Jungol

Jungol Press - Various

THERE ARE BANDS THAT FIND THEIR NICHE in the local music
scene, and then there are bands that create one of their own. Jungol is an
example o the latter, having forged their own path in Atlanta and beyond. Since
the inception of Jungol ten years ago, the band has steadily created a buzz by
consistently making solid music that garnered the attention through word of
mouth, gleaned acknowledgement and attracted a strong, devoted fanbase.
With an impressive following, including many of the fellow musicians in the
city, Jungol’s reputation grew organically.
Much of the respect for Jungol by the Atlanta music community comes from
the sheer originality of their songwriting, as well as their impressive technicallyskilled
experimental style. All this is created by only three men through a variety
of instruments, including drums, guitars, bass, synth, keyboards, synth bass,
glockenspiel, and live samples. The guys are grateful for the support they’ve
received from fans and other musicians, saying, “It certainly is humbling to have
the support of our musical peers there at the shows. Supporting local music is a
really important thing to us. The scene is full of so many talented people and we’ve
been fortunate enough to have formed some amazing friendships with a lot of the
bands in Atlanta. We’ve never really taken too long of a break since we’ve started
and think that’s shown people that we aren’t going away.”
The group, including brothers Josh (bass, lead vox, synth, keys, guitar) and
Graham (guitar, vocals, sampler) Yoder and Jason Monseur (drums, percussion)
have become an influential musical entity in Atlanta, even after averting any
one niche, mostly by embracing the movement of their sound in compelling new
directions and placing attention on both unconventional, electronic sounds, as
well as raw, simplistic elements. Though the band has never been able to fit in
with any specific music scene, they see a common thread between their sound and
that found in the current wave of indie music. Emphasizing the trend of electronic
elements in newer music, Jungol explains, “There is the electronic aspect of our
music that I feel is a real prevalent thing these days with indie music. Actually,
music in all scenes and genres, pop or not are embracing electronic music in new
ways. There’s also a whole new wave of bands out to make people dance. That has
always been something that has underlined what we do as well. Funk music is the
real backbone to what we do. And it’s great seeing bands explore dance music in
new ways. Other than the electronic element, I’m not sure where we fit exactly.”
Jungol’s sound is drawn from various eclectic musical influences, as well as
inspired by films. Growing up in the ‘90s, the guys were heavily influenced by the
music of that time, including Primus and Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as music
outside of that generation, such as P-Funk, Miles Davis, Frank Zappa and King
Crimson. More current influences include St. Vincent, David Bowie’s Outside,
Fever Ray, John Kaada, Animal Collective, Mike Patton, Squarepusher, Prefuse
73, Erykah Badu, and of course Bjork. Josh likens musical influences to a crush on
a girl, stating “Everything we get into seems to influence our musical direction in
some way. It’s just hard for us not to be affected. Discovering something new and
exciting is like meeting an amazingly beautiful and clever girl for the first time.
I just feel compelled to want to know everything I can about her. That discovery
of new music is always inspirational within itself.” Josh describes the inspiration
he also finds through films. Bladerunner along with the works of David Lynch
have directly influenced the songs on their newest album. According to Josh,
“[David Lynch] movies have always been a sort of portal back into my dreams.
I love how Lynch can evoke such deranged and intense emotions from one simple
scene. I guess I wish I could just do the same with a song.”
The realization of the newest album, Over the Sun and Under the Radar, came
after having lost fellow band member Zack Varner last year. The release of their
last album, Places, marked the last time the band would include Varner, and
without getting used to playing as a three-piece, the band hit the road touring in
support of Places. Of taking off on tour with no transition, Jungol says, “Getting
thrown into that situation so quickly was really the best thing for us. The reality
of becoming a three piece actually wasn’t too foreign to us. Josh and I had played
that way all throughout high school with different drummers. And Jason has been
with us for nearly 6 years, so our musical bond was stronger than ever. Our sound definitely changed when Zack left the band, but it was something we were ready
to embrace. All in all we are a band who embraces change and we thrive off the
struggle it might bring.” It was on tour that year that most of the songs from their
2010 release, Over the Sun and Under the Radar (OTSAUTR) were written.
The title of the new album “refers to the idea of reaching out beyond your
limitations while trying to remain honest in your actions,” divulges Josh. The
theme of the record revolves around leading double lives, schizophrenia, as well
as the energy of progress and change. Jungol elaborates, “There’s actually a loose
story that runs throughout the album. I’m not going to get detailed at all about it
because that’s just one perspective. I’d prefer people to connect the dots in their
own way and paint their own pictures of the songs in their heads. At the core, it’s
just a classic good vs. evil story.” The band clarifies on the concept of inevitable
change, “That’s something that’s hard for us to escape, since we are sort of
obsessed with the creative process and the idea of always trying to move forward.
It just seems pointless and almost rude to have the gift of making music but not
embracing the creative process to its fullest. I’d hate to stay in one place and just
repeat myself over and over again.”
Over the Sun and Under the Radar deviates from the prog-like, complex note
arrangements on Places. An electronic essence was merely touched upon on the
last album, whereas OTSAUTR is heavily influenced by electronic music, and
the band’s focus shifts to emphasizing vocal melodies, texture, and unconventional
sounds. Describing the evolution of the band’s sound since 2009’s
Places, Jungol reveals, “We still love incorporating odd time signatures and
unconventional arrangements but it’s just become more interesting to simplify
certain elements and allow the raw emotion of the songs to really shine through.”
Graham created samples of car keys, birds, water and other ambient sounds to
work into sections of the album.
You won’t find any real strings, piano, or horns on OTSAUTR, and instead
of using a real bass, many of the songs feature Josh on the synth bass. Josh
commented on the new dynamic in the band, which led to the fresh sound on
the new record, “I’ve gotten really into using synth bass and nasty unconventional
synth sounds instead of a real bass. I’m also doing double duty on some
tunes, playing keys while playing real bass. Graham also has double duty these
days, incorporating a sampler into several songs. This change in roles has really
opened up a lot of doors for us, and at this point we feel incredibly comfortable
getting all of these different sounds out there as a three-piece.”
This year, the band hopes to leave behind their DIY style of functioning as
they search for a good fit in the industry. The band is set to hit the road again in
support of OTSAUTR, and this tour will add to the four east coast tours and
one tour out to California already under their belt.
“We are really pumped about the new visual ideas for the upcoming tour.
We have a really good relationship with our audience, some people dance their
asses off, and some people just take in the sights and sounds. I have seen some
folks mosh, too. I think everyone can have a unique experience. We just feel very
blessed that our music is connecting with people and that people feel free to
enjoy it however they want.” - Performer Magazine