Local band to put on concert for charity

Songwriting is an arbitrary process for Brian Jonkman.

"What I used to do was go out, and in random-ass parts of my day, something would happen," he said. "It would be like these kind of epiphanies. I'd get, like, this line. I'd get, like, this phrase. So, I'm more into lyrics in a lot of ways."

Jonkman, a UNM student, is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for In Query. The band will perform Friday at the Lobo Theater. Proceeds from the performance will benefit Hope Christian Academy.

For Brian Jonkman, songwriting is about telling a story.

"I think music is such an emotional thing for a lot of people," he said. "People don't explain why they like music. It's something that just hits them. It's something that's pleasurable for them. I think personally, in the last few years, people have stepped away from, like, the poetry aspect of songwriting."

In Query includes Jonkman's brother and bassist Brad, drummer Bryant Hammonds and guitarist Andy Othling.

The band started out as Brian's solo project.

"I did this demo about a year and a half ago," he said. "And then a friend of (Brad's) who is a studio producer heard it and wanted to do a full album."

Brad and Hammonds helped Brian prepare for the album.

"I met Brian in a philosophy class," Hammonds said. "I met Brad before him, but I didn't know they were related. Later on, I was hanging out with Brian one day, and Brad came out of his room."

Brian's album was delayed, so they started playing shows as a band. Othling joined the band in January.

"When I came in, and I was learning all the songs, they just kind of let me do whatever I wanted," Othling said. "They didn't say, 'Do this.'"

Brian said each member has a different musical style. For Brad, mixing can be difficult.

"We had to make musical sacrifices, I would say, because for me, I grew up playing a lot of jam," he said. "The amount of notes that we play, we have to compromise, because me and Andy are busy players, and we have to kind of trade off."

In May, Hammonds and Brian will graduate, and the group will record its first studio album. The group will stay in Albuquerque.

"I think the music scene and entertainment has really come to Albuquerque - all these movie studios and stuff." Brad said. "It's a hot spot for new artists to come up."

In Query

Ecuador benefit concert

Lobo Theater

3007 Central Ave. N.E.

Friday