EP 397 | Valerie June, Coming our way!

An artist who blends Americana, folk, gospel, soul, and blues to create something she calls "organic moonshine roots music," June grew up in western Tennessee, a part of the world where different musical traditions meet, something that is reflected in her special sound. She was raised in a musical family where everybody sang. She is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who plays banjo, guitar, and ukulele. She's also an author, a poet, and a certified mindfulness instructor who sees joy as something fierce, powerful, and radical—a form of resistance. She told The New Yorker, "I'm basically an ambassador for joy, and people are oftentimes like, 'That's so fake, you're bypassing shit.' But that's not my truth. My truth is understanding the darkness and understanding the night and the hard times and choosing to be in a place of joy."     "Valerie June has built a devoted following by ignoring expectations. She is simultaneously rural and cosmopolitan, historically minded and contemporary, idiosyncratic and fashionable, mystical and down-to-earth." — New York Times   Valerie June   She's playing some great shows and festivals, making stops: July 16 – Toronto, ON – TD Music Hall July 17 – Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Bluesfest July 19 – Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Folk July 22 – Edmonton, AB – Horowitz Theatre July 23 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Folk   Valerie June-Owls, Omens and Oracles Valerie's critically acclaimed sixth studio album, Owls, Omens and Oracles, came out last summer on Concord Records. It was produced by M Ward and included one of the best songs of 2025, "Joy Joy"!   "Getting the courage to do something small Lifting the spirits of all that you saw Feeling the tiniest spark in your heart Only an ember can light up the dark Are you ready to see A world where we could all be free As branches of an endless tree?"   One of a kind and driven by writing songs of truth and justice.   We welcome back Valerie June.