Sean Winchester, Emily Rath, Kyle Mortensen.

Photo: Skyler Piltch

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East of June has never been about chasing trends—just chasing the songs that feel right. No gimmicks, no overthinking—just music that moves them. What started as a chance connection on Bumble between Emily and Kyle evolved into a creative partnership that continues to push their sound in unexpected directions.

East of June is stepping into 2025 with "Dragon," their first new single of the year, releasing on March 7. Blending dark undertones, soaring melodies, and raw emotion, "Dragon" is one of their most powerful tracks yet—a song that hits hard. It’s about awakening the fire within, stepping into your power, and becoming your truest self.

Band performing on stage at The Viper Room with a female vocalist, guitarist, and drummer under bright stage lights.
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Black and white photo of a band performing on stage at The Viper Room with a female singer and guitarist.
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Three people standing against an orange wall, smiling. One person has pink hair and is wearing a chain necklace; the other two have dark hair, one wearing a cap, all appear to be in a relaxed and joyful mood.
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Produced by Kyle, and mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Eric Emery, "Dragon" takes a darker, more atmospheric turn, pulling from themes of struggle and resilience. “The first melody idea for this one came to me in the shower,” says Emily. “I was trying to process this stifling feeling that I haven’t been able to really show the world my most powerful, boldest self as an artist and it kind of morphed into this concept of the inner dragon.”

“Dragon is a huge leap for us sonically," says Kyle. "It was exciting to experiment with new textures, colors, and rhythms while still staying true to who we are as a band. Coming off ‘Ocean Eyes’ and ‘Golden Crown,’ I knew ‘Dragon’ would be the moment we stop knocking on the door and kick it wide open.”

The trio—Emily Rath (vocals, keys), Kyle Mortensen (guitars, bass, synths), and Sean Winchester (drums)—continues to explore new creative directions while staying true to the chemistry that brought them together. Their origins trace back to an unexpected meeting between Emily and Kyle through a dating app—though music, not romance, turned out to be the real spark. Bonding over a love for timeless songwriting and artists like Fleetwood Mac, Lana Del Rey, and The Eagles, they started making music together, eventually forming East of June. Over time, their sound has grown and evolved, shaped by personal experiences, shifting perspectives, and a genuine love for the process of creating.

Last year, they released "Ocean Eyes," a rock-infused take on Billie Eilish’s song, marking their first release since parting ways with bassist Dirk Lance. It also introduced the newest member of the group, drummer Sean Winchester, who has played with Everclear, Buckcherry, and Smash Mouth. That release was followed by "Golden Crown," a song that blended their rock foundation with hip-hop influences, showcasing another side of their evolving sound.

“Making music with Kyle and Smidge has felt natural from day one," says Winchester. "There’s a real trust in the creative process, which makes it exciting to see where each new song takes us.”

— Sean Winchester

Photo: Skyler Piltch

With over 18 singles and 3 EPs released since 2019—including "Omens & Signs" and "Live at EastWest”—they are always looking ahead to what’s next. While more music is on the way later this year, the focus now is on "Dragon" and sharing this next chapter with their fans.

"Dragon" drops March 7.