Just Penelope, a trio from Bloomington, Indiana, has made a striking debut with their single “June, July,” delivering a potent surge of grungy indie rock that encapsulates themes of youth, rebellion, and raw authenticity. The song is a fiery introduction that captures the essence of a beautifully chaotic experience.
Listen to: “June, July” – Just Penelope
This release is characterized by an intense, sweaty energy and an unapologetically raw sound, akin to the relentless sting of a sunburn. It possesses an intimate heat—grunge-infused yet tender, blistering yet oddly comforting—creating a sensation of warmth even amidst the burning intensity. Frontwoman Ella Curiel expresses this in her lyrics: “June, July, my shoes untied. I scraped my knee while you’re saving face,” her voice balancing between defiance and submission.
The track is raw and unfiltered, showcasing Just Penelope's confident debut as they prepare to create a significant impact. The group includes Curiel, alongside drummer/vocalist Ethan Cantrell and bassist Drew Goforth, and they emerged from the Jacobs School of Music, sounding as if they've already surpassed their academic origins.
“We felt it was unapologetically in your face, and we sort of like to be perceived that way,” they shared with Atwood Magazine. This confidence shines through each fuzz-laden riff and booming drum beat, skillfully merging indie rock and grunge. It has an authentic, gritty essence—evoking memories of basement gigs and scorching summer nights.
Co-produced by Curiel, Cantrell, and Nathan Allen, “June, July” was recorded with a minimal setup, utilizing few microphones and a low fidelity approach, aligning with its themes of chaos and repercussions. Cantrell adds, “Sometimes, chaos has a certain swagger that makes you forget the consequences of your erratic actions. While recording this song, we committed every effect to the instruments during the input with very few microphones and low-fi techniques.” The drums were captured with just three mics, a choice reflecting the song’s narrative of embracing mistakes without seeking forgiveness.
Listeners can feel that swagger, that inherent chaos in every scraping sound of the track—in the shifting walls of noise, and in Curiel's voice as it strains against limitations. This song doesn’t merely play with imperfection; it truly flourishes within it.
The backstory of “June, July” is as relatable as it is iconic: Curiel clashed with her parents over attending a Wilco concert alone, chose to skateboard instead, and returned home with a scraped knee and a fresh song. That youthful rebelliousness permeates the music, transforming frustration into catharsis and bruises into melody. When she sings about mistakes and a lack of desire for forgiveness, it’s more of a statement than a request. “We wanted to be honest with ourselves that sometimes we do problematic things without remorse in the moment,” the band acknowledges. “We aimed to convey that honesty to our audience in our debut.”
“If I had to pick one thing, it’s the lowball betting, not the odor of my clothes when they were on you.”
“June, July” embodies the essence of youth in all its disheveled splendor: the liberty, the recklessness, the intense desire to speed with the windows down. Just Penelope captures fleeting moments of pain and release, transforming them into something electrifying, fearless, and oddly beautiful. Their debut signals not just the emergence of a new band, but the dawn of a fresh chapter for both indie rock and grunge.
“June, July” is an exhilarating representation of youth and sound—raw, unforgettable, and brimming with a voracious passion for music. It stands as a bold, imperfect, and dynamic first step for a band still carving out their identity, indicating the sincerity and instinct that will shape their future work. Atwood Magazine spoke with the emerging Bloomington trio about their debut single, the chaos and clarity driving their early artistry, and their upcoming endeavors.
Stay tuned for more from this promising artist, and get to know this unfiltered, bold indie rock group in our interview below!
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:: Stream/Purchase “June, July” here ::
:: Connect with Just Penelope here ::
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Listen to: “June, July” – Just Penelope
Just Penelope © 2025
**A CONVERSATION WITH JUST PENELOPE**
Atwood Magazine: For those discovering Just Penelope through this write-up, what would you like them to know about you and your music?
Just Penelope: We are an indie rock band from Bloomington, deeply passionate about music and its creation.
What led to the name “Just Penelope”?
Just Penelope: We were joking around with adjectives and nouns at a local Mediterranean restaurant, and since Ella was really taken with the name “Penelope,” Ethan suggested we couldn't just be “Penelope,"
The debut single “June, July” by Bloomington, Indiana trio Just Penelope is a fierce and intense explosion of gritty indie rock catharsis – a powerful opening that captures the essence of youth, defiance, and unrefined flaws in a stunningly chaotic sound.
