Valerie June
Earthy banjo and delta blues grit meet ethereal, cosmic soul. A timeless voice that feels like a porch party under a canopy of stars.
Earthy banjo and delta blues grit meet ethereal, cosmic soul. A timeless voice that feels like a porch party under a canopy of stars.
Valerie June creates what she calls organic moonshine roots music, a potent blend of Appalachian folk, Memphis soul, and Delta blues. Her sound is anchored by her distinctive voice, a high, nasal twang that carries the weight of history while feeling entirely fresh. It is music that feels like it was grown in the soil, yet it frequently reaches for the stars with psychedelic flourishes and spiritual depth.
What truly sets her apart is her ability to bridge the gap between the traditional and the cosmic. While she masters the clawhammer banjo and slide guitar, she isn't afraid to layer her tracks with shimmering synths or ethereal vocal harmonies that suggest a broader, more mystical universe. It is a sound that honors the ghosts of the past, from Elizabeth Cotten to Nina Simone, while existing firmly in the present.
Start with her breakout album Pushin' Against a Stone to hear her master the intersection of blues and soul, then move to The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers for her more expansive, psychedelic take on the Americana tradition. It is the perfect soundtrack for moments of quiet reflection or late-night stargazing.
Valerie June Hockett (born January 10, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, Grammy-nominated, multi-instrumentalist, and author. Her music draws influence from many genres, including psychedelic folk, indie rock, Appalachian, bluegrass, country soul, symphonic pop, and blues, as well as from her southern roots and later East coast life. She is signed to Concord Music Group worldwide.
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