Ol’ June& The Ashburns

Jonas Aschenbrenner: “I happened to hear a song by Ol’ June and was totally blown away by his voice and songwriting. I messaged him via direct message (DM) and casually asked if he’d be interested in collaborating. If we both liked the vibe, great; if not, that was fine, too. I was in the middle of preparing my next instrumental release and sent him a playlist. Then, everything happened pretty quickly. June sent the first sketch (‘What’s Her Name?’) and with his lyrics, melody, and, especially, the amazing harmonies, he delivered exactly what the instrumental was meant for. We immediately realized we were going for the same sound and haven’t stopped working on it since.”

That “sound,” ladies and gentlemen, is what Julian Wilcoxson (AKA Ol’ June) and Jonas Aschenbrenner (AKA Johnny Ashburn) (together, collectively known as newly-minted Ol’ June & The Ashburns) have charismatically coined as The New Vintage.

Thus far, having only released two tracks, “What’s Her Name?” B/W “Can’t Let Go,” at press time both digitally, as well as on super-limited edition and highly-sought after 7-inch vinyl on Cambridge, UK-based LRK Records, Ol’ June & Johnny Ashburn have communicated solely online; technically, not too far off from how J Dilla (FKA Jay Dee) & Madlib communicated, swapped files back-and-forth, and recorded their fabled 2003 album together as Jaylib, Champion Sound… OR how Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, formerly Zooey Deschanel) and Jimmy Tamborello (AKA Dntel) recorded and created their breakout 2003 Indie Rock/Electronic album together as The Postal Service, Give Up, primarily utilizing the US Postal Service as a form of file-sharing transmission… OR how Madlib & M.F. DOOM (AKA DOOM AKA Viktor Vaughn AKA King Geedorah) recorded and separately created their beloved 2004 genre-defining Hip-Hop album, MADVILLAINY, together, of course, as MADVILLAIN… OR Danger Mouse & M.F. DOOM (AKA DANGER DOOM)’s 2005 album, THE MOUSE & THE MASK, which was recorded primarily remotely across The Internet.

Raised by his loving parents (and Gospel music), Cincinnati’s own Julian “Ol’ June” Wilcoxson was heavily influenced by the legendary group The Winans, particularly the voice of Marvin Winans, who still remains influential. With June’s father being a singer himself, he quickly noticed his son’s natural ability to stay “on pitch” and encouraged him to perform. His parents supported June’s early creativity, pushing him to sing in church plays, the choir, and, eventually, purchasing his first instrument – a guitar. Naturally shy, June gravitated toward Hip-Hop culture and began studying the work of R&B legends, like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, which deepened his love for Soul music. While off on his own in college, June began producing music, drawing inspiration from producers such as Kanye West, 9th Wonder, and J Dilla.

As his artistry and beat-craftsmanship further developed, June began refining his sound alongside both local and nationally recognized producers, including collaborators connected to artists like Leon Thomas and Coco Jones. Ol’ June’s voice has been described as “buttery” smooth and he has become known for his witty, emotionally impactful songwriting chops. June has recently partnered with German powerhouse producer, equally skilled musician, and multi-instrumentalist Jonas Aschenbrenner (AKA Johnny Ashburn). Together, with a little help from The Internet, they are crafting a unique sound that blends vintage Soul with modern sensibilities – carving out a lane that is uniquely their own: The New Vintage.

Jonas Aschenbrenner (now also known as Johnny Ashburn) was born and raised in Southern Germany. Music has always been a very important undercurrent running through Jonas’ life from a very young age. From Hip-Hop to Reggae, Soul has always been the foundation of Jonas’ musical infrastructure and, thus, an integral part of his life from the beginning. Jonas is particularly fascinated by the sound, aesthetic, production, and songwriting of music from the 1960s and 70s. A warm, analog sound best conveys Aschenbrenner’s own emotions.

So, with his latest musical project, The Ashburns, Jonas set out to create a small Soul band that was just waiting for a singer as fantastic as Ol’ June. Jonas actively works on various projects; his main instrument is the guitar, and he also plays bass guitar. Aschenbrenner produces his assorted musical projects (including LXNA & The Ashburns, Rathuna & The Ashburns, J.R. Holmes & The Ashburns, Slow Butter, and, of course, Ol’ June & The Ashburns) in his small studio dubbed The Oak Room. Jonas shares, “I love creating something together with others and even though it’s a bit more involved, thankfully, The Internet makes international collaborations possible.”

Ol’ June & The Ashburns deliver timeless Soul with a modern edge. Their new single, “What’s Her Name?,” is a slow-burning groove in 6/8, built on lush instrumentation, warm analog textures, and heartfelt storytelling. Inspired by “the golden era” of Soul, the track captures the mystery of a fleeting moment – the glance of a woman, who lingers in memory long after the night fades. A soulful, cinematic journey for fans of vintage grooves and contemporary Soul alike. Ol’ June & The Ashburns have much more in store for the incredibly unsuspecting Soul music-loving masses this year with additional single releases and even a cross-continental full-length (or two!) planned for later this calendar year.

Written by Matt Horowitz

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