JULIEN'S DONKEY BOYS + COLD ROOM HEADY

JULIEN'S DONKEY BOYS

A talented and insightful trio of musicians from all walks of life, this group of individuals brings a unique and powerful approach to both of these projects. Our interview in the lead-up to their debut show as Julien’s Donkey Boys provides further insight into the ideas and passion which they bring into their music. Our hour-long interview digs deep into their musical origins, inspirations, future and much more. Here it is; What Planet is This? Interviews Julien’s Donkey Boys (and Cold Room Heady). 

We start our interview at Lynx Music Studio at Lansdowne and Dupont with introductions to the band members, Ben, the lead singer and guitarist,  Jaeden, the drummer (and he screams on some songs) and Aian, their bass player and intern (his words, not mine.). Julien’s Donkey Boys started simply with a jam sesh between Ben and Jaeden at the very music studio we interviewed them at (just in a different room). In a two-hour jam session, before they went to an At The Gates concert, they simply played songs while experimenting with different sounds and styles. They thought that the energy and synchronicity in their musical skills meant they should start a band to utilize their artistry and make something cool.

Julien’s Donkey Boys describe their music as “Midwest Hardcore”, taking inspiration from both Midwest and hardcore emo to inspire an interesting and unique sound. They say that their fusion of these genres of music leans a lot into the elements of older hardcore, with the incorporation of screaming, breakdowns, double kicks and other staples of the genre while fusing that with the kind of stringy riffs and lyricism you'd find in midwest emo. They say it's been a lot of fun for them to experiment with seeing how far they can push these genres together. Ben briefly tells us the story of how he was kicked out of a concert by security while seeing one of his favourite bands, Algernon Cadwallader: Ben who loves to mosh had been moshing hard until a member of the venue’s security pulled him out of the pit for stage diving and kicked him out of the venue. He mentions how he had to listen to the last quarter of the show from outside the venue and how when he apologised to the band after the show, they said they liked his energy. Ben says, “[The venue] wasn’t rocking with it, but the band was”.

The favourite fruits of JDB are as follows; kiwis, blueberries, strawberries and peaches. I asked if they'd ever heard of a quince (a fruit related to apples and pears). They have never heard of quinces but share a morbid curiosity about their nature. I express my hatred for the fruit, that it needs to be cooked for an hour before it's even edible, and even after cooking them, they still suck.

While telling us about their instruments, they express a desire to possibly implement a cowbell into their kit, for use during breakdowns in their performances. I think the cowbell would make a great addition. Both Ben and Jaeden are from the Halton region and describe the scene there as pretty barren. Other than the occasional parking lot or legion show, there isn't much going on in terms of a music scene, they do hope that this will change this coming summer and many more bands are coming out of the Halton Region ( Julien’s Donkey Boys, Mule King, and White Rabbit to name a few). 

Aian is from Russia, Siberia to be more exact. He describes the punk scene in Siberia as “absolutely insane”. He says that they have to create the gigs and locations to play at and that the scene there consists of a lot of folk, punk and a lot of post-punk. Having grown up in this scene and community, the music and culture he experienced in his home scene helped to inspire and shape Aian’s passion for music.

The origin behind the name of Julien’s Donkey Boys comes down to how Ben and Jaeden met, through their passion for film. The band is named after the movie Julien Donkey-Boy, Directed by Harmony Korine, a director whose films they both love. Ben and Jaeden first met at the Five Drive in Oakville, a place you've certainly been to if you live in the Oakville area, when Ben mentioned the Five Drive In. I instantly remembered childhood memories of going there to see movies because it was cheaper for my large family to just go there instead of to the actual movie theatre. They told us that they take a lot of inspiration from film towards their music.

