Nicole June is an emerging artist from Philadelphia, PA. She dubs her musical style as “Adventure Pop”, looking to disrupt her typical songwriting instincts by incorporating electronic production into her sound. June’s new single, “Glad I Tried”, combs through her background as a singer-songwriter while experimenting with the sounds of hip-hop and indie rock heard here in Philly.
How has your 2021 been so far?
It’s been like surfing in the outskirts of a hurricane. It’s wave after wave and sometimes you catch a big one and ride it all the way in and it’s totally gnarly. Then sometimes you get absolutely obliterated by a wave that has crashed right smack down on you, hurling you underwater while your foot is tethered to the board that’s still whipping around in the waves and you’re tumbling, tumbling, tumbling. While trying to swim to the surface your board knocks you right in the face but then when you finally wash up ashore you realize that the bruise that you just got on your eye isn’t that bad, so you take a minute to catch your breath and paddle right back out again.
How have you been keeping busy during quarantine?
Creating, of course! I have had so much more time to practice, write and record. Music is on my mind more than ever now. I’ve been spending a lot of time outside on a day to day basis. I have also been playing a lot of Settlers of Catan, which means I have gotten very competitive about it and really pride myself on my ability to trade, build and settle.
What was an album that was on non-stop repeat in 2020?
Voodoo – D’AngeloI swear it’ll never get old. Such an amazing album, with local Philly legend Questlove on drums. I could listen to him drum for the rest of my life even if it was just the simplest back beat. There’s 2 great episodes on Rick Rubin’s podcast, Broken Record, where Questlove dives into how they made Voodoo, and the process is so unique – I highly, highly recommend checking those episodes out. Such a timeless record — I actually just put it on to listen to while answering the rest of these questions. I still hear the sounds of this album teased in new music, like the melody from “Devil’s Pie” being used in the Cisero’s 2019 single “Good To Know”.
Which Philly bands should we be listening to?
Great Time, Archpalatine, Echo Kid and Snacktime come to mind immediately! Agh there are so many great Philly bands! Everyone seems to be hitting a solid creative stride — it’s going to be a riot when we can all play live shows together again.
Which Non-Philly bands should we be listening to?
I’ll refrain from naming ones that are too obvious…coughcoughRadioheadcough… I’ve recently been on a huge Jeff Buckley kick. Such beautiful playing, singing and writing. Absolutely enchanting. You can tell how hard he works but when he performs he just lets it all go and feels truly unbound. His live records are where it’s at. I’m also really digging a fiddle player a friend just showed me called Possessed by Paul James. His music is super transportive and very fun!
What is your favorite Philadelphia-local venue?
I absolutely love the Grape Room. I’ve had some of my best shows around the city there and my lil gang of hoodlums always has fun there too. The sound is great and the staff is awesome — such a good vibe all around. I can’t wait to play there again. I also really love Johnny Brenda’s and hope to play there once the scene re-opens!
What Philadelphia local restaurant should we be supporting?
All of them, especially your corner stores.
When quarantine is over, who do you want to perform with live?
Literally anyone! But I’ve got some friends that I’ve been jamming with these past few months that live in the mountains and it would be great to do some gigs with them. There’s a nice “tribe vibe” happening when we play and I think that would translate well in live shows.
What’s the best thing you’ve binged?
Fleabag by Pheobe Waller-Bridge. My sister and I binged that show while we were quarantining together in South Jersey last April. Every evening we would go on a long bike ride, drink some spiked seltzer, and binge a new show. This was by far the best one. PWB is a fantastic and hilarious writer.
What’s the first public place you want to go to after quarantine?
A concert of course. I would go to see literally anyone at any venue. I don’t care who or where, even if I have to wear phat earplugs all night or drive across the country to get there.
Where should we be donating our dollars to help out our fellow Philadelphians?
The Mama-Tee Community Fridge project. There are several fridges throughout the city that operate on a “take some leave some” basis to help get healthy, nutritious food to communities in need. Follow this link to learn more about Mama Tee and this link to donate to Mama-Tee.
What’s your favorite jawn?
A good jam session with good people. That always soothes the soul.
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