Today we’d like to introduce you to June Clivas.
June, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started with a little girl at the age of two. Her Cowboy hat, her plastic guitar, and a microphone.
I was told that at a young age, I would like to entertain the family by modeling, dancing, and singing for the family. Just like every other kid. (funny to me because I was a shy person) As I grew older music was always a huge part of everything I was. Music always brought out every emotion I ever felt. Anger, Happiness, loneliness, in love. I always felt that every instrument in a song brought out every emotion I felt at the time of listening to a certain song. I grew up with a lot of oldies because of my dad. We all know oldies definitely have all the right feels, all the time!. As I got older I listened to a lot of other stuff from rock to R&B, Hip hop, to Punk. Nonetheless, it all made me feel something,
My uncle, who is our Banjo player bought me my first guitar at 15. Boy, was I in love. I had no idea how to play her, but we were inseparable. The guitar came with me to school, until I fell asleep and wake up next to it again the next day and do it all over again. I played day and night. As years went by, every instrument that passed my way I would learn to play (except the violin, not because I don’t want to, but it is the only instrument that truly challenged me. I was never too fond of playing other bands’ music. I mean, I would learn if I really liked a song, but I write majority of the songs, even if then I only knew but 3-4 chords. Soon after high school I taught a couple of girlfriends how to play their instruments and started my first all-girl rock band, Stella. Anywho, after years and years of failed bands, I was previously in (all rock bands), I decided one day to start a genre I have never played before, and create a name that no one knew of.
So, I came out with the name June Clivas for myself. I had asked my uncle Manuel to join forces with me on this new adventure. He taught himself to play the banjo and jumped aboard. I wanted to do an American type genre. That’s where “Ditty” comes in. The songs we wrote were short and simple. We had gone through numerous of other musicians to find the right candidates to join forces with us. With Johnny Dynomite, our lead guitarist, Manjo our banjo player, Papa Brent our drummer, and Zach Rabbit our upright bass player together we are “June Clivas and the Ditty Boys”. Through the transition of members, the music evolved as well. There was no way I could ever escape that Rock n Roll feeling in my veins. We are an outlaw country Rock band. Why outlaw? because there is never any rules.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No way. Struggles along the road has been trying to find the right fit to join forces with us. Personalities were an important value. I am a family oriented person, and when I looked for the right people I wanted to make sure they felt the same. I’m, not all business. I like to sit, and see how you are doing, ask how your day was, and have a dinner with you. I Will treat you like family. If one doesn’t fit this category then I’m simply not interested in sharing this business with you.
Of course, most importantly you have to know how to play your instrument and be confident in it. I don’t look for the next musical genius. However, it matters to me how that one note you play brings feeling to the song. After all, this is what made me fall in love in the first place. One simple note can make you feel all the right feels. Because of this, we have had musicians come in and out, which left us struggle to find the right fit, meanwhile playing the shows that had already been booked for. That was tough.
And of course one of the other biggest challenges is being a woman in a man dominating Industry. I have had my share of being undermined, talked over. and questioned. It has got better though. I have learned to roll my sleeves out belch a bit louder lol. I know this is just the beginning and there will be a whole lot more of that coming my way. I am ready though.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
In the band, I write the music/lyrics. I am known for having strong vocal ranges and writing lyrics that others can relate to. What I am proud of is the group that stands next to me. I know that every single musician on my side is there because they want to be there. They believe In June Clivas and the Ditty Boys. The Ditty boys believe in the music, in the ideas, and the vision I have for us in the future. I can’t stress enough to them how thankful and proud that I have these wonderful creative, talented boys next to me, and trust me enough to join forces with me in this journey. What sets us apart from others is that we truly care for each other, we love each others company, we are there for one another, and we are all in the same boat, with the same vision.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up was kind of awkward for me. I never really felt comfortable in my outer shell. I am a gay woman, and growing up as a teen it was forbidden in my family. I remember always thinking Why was I born a girl? I mostly kept to myself because this was not something I could talk to anyone about. While most girls in high school would talk about going to the mall to find that perfect prom dress or how in love they were with their boyfriends or talked about their first kiss, I pretty much always rolled my eyes and thought about what life would be like if one day I could ever feel that free.
other than that, I had always been a kid at heart, joker, and prankster. Till this day I love me a good joke, and I love to pull a good one on my mom.
Tell us about your business/company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
What makes us unique is the sound we deliver. We aren’t of any particular genre, but fall closely under the familiar ears of rock n roll rockabilly and country. We are that new sound that you been waiting to hear, but dont know exactly what to call it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.juneclivasandthedittyboys.com
- Phone: 6268145024
- Email: [email protected]
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