Hey June!
{{Short description|Filipino rock band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = HEY JUNE!
| image =
| caption =
| origin =
| genre = {{hlist|Indie rock|pop rock|alternative rock}}
| years_active = 2021–present
| label = {{hlist|Island Records|Soupstar Entertainment}}
| current_members = * Jim Mase
- Coey Ballesteros
- Aci Fodra
| past_members = * Earl Paglinawan
| website = [https://soupstar.ph/artist/hey-june/ Official website]
}}
Hey June! (stylized in all caps) is a Filipino indie rock band formed in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Catch Hey June on GMA Playlist this February 18 {{!}} GMA Music |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/music/exclusives/news/85730/catch-hey-june-on-gma-playlist-this-february-18/story/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=www.gmanetwork.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-12-24 |title='Hey June': New band right before 2021 ends |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/24/hey-june-new-band-right-before-2021-ends |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Manila Bulletin}} The band consisted of Jim Mase (vocals/guitar), Coey Ballesteros (bass), and Aci Fodra (drums). The band first gained attention with their debut single "Panahon" (Season), was released in 2022. Their name was inspired by the Beatles' 1968 song "Hey Jude", replacing "Jude" with "June" to mark the month of their formation.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zg_LXOOdys |title=Deep Dive with Hey June! |date=2023-04-21 |last=UMG Philippines |access-date=2025-06-18 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=6 Underrated Local Bands You Need to Add to Your Playlist ASAP! |url=https://www.metroscenemag.com/2023/03/6-underrated-local-bands.html |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Metroscene Mag - For the young, empowered & creative |language=en}}
History
2021–2022: Formation and "Panahon"
Hey June! was formed in June 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-24 |title=New band ‘HEY JUNE!’ launches right before 2021 ends |url=https://pop.inquirer.net/117552/hey-june-new-band-right-before-2021-ends |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Inquirer Pop}} The band was initiated by Earl Paglinawan and Jim Mase, after leaving a corporate job and was actively looking for bandmates.{{Cite web |last=Lozare |first=Alexa |title=Strangers to hitmakers: Meet young OPM band Hey June! |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/strangers-hitmakers-meet-young-opm-band-hey-june/ |website=Rappler |date=2023-06-21 |access-date=2024-06-18}} He approached Darwin Hernandez of Soupstar Music to help find some members, through whom they met bassist Coey Ballesteros (who was a neighbor and brother of Darwin named Herbert Hernandez the guitarist of the bands Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind) and drummer Aci Fodra.{{Cite web |last=Rico |first=Jas |date=2025-01-25 |title=Say Hey to Hey June! |url=https://www.thenewhueph.com/post/say-hey-to-hey-june |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=The New Hue |language=en}}
The band released their debut single "Just A Hit" in late 2021, followed by the single "Panahon" in early 2022.{{Cite web |title=Hey June's time has come with their official release 'Panahon' |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/01/05/hey-junes-time-has-come-with-their-official-release-panahon/ |website=Manila Bulletin |date=2022-01-05 |access-date=2024-06-18}} According to NME, "Panahon" explores themes of timing and emotional reflection. Its accompanying music video was noted for its nostalgic atmosphere and coming-of-age narrative.{{Cite web |title=Filipino indie rockers Hey June! share nostalgic music video for ‘Panahon’ |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/filipino-indie-rockers-hey-june-share-nostalgic-music-video-for-panahon-3155309 |website=NME |date=2022-01-07 |access-date=2024-06-18}} In June, the band released single "Lugar Kung S'an" (A Place Where), written by guitarist Earl Paglinawan.{{Cite web |title=Hey June! takes to their special place with the latest release 'Lugar Kung S'an' |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/6/24/hey-june-takes-to-their-special-place-with-the-latest-release-lugar-kung-san |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Manila Bulletin}}
In October 2022, Hey June! officially signed with Island Records Philippines, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG Philippines).{{Cite web |title=Hey June joins Island Records Philippines |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/9/hey-june-joins-island-records-philippines |website=Manila Bulletin |date=2022-10-09 |access-date=2024-06-18}}
= 2023–present: ''Curiosity Killed the Cat'' =
On November 9, 2023, Hey June! released their debut album Curiosity Killed the Cat under Island Records Philippines.{{Cite web |title=When did HEY JUNE! release Curiosity Killed The Cat? |url=https://genius.com/albums/Hey-june/Curiosity-killed-the-cat/q/release-date |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Genius}} The band released multiple singles including "Sino Mali" (Who is Wrong), "Orasan" (Clock), and "Lasik".{{Cite web |title=Hey June! reveals romantic side in new single ‘Lasik’ |url=https://orangemagazine.ph/2023/hey-june-reveals-romantic-side-in-new-single-lasik/ |website=Orange Magazine |date=2023-10-05 |access-date=2024-06-18}} The album was produced by Eunice Jorge of Gracenote.
