Q&A: Meet ‘june,’ the Divine Muse Behind DE’WAYNE’s Most Honest Album Yet
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SHEVON GREENE ☆
Photo by Shai Paul
DE’WAYNE DIDN’T JUST WRITE AN ALBUM — he summoned a version of himself the world hasn’t met yet. With june, the Houston-born, LA-based rocker sheds past personas and steps fully into his most honest self. More than just a record, june is a character—what DE’WAYNE calls the embodiment of divine femininity—coming from themes of love, truth, vulnerability, and self-discovery. His third studio album, june, arrives July 30 via Fearless Records.
This marks a bold new chapter for DE’WAYNE, driven by clarity, intention, and spiritual depth. Influenced by artists like Prince and Talking Heads, june is both a sonic evolution and a personal reckoning—shaped by plant medicine, creative trust, and a new understanding of softness as a superpower.
Alongside the album, DE’WAYNE will hit the road with Red Leather and take the stage at the Vans Warped Tour’s return in Long Beach this July.
The Luna Collective caught up with DE’WAYNE to talk about his transformation, the making of june, and what it means to lead with heart. Read below to learn more.
Photo by Shai Paul
LUNA: You've described june as your epic rock love album, touching on love, spirituality, and truth. Can you walk us through the moment or experience that sparked the creation of the album?
DE’WAYNE: It was around the end of 2022. I was tired of the space I was in musically. A friend introduced me to some artists—Marvin Gaye, Parliament Funkadelic, Prince, Lenny Kravitz—and I started diving into funk rock, really studying and practicing. Around the same time, I started doing ceremonies with family and friends using plant medicine. It opened my heart even more and gave me a new outlook. I’ve always led with my heart, but this made me realize I want to use love as a superpower, especially as a man in rock. That’s when this june persona came to me—a version of myself rooted in love and truth.
LUNA: You’ve said artists like Talking Heads and Prince inspired this record. How did their influence shape your sound, and how did you make it your own?
DE’WAYNE: Talking Heads made punk sound worldly and sophisticated. David Byrne’s voice gave me confidence because I don’t have a traditional voice, but I realized style and message matter more. Prince is the most talented artist of all time to me—his work ethic, soul, pop, funk. I took those influences and blended them into my own version of soulful rock and roll. This music feels like me more than anything I’ve made before.
LUNA: The album centers on a persona named June. Is she based on a real person, a combination of people, or a symbolic figure?
DE’WAYNE: She represents divine feminine energy—love in all forms: romantic, friendship, and especially maternal. My mom kept showing up at those ceremonies. June is a combination of the love I’ve felt from women in my life. I’m surrendering to her. She teaches me—even when it’s painful—and I’m grateful for that.
LUNA: You explored your femininity while making this record. How did that affect your personal growth and artistry?
DE’WAYNE: It’s changed how I dress, how I sing, how I listen. I’ve become more present with the women in my life—really hearing them, really seeing them. I think that’s bled into my lyrics too. Singing about love and vulnerability now feels powerful and sexy, not weak. I want to be honest and show that emotion is strength.
LUNA: You’ve even said that vulnerability is a superpower. Was there a moment during the making of june where leaning into that vulnerability led to a breakthrough?
DE’WAYNE: It wasn’t just one moment—it was the whole process. I stopped avoiding hard truths and started singing them straight. That shift made every lyric on the album feel more real and more honest.
LUNA: The album carries both confidence and tenderness. How do you balance those in your performances?
DE’WAYNE: It’s something I’m figuring out. Touring soon will test that, but I’m excited. In my personal life, people are noticing the shift—even if it’s a little embarrassing. But I think they can feel the growth, and I’m proud of that.
Photo by Shai Paul
LUNA: Dylan Bauld and Brandon Colbein were key collaborators. What was the creative process like with them?
DE’WAYNE: They’re my best friends now. Dylan would bring these beautiful guitar riffs, and Brandon is a melody genius. I’d come in with a concept or a word—like “biological” or “highway robbery”—and we’d build it from there. We also brought in friends to play drums, keys, and background vocals. It gave the record depth and made it feel alive.
LUNA: I recently saw a photo of you and Lenny Kravitz. What's the story there?
DE’WAYNE: Lenny’s my hero. He saw the video for “highway robbery,” commented, followed me, and then called me. Now we talk twice a week. I’m actually heading to the Bahamas tomorrow to finish a song with him. It’s surreal, but he’s embraced me, and that means everything.
LUNA: How does june differ from STAINS or My Favorite Blue Jeans?
DE’WAYNE: Artist development. I had no vision on those records—I just screamed over whatever my producer gave me. This time, I led the vision. I know who I am now, and the music reflects that. I wanted people to hear my voice and understand the lyrics. It’s intentional.
LUNA: The “june” video is bold and expressive. What role does visual storytelling play in your music?
DE’WAYNE: It’s huge. I want to bring back a visual style that inspires. I was also inspired by Eddie Murphy’s “Party All the Time” video. I love performing—I’ve always been a performer. So showing that side of me, fully confident, is important.
LUNA: You're touring with Red Leather soon. What can fans expect, and how will you bring june to the stage?
DE’WAYNE: A rock and roll show with heart. I want people to feel love—romantic love, self-love, spiritual love. Red Leather’s music is powerful, and I think together we’ll bring something meaningful to every stage.
LUNA: With performances at major festivals like The Governors Ball and Lollapalooza, how have those shaped your connection to new audiences?
DE’WAYNE: I love surprising people. At those festivals, I was on the main stage, and I wanted to prove I belonged. Being a Black rock artist still feels rare, so I show up and give everything. That’s how I connect—by being undeniable.
LUNA: You've hinted at expanding the june narrative. Any plans to bring her into film, art, or other mediums?
DE’WAYNE: Absolutely. I’m already acting, but I want to create a show—something like “Adventure Time” meets “Midnight Gospel.” I see june as a strong character who can live beyond the album.
LUNA: Looking back on your journey, what personal lessons have you learned?
DE’WAYNE: Just to keep going. After [My Favorite] Blue Jeans, my former manager told me I was like a great rookie on a bad team. It hit hard, but I took that and worked harder. I started doing plant medicine, prioritizing my family, and leading with love. Music and life go hand in hand for me—and I want to keep that trajectory.
Photo by Shai Paul
