OLLIE HUNT Embraces the Uncertainty of Growing Up on Euphoric New Single “ON THE RUN”

Australian singer-songwriter OLLIE HUNT is stepping into a new chapter with “ON THE RUN,” an atmospheric pop single that explores the complicated relationship between freedom, self-doubt, and the fear of getting too close. Blending airy production with R&B influences and emotionally driven songwriting, the release captures the restless excitement of being young, ambitious, and unsure of where life might lead.

Produced by NEW-HAVEN, whose credits include Imagine Dragons, NCT, Martin Garrix, and Benson Boone, “ON THE RUN” pairs expansive, contemporary production with OLLIE HUNT's intimate vocal delivery. Additional background vocals and vocal production from Australian music veteran Gary Pinto bring further depth to a track that balances vulnerability with an undeniable sense of release.

At its core, “ON THE RUN” examines the instinct to escape just as something meaningful begins to develop. Through imagery of clipped wings, exit signs, and train rides, OLLIE HUNT explores the tension between wanting genuine connection and fearing the expectations that come with it. Rather than presenting restlessness as something that needs fixing, the song considers whether constantly moving forward might simply be part of discovering who you are.

Having recently turned 20, OLLIE HUNT draws from his own experiences navigating adulthood, personal ambition, and the realization that growth sometimes means leaving familiar people and places behind.

“I hope people listen to ON THE RUN and feel heard or seen in the song,” he shares.

The release follows a growing catalog that includes his debut EP Prelude and singles “Running Back,” “Ah!,” “SPEEDY,” and “Stay Cold.” With more than 700,000 independent streams, OLLIE HUNT continues developing a creative identity that blends contemporary pop, R&B, hip-hop, and fashion.

What makes “ON THE RUN” particularly engaging is its contrast between emotional uncertainty and euphoric production. The song doesn't pretend to have the answers; instead, it finds something liberating in the possibility of not knowing what comes next.

For OLLIE HUNT, “ON THE RUN” is a compelling reminder that growing up isn't always about finding somewhere to settle. Sometimes, it's about having the courage to keep moving.

“ON THE RUN” explores the tension between wanting genuine connection and feeling the need to escape. What inspired that conflict, and how much of the song reflects your own experiences?

Honestly, the entire song is centered around my current life. I’m at a very confusing point where I love my friends, and the relationships I have with them are incredibly important to me. But on the other hand, the fact that I’m not further along in my career and haven’t yet reached the level of success I want genuinely keeps me up at night, even though I know I’ve only been doing this for a short amount of time. I have this constant hunger and drive to create music, and I know that nothing is going to get in the way of my dreams.

At the same time, I realize that building a life for myself and making those dreams a reality will inevitably come at the expense of some of my relationships. Unfortunately, I’m from Melbourne, Australia, and while there’s so much talent and potential here, the music industry itself is quite limited. Deep down, I know that to make everything I envision for myself a reality, I’ll have to leave the life I’ve built here behind.

Having recently turned 20, you're navigating a period of major personal and creative change. How has that transition influenced your songwriting and the way you see your future?

When I was 19, I was so stressed about turning 20. I honestly felt like I was running out of time, but the moment I turned 20, I felt this weight lift off my shoulders. It’s almost like having that 0 next to my age made me realize just how much time I actually have. I also think I’m being taken more seriously behind the scenes simply by having that 2 there.

I feel so much more confident going full throttle with my music and no longer shying away from certain topics. When I was in my teens, I felt this pressure to keep everything marketable, palatable, and clean, which, honestly, is just not who I am. I feel like I’m really stepping into my own, both personally and creatively, and the music I have coming is so much stronger because of it. It feels so much more authentic to who I am as a person.

You worked with producer NEW-HAVEN and Australian music veteran Gary Pinto on this release. What did each bring to the creative process, and how did they help shape the song's atmospheric sound?

Gary really is the one who took me under his wing and helped turn this dream I’ve always had into something real. He’s been a part of basically everything I’ve done, from the very beginning right up until now. Without Gary, I genuinely wouldn’t be where I am today. He has the most incredible voice, so to have him doing backing vocals on this track and just blessing the song with his talent is honestly the best. I really feel like his contribution made the song what it is.

Working with Mark (NEW-HAVEN) has also been such a fun experience. He really is so talented, and whenever I explain the sound or vibe I’m going for, he can instantly take that idea and create something even better than I imagined. He has this incredible ability to understand exactly what I’m envisioning and bring it to life. Working with both of them has been such a cool experience and genuinely such an honor.

You've already surpassed 700,000 streams independently while developing a distinct identity across music and fashion. How important is visual storytelling to your artistry, and how do you approach building a recognizable creative world?

To be honest, I only now feel like I’ve developed a visual identity that I feel truly confident and strong in, which you’ll start to see with my upcoming releases. It’s so hard because I genuinely love music in all its forms. I’ll listen to just about every genre and find something I love about it. I’m also incredibly indecisive and constantly want to pivot and experiment with different sounds.

I recently watched an interview with Zara Larsson on Popcast, where she explained it so perfectly. Essentially, you need to create a brand that feels authentic to you, but is also clear and recognizable to an audience. I’ve also realized, particularly over the past month or so while working with a new team of producers and writers, that the best music comes from what genuinely feels real to you.

I’ve always had a huge passion for fashion, so I’m really trying to bring those two worlds together and incorporate my personal style into my artistry, creative direction, and visuals. I think as I continue to grow, the audience is starting to see that connection more and more.

My next release, and the visual storytelling surrounding it, feels so incredibly me and so powerful. But for “ON THE RUN,” I wanted to do something simpler and create this beautiful, angelic world. I wanted to prove that even with a smaller budget and a relatively simple music video, I could still capture an audience and create something visually compelling.

I’m so proud of everything I’ve achieved so far.

Being some nobody from Australia and somehow managing to garner over 700,000 streams completely organically is honestly crazy to me, especially in a day and age where fake streams and inflated numbers are so prominent. It makes everything I’ve built feel that much more rewarding.

“ON THE RUN” finds freedom in uncertainty rather than trying to resolve it. What have you learned about trusting yourself when the future feels unpredictable, and what do you hope listeners take away from the song?

“ON THE RUN” feels like the perfect song to bridge the gap between where I was, where I am now, and where I’m going. I’ve learned that my best music, and the music I feel the most passionate about, is what I create for myself. I love all the music I’ve released, but looking back, I think a lot of it came from trying to make what I thought would do well, rather than simply making what I wanted. Ironically, the songs where I’ve just done exactly what I wanted have always performed the best.

I’ve learned to trust myself more and continue creating music that genuinely resonates with me. I’m learning to trust my own vision, and I’ve realized that the more confident I am in what I’m creating and the more I back myself, the clearer the future starts to become, and the more people begin to get on board with that vision.

I hope that anyone who feels lost, confused, or conflicted can find some peace in this song. Especially young people who feel torn between different paths or feel this immense pressure to become something or have their lives figured out. I hope the song makes them feel seen and reminds them that they aren’t alone in those feelings.

More than anything, I just hope that anyone who listens to my music feels something. I’d much rather someone walk away with an emotion, whether that be good or bad, than feel absolutely nothing at all. To me, that’s what music is supposed to do.