love that runs through my music. This journey is, in many ways, a tribute to her.

Website: https://hunterkellycahalanmusic.com

Instagram: @hunterkellycahalanmusic

Image Credits
For the personal photo and the 2nd additional photo:

photo by Dorey Kronick

For the 1st additional photo

created by Hannah Hollibaugh