Middletown, Ohio Event

Limited tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/july-for-kings-acoustic-performance-music-video-premiere-fundraiser-tickets-1090311845079

An Intimate Evening with July For Kings
December 29th at West Central Wine, Middletown, OH
On sale Monday, Nov 25 at 12:00pm ET

Join us for an unforgettable evening with July For Kings at West Central Wine as we share new songs and premiere a new music video. Your attendance will help fund new July For Kings music while also supporting several Middletown-based charities. This small gathering brings us back to Central Avenue, the very street where July For Kings played their first shows in a coffee house just steps away. Now, many years later we’re creating another intimate evening where music, friendship, and community come together once again. We’ll be performing new material from our upcoming album alongside fan favorites, all in an unplugged, personal setting. For those who cannot attend we’ll offer a free livestream of the performance. We’re excited to share this music with you and grateful for your continued support.


July For Kings Back in the Studio

CINCINNATI, OH — Alternative rock band July For Kings, known for their powerful melodies and dynamic sound, has reunited and returned to the studio. Following a sold-out 20th anniversary show at Cincinnati’s Woodward Theater in 2022, the band is now recording their first new material in nearly a decade.

“The overwhelming response to our reunion show reminded us why we got into music in the first place,” says singer-songwriter Joe Hedges. “The night was a spark. I started finishing material I had written long ago, and writing tons of new material.” 

The current lineup features founding member Travis “T” Miller (cello, guitar, vocals), alongside veteran members Dan McQuinn (drums), John McGuire (guitar), and Brian Ives (bass). Recording sessions are taking place between Cincinnati, OH and Pullman, WA, utilizing modern collaboration tools to bridge the distance.

According to drummer Dan McQuinn the band has been quietly, almost secretly working on new music for months, using their home studios and sharing files through the internet, in addition to periodic sessions together. “Technology has transformed how we can work together,” notes guitarist John McGuire, who also serves as recording engineer. “We’re able to create seamlessly across the country, while maintaining the chemistry that’s always defined our sound.” Bassist Brian Ives adds, “We have been working together for fifteen years now. That history is really helping these songs come together quickly for this album; from Joe’s original demos to pre-production to final versions.”

The band’s return follows recent recognition in their hometown, including a feature in Cincinnati Library’s “Social Stairs” music installation and placement during NFL Sunday Night Football’s Cincinnati Bengals broadcast. Their previous releases include an MCA Records debut and tours supporting Collective Soul, Counting Crows, and Muse. The band’s last album, “Middletown,” was released independently in 2015 and is available on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Connect with the band on Instagram and Facebook for more updates as July For Kings returns with fresh music and the same passion that made them a favorite in the hearts of so many.

Follow July For Kings 

Spotify: JFK on Spotify

Facebook: Facebook.com/Julyforkings

Instagram: @JulyForKings

Substack: Joe Hedges’ writing


July For Kings Bio

July For Kings are a melodic post-grunge and alternative pop/rock outfit that formed in the late 90’s. Previously known as Swim, July for Kings were formed in the Middletown, OH area in 1998 by Joe Hedges and high school friends Sam Dobrozsi, T Miller, Jason Morgan and Travis Delaney. Within a few short years the band had released several independent albums and amassed a large following in the Cincinnati, Ohio area frequently packing venues such as The Mad Frog. This caught the attention of music producers and several record labels.

July For Kings ultimately signed with MCA Records and had several songs that fared well on radio stations across the country in markets such as Las Vegas, Memphis, Cleveland, Phoenix and Cincinnati. The band toured frequently performing with bands including Collective Soul, Counting Crows, Nine Days and Muse.

July for Kings were dropped from MCA upon the label’s dissolution in 2003, and drummer Dobrozsi and bassist Morgan subsequently left the band. The band moved ahead with Hedges at the helm releasing several independent albums including Nostalgia in 2005, which was CD Baby’s #1 selling album during its initial release. The band went through several line-up changes including a stint with Amos Heller on bass, who has since played bass for many years with Taylor Swift.

In the intervening years July For Kings continued to tour periodically, while Hedges built his profile as a visual artist and released several solo albums.

The band’s last album Middletown, was released independently in 2015, and is available for download on Bandcamp and streaming on Spotify. Shortly after its release, singer Joe Hedges moved to Washington state in 2015 while other band members continued to perform in other established Cincinnati-based acts. In the last year Hedges has made regular recording trips to Cincinnati to work with July For Kings, while refining tracks remotely. The band has also recorded in Seattle, WA.

In 2022, a 20th anniversary show celebrating the band’s debut album SWIM brought together band members past and present to perform at the Woodward Theater downtown Cincinnati. Beyond the large energetic turnout for the Woodward show, evidence for JFK’s established profile abounds: July For Kings are featured as part of the downtown Cincinnati Library’s “Social Stairs”, a staircase art installation and visual exploration of Cincinnati music rom 1945 to 2023. Recently, The Cincinnati Enquirer featured July For Kings in a list of “most successful artists” from Cincinnati. In 2023 July For Kings’ music was included during a broadcast of an NFL Sunday Night Football game featuring the Cincinnati Bengals.

July For Kings is now back in the studio, poised to release a new album and connect with new audiences.


July For Kings Music