Peter Hurley, a talented DJ and producer with roots in Westford, Massachusetts, joins Front of House Boston for a conversation. He takes us on a journey through his musical origins, the path that led him to become a DJ and producer, and immerses us in the intricate details of his current role as the executive producer for one of Big Night’s latest enterprises, “Big Night Media.”
Operating under his stage name “HRLY,” this DJ’s journey into the realm of music began during his early years when he first dabbled in piano lessons. The classical approach to his musical education, not only taught him the essential techniques but also laid the groundwork with foundational tools that would later enable him to navigate the intricacies of music.
“When I was growing up, my mom just like forcefully put me in piano. So, if it wasn’t for her, I don’t even know if music would really be as big a part of my life.”
“They were teaching me like Bach, Chopin, Beethoven. All these, like classical stuff. Beatles, some jazz, which is cool but I wanted to play pop music.”
“I was basically able to take the skills that I learned with playing piano. I was able to look up the chords online and then just like figure out the melody by ear. Or if I didn’t want to figure out how to play the melody on keys, I would sing it myself.”
The producer’s piano skills propelled him into the world of singing. While he passionately pursues singing just as a hobby, it has been instrumental in cultivating his self-assurance and imparting valuable techniques for audience connection – skills that he would later integrate into his career as a DJ.
“I’m not like a professional singer. I just always loved doing it. I’ve always been more talented at piano. And then whenever my family was like out of the house, is when I would try just singing along. I started building more confidence in myself by performing in open mics, and then I would post YouTube videos of me like actually doing it so I could kind of bridge the gap to actually having an audience.”
HRLY’s academic journey led him to UMASS Amherst, where he focused on marketing and communication. It was during his college years that he seized the chance to host his very own radio show, a slot that ran from the unconventional hours of 3 am to 6 am on Monday mornings. With a hint of playful sarcasm, he jests, “For sure I had a lot of listeners”. Despite the show’s unusual timing, it provided him with a valuable platform for delving more into the world of music, allowing him to cultivate and deepen his profound passion for it. As he reflects:
“That was a bizarre show; I called it ‘The Spectrum,’ and it was because I basically played like a huge change of music. I played from EDM, to indie, to oldies. Because it’s just literally all the music that I would listen to. It was just such a range of genres depending on like what my mood was. And I always just wanted to share new music, and I guess oldies are not necessarily new, but maybe music that people haven’t heard of in a while.”
After gaining valuable radio experience during college, HRLY continued to build upon his foundation by working with the street team at Mix 104.1. This opportunity served as a stepping stone for him as he transitioned into the role of a board operator for the radio station. During this time, he greatly enhanced his audio abilities, setting the stage for his continued journey in the world where he now dedicates most of his talents – “Big Night Media.”
As the pandemic brought about a profound transformation in both the entertainment and hospitality industries, and as the content creation landscape continued to flourish, the unforeseen silver lining emerged – the pandemic became a catalyst that propelled Big Night to unprecedented heights. This transformative period laid the foundation for the emergence of “Big Night Media,” making significant inroads into the media world, primarily through the production of podcasts.
“I just think today’s world is just becoming a very content-driven world, so I don’t think they really ever saw it being like a risky investment. It couldn’t kill them. So, just set up a couple of cameras and make great content.”
HRLY was brought on board for his exceptional audio and production skills. He readily admits that navigating the competitive podcasting realm has been a learning process, particularly in terms of understanding the intricacies of growing an audience for the various shows from the ground up. He emphasizes the vital role that social media and marketing play in this dynamic and ever-evolving landscape.
The producer remains committed to constantly expanding his skills to enhance and develop podcasts from the ground up. His focus extends beyond mere podcast growth, aiming to cultivate vibrant communities through their content, enabling people to actively engage and share their unique stories.
“I think there needs to be a good dynamic between being entertaining and being educational. So, then you can laugh and have fun and feel like you’re a part of the conversation. But then also, after the hour, however long the podcast is, you can feel like you can actually take away something from the episode and apply it to your own life.”
