December’s Insurgency takes pop-rock and molds it into whatever shape and sound they possibly can, with smooth piano ballads, crunchy and driving power chords and guitar riffs, or soaring melodic vocal lines with rich harmonies to back it up. New sounds and musical ways of thinking are also nothing this band shies away from. Unique instrumentation and effects – as well as irregular time signatures and unexpected turns in songs – are just another weapon in the arsenal and another distinguishing factor. Along with these is the explosion of energy that December’s Insurgency brings to their music, which can also be witnessed live in concert, and which brings out the contrast of their laid-back piano driven material so much clearer. Their dynamics can take you through intensity, serenity, and even silliness with the band’s desire to branch out to different approaches of styles and feels. Whatever means they choose, they will be sure to rock you and entertain you until your eyes fall out of your head and your ears get up on the stage and start jumping.

Ridiculous guys, serious music.

Our Members

Daniel Bergman – A truly lanky fellow. Music has for a long time been a passion for Bergman, which led him to form the beginnings of December’s Insurgency with fellow founders Daniel Doerksen and Sameer Mukul. Back then, of course, he didn’t even know how to tune a guitar and knew only four chords, but times have changed since then. Now, he is the head-banging, mild-mannered, laid-back guitarist/vocalist rocker that you see him as today. Bergman will attempt to play anything even resembling an instrument that you throw at him, and has several hidden musical talents, such as the ability to play three recorders at once (the Happy Birthday song) and the ability to identify the name of almost any lone pitch. You can tell he has a lot of free time on his hands. Some of that time is spent listening to his favourite band Relient K (whom he played on stage with!!), or some other band he likes, such as Paramore, Thrice, Mae, or Sean Kingston. Other than musical abilities, Bergman does not have a lot to show for himself, except for some theatrical talent, some video game skillz, and the pastiest whitest brightest skin. He also claims to know some Russian since his recent expedition to Ukraine. Какой орех!

Daniel Doerksen – One of the nuttier founding fathers of the group. He never quite says what he means to say, and when he does, it usually ends in someone getting kicked out of the band. Despite being an expert at Spanish guitar, Doerksen preferred to spend some time devoted to learning the drums, since it was required of him for the band (he actually doesn’t play Spanish guitar). Since he had “just wanted to hit things” ever since the very beginning, this man has been diligent in becoming a primarily self-taught drummer, despite not having a kit to call his own, and has developed into a strong backbone for the band. Doerksen loves all things music and is very strongly opinionated in regards to it (especially about how everyone should be able to have their own opinions). That being said, it is rare to find a style of music that Doerksen does not enjoy, and some of his top bands would include the Foo Fighters, South, the Wallflowers, Yellowcard, Anberlin, and Garblejunk. Sports of many kinds are also something this man enjoys – particularly football – and reading and writing on the topics of sports and music interest him as well. Although he is in his third year of studies in the arts faculty at the University of Manitoba, everyone knows he doesn’t take himself seriously.

Kieran Moolchan – A ladies’ man through and through, Kieran is the frontman of this ensemble. Known for his ability to sprint and hurdle at mach 6 for at least 110 meters at a time, Kieran never fails to bring a high level of energy and rockism to the stage for December’s Insurgency. Kieran’s two main passions in life are athletics and music, and it shows. He is also a prodigy in both – rising to be one of the fastest men in Manitoba after a few short years of running, and joining elite and secretive choirs in his first comeback year of singing. ShaBAM!!! There are yet again not many musical styles that this band member dislikes, except for, of course, country. Examples of his taste include Coldplay, Muse, Mutemath, Thrice, Underoath, Keane, Anberlin, and a host of others, including Rascal Flatts. Kieran enjoys smashing his fingers against black and white keys. He enjoys singing at volume to people. Sometimes, he enjoys to scream at them. He knows English better than I, the Narrator, do know it, as this is his University subject studying, along with politics and history. With his common attire of nothing but a pair of shorts, Kieran fits in perfectly into his home in residence at U of M. He has a music/track microblog at www.kieranmoolchan.com .

Yuri Hladio – I mean, come on, who is this guy, a German exchange student?! Yuri enjoys a good sitcom, a thick and difficult beverage, a 5-string bass, and some good friends. Having only been in Winnipeg for a few short years, he has infiltrated local culture – including the band December’s Insurgency – quite easily and sneakily. The way that Yuri thinks about music is very much inspired by one of his favourite musical groups, Soulja Boy. – I mean, Dream Theatre. Complicated counting patterns and unique bass riffs, both of which give members of the band headaches trying to figure out, are what this man brings to the table. And we love it. Yuri has been known in the past to have interesting outfits picked out for shows, some including pink shorts and traditional Ukrainian garb, and never ceases to tell a joke or pun in concert that will make you groan. Currently enrolled in theatre classes, this guy knows how to have a laugh. He also loves the Pittsburgh Steelers, is trilingual, and has a third nipple. His bass amp sure sounds like Liam Neeson when it talks. The band would be nothing without Yuri and his short attention span. Thank you, Yuri, for be- we should get some Red Bull.