The least favourite subway stations of the JDB members are Queen, because whenever you get off there to go to History for a concert you’re reminded that you'll be on a streetcar for the next 30 minutes. They also mentioned Kipling, because, well, it's Kipling. What's not to hate? The members also mention that while they've never been to Kennedy station, it's probably worse than Kipling. Ben mentions how he sees Cold Room Heady as a very chaotic passion project inspired by whatever music he's been listening to, while Julien’s Donkey Boys is a more organized chaos. Some bands from the underground scene they’d like to play shows with would be Camero and Napoleon (They’re opening for Napoleon and Big City Germs on July 29th with Heavenly Blue at The Garrison on Dundas West).

As for big bands they’d like to play with, Turnstile and Blink-182 come up. When asked what they would do for a music video with an unlimited budget, they say that they’d like to hire as many extras as possible, find a giant field and create a giant mosh pit “Just the sickest fucking throwdown”. Their favourite thing about the underground scene is the sense of community 

COLD ROOM HEADY

Cold Room Heady is Ben’s solo project. with many releases on many music platforms, his discography is nothing to scoff at. With several releases under his belt, Ben’s released music is a glowing example of his musical prowess. The origins of the Cold Room Heady's name lies in a cold room in a friend of Ben’s basement when he was in high school, in this cold room he’d play music and he and his friends would hotbox the room with their vapes to give themselves a head rush, also known as a heady, leading to the name of his solo act, Cold Room Heady.

A gem of the GTA midwest emo scene, Ben takes inspiration from classic midwest emo bands like Modern Baseball, Modest Mouse and AJJ, he also takes inspiration from musical acts like Teen Suicide, who he says showed him that “You can have really fucked up recordings and not know what youre doing while still making something good”.  While some bands aim for prestigious venues, Cold Room Heady finds solace in the intimate charm of backyard shows. Ben's desire to bring the music closer to the people is evident in his preference for these unconventional spaces. The proximity allows for an intense connection between the artist and the audience, forging an unparalleled sense of unity and shared experience.

When discussing the Toronto underground music scene, Ben acknowledges the incredible sense of community that exists. He appreciates the genuine warmth and camaraderie that can be found at most underground shows, noting that "90 to 95% of the people you run into, especially in those underground shows, are like some of the nicest, most chill people." However, he doesn't shy away from addressing the dark side—the 5% that he aptly describes as the "fucking assholes" who make others feel unsafe, particularly women. Ben is determined to ensure that both Cold Room Heady and Julien's Donkey Boys shows are safe spaces, free from the toxicity of that 5%, where everyone can enjoy the music without fear. Beyond the music, we delved into the lighter side of Ben's personality. 

When asked about his beverage preference, Ben reveals a newfound love for tea, hinting at a growing fondness for the calming ritual. The conversation takes a whimsical turn when we discuss the colour of his socks. Initially unsure if they match, Ben checks, only to be genuinely surprised to find out that they do. He explains, "I guess I just chose them because they're blue and they match." It's these small moments that showcase the endearing quirks of an artist behind the hardcore facade. In an era dominated by social media, Cold Room Heady recognizes its impact on the Toronto music scene. Ben applauds the platform's accessibility, making it easier for newcomers to discover shows and for bands to connect. The ease of booking venues has been a game-changer, amplifying the reach of underground musicians. However, Ben is not blind to the downsides. He candidly expresses his concerns about the "TikTokification of Deftones," referencing how the band's sudden surge in popularity on TikTok has attracted a new wave of listeners who might not align with the true essence of their music. It's a bittersweet relationship with social media, where gatekeepers and superficial trends threaten to dilute the authenticity of artists and their fan base. 

Cold Room Heady, led by the multifaceted Ben, breathes new life into Toronto's underground scene with their hardcore anthems. The relentless energy, edgy sound, and commitment to providing safe spaces encapsulate the essence of this one-man powerhouse. While Cold Room Heady embraces the unconventional and revels in the chaos, Ben's astute observations and refreshingly honest perspective shed light on the broader landscape of the Toronto underground music scene. As they continue their journey, Cold Room Heady stands as a beacon of authenticity in an industry filled with both euphoria and dissonance.

By Zachary Lidster + Abby Siskind, 2023