The album was included in Billboard Philippines' list of "Top 15 Albums and EPs of 2023".{{Cite web |title=The Top 15 Albums and EPs of 2023: Billboard Philippines Staff Picks |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/editorial-picks/best-of/the-top-15-albums-and-eps-of-2023-billboard-philippines-staff-picks/ |website=Billboard Philippines |date=2023-12-28 |access-date=2024-06-18}} The band gained wider recognition after winning the People's Voice Award for Breakthrough Artist at the 36th Awit Awards.{{Cite web |last=Galang |first=Jelou |title=Feeling drained, confused, or curious? Filipino band Hey June! has a song for you |url=https://www.scoutmag.ph/75529/hey-june-band-scout-backstag |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=scoutmag.ph}} They were also nominated for Best Performance by a Group and Best Alternative Recording for "Sino Mali".{{Cite web |title=Hey June! Artist Profile |url=https://soupstar.ph/artist/hey-june/ |website=Soupstar Music |access-date=2024-06-18}}
Hey June! embarked on an active series of live performances across Metro Manila in 2025 to promote their album. On April 5, they performed at the iconic UP Fair: REV Music Festival held at the UP Sunken Garden, sharing the stage with major acts such as Imago and Gracenote.{{Cite web |title=HEY JUNE! @ U.P. Sunken Garden |url=https://www.bandsintown.com/e/106614520-6cyclemind-at-u.p.-sunken-garden |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Bandsintown |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Philippines Star – X |url=https://x.com/PhilippineStar/status/1906991911250051111? |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=X}} On May 8, the band performed at Hardstop Productions' held at Imajin in Marikina City. The event featured a lineup of emerging independent acts, including 12th Street, ischi, Eliza Maturan, Kenaniah, and SHANNi.{{Cite web |last=Go |first=Mayks |date=2025-04-30 |title=A List Of Gigs In Manila This May 2025 |url=https://billboardphilippines.com/music/features/a-guide-to-gigs-happening-in-manila-this-may-2025-tickets/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Billboard Philippines |language=en-US}}
In June 2025, the band headlined the Malaya Music Fest 2k25 at Okada Manila, sharing the stage with acts such as Kamikazee, Sandwich, Silent Sanctuary, and Earl Agustin, in celebration of the festival's 5th anniversary.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-12 |title=Okada Manila celebrates 5 years of music at Malaya Music Fest |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/12/tmt-newswire/okada-manila-celebrates-5-years-of-music-at-malaya-music-fest/2131354 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}
Members
Current members
- James "Jim" Ligtas Mase – vocals, rhythm guitar, synth
- Chloe "Coey" Ballesteros – bass, backing vocals
- Aci Fodra – drums, backing vocals
Former members
- Earl Andrie P. Paglinawan{{efn|In early 2024, guitarist Earl Paglinawan parted ways of the band. As of now, the band has not released any official statement regarding the reason for his departure.|name=Paglinawan}} – lead guitar (until 2024)
Discography
=Studio albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of studio albums, with release date, label, and format shown ! Title ! Details ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row"|Curiosity Killed the Cat
|
|
|---|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles, with year released shown ! Title ! Year ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row"|"Just A Hit"
| 2021 |
|---|
| scope="row"|"Panahon"
| rowspan="2" | 2022 |
| scope="row"|"Lugar Kung S'an" |
| scope="row"|"Orasan"
| rowspan="2" |2023 |
| scope="row"|"Sino Mali" |
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://soupstar.ph/artist/hey-june/ Official profile at Soupstar Entertainment]
- [https://www.youtube.com/@heyjunemusic HEY JUNE! on YouTube]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hey June!}}
Category:Filipino rock music groups
Category:Filipino indie rock groups