Tuesday, November 1, 2022 – GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet, and author, Valerie June is set to close 2022 on a high-note that includes a series of solo shows throughout the Northeast and the release of her first children’s book, SOMEBODY TO LOVE: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele, which streets today via Third Man Books. The year-end activity follows the release of Under Cover, June’s acclaimed collection of specially curated covers songs which came out in late-August. In addition, June was recently selected to be the keynote speaker at the 2023 Folk Alliance International Conference which takes place on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.
Known as one of America’s most admired sonic experimentalists, June’s daring and futuristic approach will be on full display as she brings her one-of-a-kind talent to a northeast solo run that begins November 4 at the Landmark on Main Steet in Port Washington, NY. The set list is sure to feature selections from Under Cover, as well as June’s highly acclaimed 2021 LP, The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers among other fan favorites.
The follow-up to June’s widely adored The Order of Time — a 2017 effort that earned the admiration of Bob Dylan and landed on best-of-the-year lists — The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers is a landmark work for the Memphis-born, Brooklyn-based auteur. The album’s “Call Me A Fool,” featuring Stax legend Carla Thomas, was nominated for Best American Roots Song at this year’s GRAMMY Awards, the first nomination of June’s illustrious career.
Under Cover features extraordinary interpretations of songs by some of June’s favorite artists including Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed,” Joe South’s “Don’t It Make You Want To Go Home,” Gillian Welch’s “Look At Miss Ohio,” and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ “Into My Arms.” The EP also includes two tracks that appeared on June’s (digital only) The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers Deluxe Edition: John Lennon’s “Imagine,” Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon,” along with Bob Dylan’s transcendent “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here with You,” (previously available as an Amazon Original exclusive). June’s captivating reading of Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You”rounds out the set; its live performance video has garnered over 1 million views on YouTube to date.
June’s first children’s book, SOMEBODY TO LOVE: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele (releasing today via Third Man Books), tracks the story behind the writing of “Somebody to Love,” a song from her breakthrough album,2013’s Pushin’ Against a Stone. June’s first book, Maps for the Modern World, an Amazon #1 Best Seller in poetry, is a collection of lyrical poems and original illustrations about cultivating community, awareness, and harmony with our surroundings as we move fearlessly toward our dreams.
Lastly, Folk Alliance International, the foremost global nonprofit for folk music, recently tapped June as the keynote presenter at its 35th annual conference. The live, in-person presentation will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. She joins a prestigious group of past Folk Alliance International keynote speakers including Margaret Atwood, Mavis Staples, Rhiannon Giddens, Judy Collins, Al Gore, Billy Bragg, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Graham Nash, Ani DiFranco, and more.
“I’m honored to be welcomed into the Folk Alliance family as a keynote speaker following in the footsteps of artists, I’ve long admired, like Mavis Staples,” says June. “I’m hoping to inspire joy and an appreciation of nature through my message. Music is everywhere whether we are listening to music created for speakers and headphones or just observing nature’s endless songs. What could be more folky and down to earth than taking time to breathe and observe the ultimate musician — Mother Nature.”
Valerie June ON TOUR:
11/4 – Port Washington, NY – Landmark on Main Street (solo show)
11/5 – Mamaroneck, NY – Emelin Theatre Mamaroneck (solo show)
11/6 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (solo show)
11/8 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest Café (solo show)
11/9 – State College, PA – The State Theatre (solo show)
11/11 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer (solo show)
11/12 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Universal Preservation Hall (solo show)
11/13 – Rockport, MA – Shalin Liu Performance Center (solo show) SOLD OUT
April 28-30, 2023 – StageCoach 2023 Festival, Indio, CA
Find tickets and tour information: HERE