June Divided

Interview with Melissa from June Divided

Interview conducted on Feb, 26 2019

by Dan Locke

Philadelphia-based indie rock band, June Divided, has released a brand new remix for their single, “I Didn’t Mind.” The track, which is the last release of Revival Recordings 2018 campaign Revival 52, is the third single the band has released off Party Wars, a companion album full of remixes and renditions of the songs off their debut album Body Wars. The accompanying stream video for the “I Didn’t Mind” remix is now available on the Revival Recordings YouTube channel.

When discussing the re-imagining of the track, vocalist Melissa Menago stated, “The I Didn’t Mind Remix was a fun one to do. It’s already an upbeat, electronic kind of song, so Chris and I added piano and even changed up some chords here and there to give the remix new life.”

Dan Locke: Melissa, tell me about your backgrounds?

Melissa Menago: I grew up in Wilmington, DE, where I went to a performing arts high school. I was always obsessed with music. My parents put me in piano lessons when I was around 10, when they caught me teaching myself how to read music with a hand-me-down book from an older friend. I picked up the guitar around 11 or 12. My dad plays guitar, so music was always in my house. I grew up with a lot of classic rock. I studied music throughout college.

Melissa, how did you and Chris meet?

We met in college, freshman year. We were both studying as Music Industry Tech majors at Drexel. He was great at the technology side of things, and I was doing well in the writing/production classes so we teamed up, and learned a ton from each other. He’s been my creative partner and bestest bud ever since. He also makes a phenomenal chili.

Why did you go to craigslist to find your drummer?

It was, in all honesty, just on a drunken whim. JD originally just started out as a college project. Almost a year after graduation, our old bassist from college (who still makes an on-stage appearance with us from time to time), suggested that we should be a real band one night when he, Chris and I were hanging out. Then we all joked we should use Craigslist to find a drummer. We laughed. But the next day I woke up, and actually put an ad out because I thought to myself “that’d be funny if it worked”… and then it did. A few weeks later, Keith came into our lives and suddenly, we were a band.

June Divided

What type of people showed up to be part of your band?

We never had auditions, but the Craigslist responses before Keith’s were interesting, but definitely not what we were looking for. When we got Keith’s response, we knew he seemed like a good fit. As it turned out, he was our age, had the same tastes in music, lived close by and had a practice space. We met, we clicked, and we saw what a brilliant musician he was. As it turned out, he was desperately looking for the right people to play with too, so we came into each other’s lives at the right moment and it was perfect.

How did you get your bands name?

As I mentioned before, it was a college project. We were graduating in June and we felt like there was suddenly a rift in our lives. When we met Keith and actually started the band, he suggested we just keep the name.

How do you describe your band?

We have influences everywhere and we’re always experimenting, but while there’s a little of indie pop in there, I think there will always be a rock element to us as well.

You are based out of Philly. How is the music scene there? I know it a lot more then Hall and Oats?

A lot of bands have come out of Philly, in all genres. The music scene is unique here, but as diverse as it is, it’s incredibly supportive. One time my guitar got lost after a tour, and that guitar means a lot to me. I figured it was definitely a goner, but I did a social media post about it just in case. It ended up getting shared so many times by members of our local scene that the guitar was returned to me within days. Definitely a caring kind of scene. Musicians go to each other’s shows too- that’s cool and I know that doesn’t always happen in every city, but it’s definitely a thing here.

Melissa how is your solo career coming?

My solo career is on the backburner for JD, which is my first love, hah. That solo record was a fun project- the label approached me and next thing I knew I had a solo record. It was a cool experience. I’d like to do another solo record on my own terms, at some point, but for now, I’m focused on other projects.

I just fell in love with your version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. A bit of a jazz version.

Thanks! My favorite cover on that album was actually the other medley of Can’t Help Falling In Love/Somewhere Beyond the Sea.

How was it to perform on Philly “The Q” on Fox, compare to doing acoustic on NBC 10? What did you have to do to prepare for the each gig the day of the show?

Live TV is scary but fun. You usually have to get up early.

Last year you played the Ladybug Fest. Any plans this year to play any more fest?

We’re in the process of booking but we always announce our shows on our social media.

You did the Vans Warped Tour back in 2012. How is your feeling that this year is the last year for the tour?

Oh man, our Warped Tour days were so long ago! Things change though (our band definitely did!)… people are bummed it’s over, and I get it. It was definitely an iconic part of music culture.

How did you get your new label Revival Recordings?

They saw us play at Launch Music Conference in Lancaster, PA.

Who influences you and why?

We’ve all been Mutemath fans for years and years. They’re my favorite. As a songwriter, I loved Jimmy Eat World as a kid, but right now, I’m listening to everything from Phantogram to Cold War Kids to Chvrches to Joywave. The guys have their own tastes as well, so we have a ton of influences, collectively.

What genre of music are you?

I don’t know. Rock/pop/indie/something

What are some of the bands you have shared the stage with?

Twenty One Pilots, Walk The Moon, Tegan and Sara, The Pretty Reckless, Rise Against, Matt and Kim, Against the Current, Further Seems Forever… there’s probably more.

What type of clubs/places do you like to play in (size)?

Any of them.

What music fests would you like to play in?

All of them.

Tell me about any endorsements you have and may how do got them?

Ernie Ball, we won a contest. Future Sonics is a local company so we connected that way.

What year make and model of guitar do you own?

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