Central Illinois rock band Hotter Than June had its heyday in the aughts, building a catalog, loyal fan base and solid touring circuit until going their separate ways in 2008.
Three years since getting back together as a virtual band, they're ready to release a new 10-track record—appropriately titled Waiting for a Revival—launching Friday, Sept. 26, on streaming platforms.
The same day, frontman Josh Humphries of Bloomington, who has been playing solo acoustic arrangements of Hotter Than June songs in live rooms around town, will do so one last time.
Humphries appears Friday at the Atchison, a newer venue next door to the Station Saloon. Doors open at 6 p.m., with Normal-based singer/songwriter Noah Hutton playing an opening set at 7 p.m.
Humphries is one of a handful of musicians with a platform at the Atchison, which opened a year ago. Owner Phillip Cade, who is also the executive chef for event management dining and hospitality at Illinois State University, hired Normal indie musician and promoter Marcos Mendez to book music for the all-purpose event venue—filling a gap created by Nightshop's closure in Downtown Bloomington late last year.
Waiting for a Revival includes eight singles produced remotely that have been trickled out on Spotify and YouTube over the past two years, plus two new songs.
“We're still doing it all virtual," said Humphries. "We still write and record everything in the comfort of our own homes, and then we send it to Google Drive, and then my bass player, Anthony, puts it all together, and he mixes it and does all the production.”
Humphries said recording remotely has been a lot of trial and error. The band purchased all the recording software and started doing everything themselves. And they recently remastered a few of the earlier singles.
“If you go listen to our first song that we put out, Glass, Water, Pill Swallow, then you listen to the last song that we just put out, Light, there's a huge difference in quality,” Humphries said.
Although Hotter Than June is releasing a new album, Friday's show is Humphries' last hurrah to playing the band's songs live. Humphries said he has been performing solo acoustic shows for a few years and has decided to give up the solo act.
“I'm just done," he said. "I want to be with my band, and if my band can't play, then this is just it. The thing is, that doesn't mean that we're going to stop writing or stop recording.”
Humphries said that this is only the beginning of Hotter Than June and there are already plans for a second album. Although Humphries is leaving behind the solo act, he is beginning a new chapter with a side project called P.O. Box Poets. Humphries will be joined by his friend Josh Crutchfield; this means he will still be performing, but he will now be sharing the stage once more.
“I just thought in my mind, wow, this guy and I could create some amazing harmonies,” Humphries said about Crutchfield. “We may play some covers, just to kind of fill some gaps, but will primarily be an original acoustic duo.”
Even though Humphries has started all these new endeavors, he said it is not about the money or potential fame anymore; he just wants to share his songs with the world.
Josh Humphries of Hotter Than June plays Friday, Sept. 26, at the Atchison, 1611 Morrissey Drive in Bloomington. Tickets are $5 online in advance or $8 at the door. And in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, 20%of all proceeds benefit the national nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms. Bloomington-Normal brand Stay Another Day has a swag giveaway for those who buy tickets in advance.
Hotter than June's new record, Waiting for a Revival, drops Sept. 26 on all streaming platforms. And P.O. Box Poets is already on Facebook and Instagram.
