Q&A: Until June

As part of the Hennessy Artistry: The Global Art Of Mixing series, LA-based rock outfit Until June are all set to hit Kuala Lumpur at the end of this month! If you haven't head of the band yet, you will soon. Formed in 2001, it can be said that this is a band that knows the real meaning of the word 'preserverance'. The band faced obstacle after obstacle in the music industry, including a number of band member changes, before getting signed in 2005. Their self-titled debut album, produced by Brian Garcia (Kelly Clarkson, Our Lady Peace), was subsequently released in April 2007 - putting Until June firmly in its place on the musical up and coming list. Critics liken their sound to the piano-based rock of Keane, Coldplay and Ben Folds Five, but Until June answer for themselves in a phone interview with KLue. We speak to drummer Daniel Dempsey about what it's been like for them so far.

We heard you guys named your band Until June in honour of the deadline you had set for yourselves to make it big. Now that you have, what other deadlines are on your plate?

We're always setting deadlines of one sort or another, lately concerning writing new material mostly. There are certain deadlines we have, but we're not thinking too much about them now.

What has been the biggest change since getting signed to a major record label and releasing your own album?

It's been very different from what we expected. It's been slow and lots of hard work, and at times very frustrating and alienating. I think it's matured us quickly, and our music has become more serious because our lives have become more serious. It's different from just playing in a band when you're young.

Your single "What I've Done" was featured on Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. Some say getting your song on a TV show is more important nowadays than getting it on the radio. What are your thoughts on that?

I would have to disagree... It certainly is very important and we're very grateful to be on the show. It was a tremendous boom for us, but radio is still king.

Word on the street is you'll also be featured in Guitar Hero 4. Is that one of the ways you guys like to kick back and relax on tour?

Guitar Hero is great, but none of us are really big video game guys. For me personally, I like to read and write while I'm on tour. Dan is a big photographer so he takes a lot of pictures, and Josh is a great listener. So we've just fallen into other ways of spending our time on tour.

Who in the band has the most annoying habit?

Probably me, but I'm not comfortable disclosing that information!

It seems Until June has experienced first hand how tough getting into the music industry can be - how do you guys plan to give the band longevity?

First and foremost by maintaining the relationship between the three of us [Dempsey and brothers Josh and Dan Ballard]. Artistically, we'll keep listening to music and writing... Music for us has always been recreational. We just get together and bash some songs out. It's always been a lot of fun. So hopefully it will keep that way, and that will lend itself to longevity.

You'll be touring in Asia soon - is playing to an audience who hasn't heard much of your stuff a different experience?

New audiences are more eager and fun to play for. Old audiences have expectations; they know whether you're good or not good; they know what the songs sound like. With new audiences, its a clean slate.

Which of the songs from your debut album is Until June most proud of?

Probably "Sleepless", because of all the wonderful attention and acclaim its garnered for us. And we wrote it quickly. We just tend to jam, and for whatever reason we can sense when we've found something we like. For me it's a physical sensation, like tasting good food.

Has the band had many sleepless nights lately?

Oh yeah, all the time unfortunately. That's one of my main challenges.

What would you be doing if you weren't in the band?

I'd probably just be in some other band! It's pretty much life or death for me.

Wow, now that's what we call dedication.

Until June will be playing on 27 September, alongside UK artist Shane Ward and hip-hop trio The DEY. Visit www.hennessyartistry.com.my to get yourself on the guestlist.

Meanwhile, you can check out the band for yourself by clicking on the YouTube video below.

Text Michelle Yeo