Big Night Media currently manages and produces a diverse portfolio of 13 shows under HRLY’s production. This remarkable lineup spans the entire spectrum of entertainment, featuring sports-oriented programs like “Eat the Damn Cake” and “B Fit,” each thoughtfully dedicated to themes of body positivity and fitness guidance. In the realm of music, “Music You’re Missing” takes listeners on a profound journey into the world of musical entertainment and exploration. For avid fans of the Boston Celtics, “Banner Banter” offers a unique insight, while “Wicked Fast” dives headfirst into the thrilling world of NASCAR. “Bettor In Laws” explores the intricate world of sports betting, providing valuable insights into football games. Furthermore, they offer relatable companions for daily life experiences with shows like “Drinks After Work” and “Thirty, Flirty, Surviving.” On a more introspective note, the podcast “A Change to Strive” is dedicated to promoting mental and emotional well-being, adding depth and meaning to their rich podcasting portfolio.
More recently, Big Night Media has also forged partnerships with local influencers and public figures, leveraging their reach to connect with a wider and more diverse audience. This collaborative approach not only enhances their brand visibility but also allows them to tap into the unique perspectives and fan bases of these influencers and figures.
“It’s been exciting for Big Night Media to join forces with local influencers and creators like Alaina Pinto, Chance Strive, and Kevin Cooney. It’s been encouraging to help them continue to grow their brands with creative insight, high quality production, and valuable relationships with brands and VIPs.”
The producer’s commitment to this project radiates through the conversation and is mirrored in the outstanding results of the shows under his production. He expresses his anticipation for the next phases of this venture, with particular excitement surrounding one of Big Night Media’s latest undertakings, the impending completion of a brand-new recording studio adjacent to TD Garden.
“It’s actually a very exciting time for Big Night Media because currently we’re recording out of our office, our like corporate office in the Seaport. But in about 3 or 4 weeks, they have been building a new studio over by Big Night Live, and I think that’s going to put a lot of eyes on us, both literally and figuratively. It has window glass that looks out on the TD Garden concourse, right behind the escalators that they have there. And then I just think once you establish that kind of image, you’re in real talks of good sponsorships and good guests.”
“I think that’s going to be really exciting, and I’m hoping that our in-house shows can basically reap the benefits of all that soon because they’ve been putting in a lot of hard work over the past three years, just kind of grinding it out every single week.”
“It’s also going to be really exciting building all these relationships with these huge, huge celebrities and influencers just by having this room. Now because you’re so conveniently close to Big Night Live, you can also give any artist that is coming through to the venue access to produce. It doesn’t even have to be a podcast, but they can just produce content if they want to promote something like an album, a tour, or a release or anything. Just pop downstairs, record some fun videos with us, and we’ll send them your way.”
Peter Hurley stands amidst the dynamic community of dedicated artists who enrich Boston’s bustling cultural scene. His life experiences have provided him with the tools to become the professional he is now. His contributions to Big Night Media, coupled with his captivating role as a DJ, set him apart in the thriving creative landscape of the city.
As parting gifts, Hurley offers us two valuable insights. First, he shares a thoughtfully curated list of “fire alarm songs” – tracks that he employs to revive the club atmosphere during his DJ sets when needed, and also have the ability to reignite any party. This eclectic selection includes timeless classics like “Dancing Queen” and “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” by Abba, “P.I.M.P.” by 50 Cent, “Empire State of Mind” by Alicia Keys, and “Ride Wit Me” by Nelly.
Additionally, he imparts wisdom and advice, not only to fellow producers and content creators but to anyone embarking on a creative journey, saying:
“Be authentically yourself. It’s going to sound so cookie-cutter, but yeah, be yourself, because if you play a character, it’s going to get exhausting. And just be engaged with your community. If people are following you, it’s for a reason; they appreciate the things that you’re doing. And if someone shouts you out, give them your time. Don’t sit on this pedestal and think that you’re better than everybody. You are growing with the community that you’re building.”
Learn more about Big Night Media here!
Follow HRLY on Instagram here!
Follow Big Night Media on Instagram here!
