Listening to Hamond’s debut album, Pirate Radio, it’s difficult to believe he hasn’t done this before. Offering an experimental mix of genres and influences while still delivering catchy pop sentiments, Hamond showcases a sonic confidence that shouldn’t be possible for someone so young. That, coupled with the fact he made the entire album from his bedroom and it starts to feel like something really special. What the Do It Yourself (DIY) scene often lacks in skill and production, it makes up for in energy and angst, and yet Hamond has managed to capture all these elements into a singular work.

Raised in Houston but now living in Los Angeles, Hamond was first trained in classical music. His grandfather was in the Chicago Symphony and he cites that for much of his early musical inspiration. In middle school, Hamond started making hip-hop beats for other kids to rap over before eventually setting out to create his own album. Pirate Radio takes its name from the popular DIY UK radio movement of the ’60s, “I was originally playing a lot with UK electro, pulling garage and 90s stuff then I found UK tapes of pirate radio and got super inspired by those and started running my music through tape machines to get a similar feel.”

Hamond sees his record as just one element of a bigger album that explores the DIY pirate radio ethos. He’s looking to create pop-up physical and audio experiences, while also making a point to direct his own music videos. “Directing just made sense to me, the videos are just an extension of the music, as are all these other pieces we are working on.” It’s clear when talking to him that Hamond isn’t afraid to experiment and challenge the norms of how things are generally done.

It’s this DIY attitude that has made Hamond shy away from labels and record deals in favor of putting his album out on his own. “There’s a time and a place for labels and the like, but right now I’m just trying to make music.” The music industry is notorious for taking advantage of young talent and locking them into unfavorable deals so it’s refreshing to see someone who isn’t driven by validation, but instead by a desire to create something authentic.

Mixing genres and pushing boundaries, Hamond knows exactly what he’s trying to do, and we’re excited to see what he does next.