June McDoom Makes Folk Music With the Bass Turned Up

In the vibrant music scene of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, singer-songwriter June McDoom has crafted a distinctive sound that intertwines the rich bass culture of Jamaican dub with the introspective qualities of folk music. Her debut album, Follow the Light, released after a 2022 self-titled EP, marks a significant evolution in her artistic journey, reflecting both her heritage and her personal musical discoveries.

Alyssa McDoom, known professionally as June McDoom, grew up in Florida in a household steeped in Jamaican musical traditions. Her parents, immigrants from Jamaica, surrounded her with reggae and rock steady records, while her father’s carpentry skills extended into building speaker boxes and DJ setups that filled their home with powerful sound. This environment instilled in her a deep appreciation for the texture and recording techniques that define the Jamaican soundscape.

Despite her familial roots in Jamaican music, McDoom initially found her own musical community later in life, gravitating toward folk music influences she encountered independently during her school years and college education. It was through artists like Joni Mitchell and Judee Sill that she began exploring harmonies and songwriting styles that diverged from the reggae rhythms of her upbringing. This duality of influence laid the groundwork for the genre fusion that characterizes her debut album.

After graduating from a New York music program with a focus on jazz voice in 2019, McDoom started producing and recording her own material with her partner, Evan Wright. Together, they developed a hands-on approach to production that embraces imperfection and analog warmth, employing both tape machines and digital effects to create textured soundscapes. Their studio in Brooklyn reflects a blend of vintage gear and modern technology, highlighting their commitment to sonic experimentation.

Follow the Light is the result of a deliberate and reflective songwriting process, where McDoom placed significant emphasis on lyrical intentionality. Moving beyond the spontaneous excitement of her earlier work, she refined her lyrics to express themes of self-discovery, belonging, and personal boundaries. For instance, the track "Get Out of My Life" addresses the relief found in releasing toxic relationships, while "Without You" serves as a heartfelt tribute to love’s essential role.

The album also features collaborations that connect McDoom to her familial and cultural lineage. On the song "Grandpa," she incorporates the musicianship of her grandfather, a practitioner of mento—a traditional Jamaican folk form—thereby weaving her personal history directly into her music. This collaboration was facilitated remotely, with recordings exchanged digitally, underscoring the contemporary methods behind a deeply rooted artistic expression.

Musically, the album navigates between reggae grooves and atmospheric folk arrangements. McDoom’s approach to texture involves careful choices about instrument tones, reverb, and recording methods, aiming to balance the organic and the ethereal. This nuanced sound reflects her ongoing fascination with the interplay between analog warmth and digital clarity.

Throughout the creative process, McDoom wrestled with the challenge of honoring underground artists who inspired her—many of whom balanced music with other life commitments and had modest commercial success. This awareness informed her desire to maintain authenticity and resist over-polishing her work. At the same time, she embraced growth and evolution, seeking to expand her musical identity without abandoning the handmade aesthetic established in her earlier releases.

As the album came together, McDoom recognized its overarching message of guidance and resilience, symbolized in the title track’s imagery of following a light through darkness. This metaphor resonates personally and offers listeners a source of encouragement amid life's challenges. The record stands as both an homage to her diverse influences and a statement of her own emerging voice within the contemporary folk and indie music landscapes.

June McDoom’s Follow the Light exemplifies a thoughtful integration of cultural heritage and individual artistry, demonstrating how traditional sounds can be reimagined through modern sensibilities. With a focus on texture, lyrical depth, and heartfelt collaboration, McDoom has established herself as an artist navigating complex identities and musical boundaries, inviting listeners to explore the nuanced spaces between genres.