Draft:Benjamin Hunter
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Benjamin Hunter (born January 31, 1978), known professionally as Brother Wolf, is an American musician, professor, journalist, producer, and stage actor. He is best known for his work as the frontman of the bands Head and Love Fossil, as well as his solo project Brother Wolf, a multidisciplinary art-rock endeavor based in Michigan.
Early life
[edit]Hunter was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, and raised in Traverse City. His father, a building official and musician, introduced him to bands like Love, MC5, and Roxy Music. He began piano lessons at age three and expanded to drums, bass, guitar, and analog sampling by high school. In 1993, he co-founded his first band, The Wheateaters, while attending St. Francis High School. He later studied Communications and Music Technology at Grand Valley State University under professors Pieter Snapper and Corey Anton.
Music
[edit]
Hunter has fronted the rock band Head since 1999 and co-founded Love Fossil in 2005. In 2020, he released his debut solo album as Brother Wolf, titled No Masters, praised by Local Spins for its genre-blending style and socially conscious songwriting.[1]
In 2023, he released his sophomore album, After Fear, noted for its introspective themes reflecting on the pandemic and political unrest.[2] The album features Grand Rapids musicians Matt Younker, Britt Younker, Justin Sharrow, and Jennifer Dodde. Critics praised tracks such as "Something Better" and "Worthless Billionaire" for their sociopolitical themes and operatic art-rock style.[3]
The video for the album’s opening track, "Wait", directed by Amy Wilson and featuring choreography by Hannah Sullivan, uses expressive dance to reflect on isolation and the longing for connection during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
Academics and journalism
[edit]Hunter earned a Master of Science in Communication from Grand Valley State University in 2003. He taught aboard the Ocean Star through Florida Keys Community College’s semester‑at‑sea program, and from 2005 to 2013, he was an adjunct professor at GVSU, teaching recording engineering, mass media, and cultural studies. He is a member of the Media Ecology Association.
From 2004 to 2012, Hunter served as culture editor for West Michigan–based *Recoil Magazine*, a free satire and arts publication managed by him in Grand Rapids.[5] From 2007 to 2010, he was editor‑in‑chief of *Wide‑Eyed Magazine*, a Los Angeles‑based print publication that served as the official media partner for Coachella in 2008, and which lists his editorship on his professional bio.[6] He has interviewed artists such as Frank Black, Saul Williams, Shepard Fairey, and Henry Rollins.
Event promotion and community building
[edit]In 2010, Hunter co-founded the Prospecto Musical Showcase and Sonic Experience, a three-day, multi-venue music and arts festival in Grand Rapids that coincided with ArtPrize. As Creative Director, he curated a lineup of more than 90 acts, including GZA, Indian Jewelry and Smoking Popes .[7][8]
Theater and philanthropy
[edit]Hunter has performed in theatrical productions including a 2014 benefit staging of Jesus Christ Superstar at St. Cecilia Music Center, which raised funds for Well House, a nonprofit supporting housing access.[9]
Artistic influences
[edit]Hunter has described himself as "aesthetically promiscuous," a term he attributes to David Bowie. His musical influences include Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., Björk, and hip-hop artists like Rakim, KRS-One, GZA, and Guru. He also credits thinkers such as Marshall McLuhan, Kurt Vonnegut, Carl Sagan, and Ram Dass as philosophical inspirations.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Hunter was raised Catholic but now identifies as atheist. He has no children. He married Sophia (Jacobs) Hunter in September of 2023.
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]- ^ Local Spins, Staff (14 December 2020). "Album Review: Brother Wolf – "No Masters"". Local Spins. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ Teeple, Alice (7 November 2023). "Listen to Brother Wolf's Progressive and Hopeful Alt‑Rock LP "After Fear"". Post‑Punk.com. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ Donker Curtius, Robb (12 November 2023). "Brother Wolf and the Art Rock of "Elon Musk and the Worthless Billionaire"". American Pancake. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ Teeple, Alice (12 November 2023). "Michigan Alt‑Rock Artist Brother Wolf Wanders the Woods in the Video for "Wait"". Post‑Punk.com. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ Frantz, Cliff & Kimberly. "Recoil Magazine (Grand Rapids)". LocalWiki. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ "About — HMG". Hunter Media Group. 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ Barton, John Liberty (28 June 2010). "New three-day Grand Rapids concert event Prospecto launches with national and local acts during ArtPrize". MLive.com. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ Manes, Nick (9 September 2010). "Prospecto, or, How a Three-Day Festival Could Change Grand Rapids". Rapid Growth Media. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ Local Spins, Staff (2 April 2014). ""Jesus Christ Superstar" Bring Heavenly Rock‑n‑Roll to St. Cecilia Music Center Friday for Good Cause". Local Spins. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
- ^ "Dark, Epic, and Intentional: Interview with Brother Wolf". Secret Eclectic. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 30 July 2025.