Valerie June

Valerie June is a self-taught musician, singer and songwriter from the small town of Humboldt, TN - located between Nashville and Memphis (she now lives in New York) and you can hear the influence of them both in her voice and her music. She has spent years honing a distinctive sound that effortlessly shifts between eras and genres: from indie-blues to traditional spiritual, and from country folk to R&B.

She cites a broad range of influences that include: The Carter Family, Van Morrison, Woody Gutherie, Nina Simone, Nico, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Billy Holiday, Gillian Welch, Elmore James, Memphis Minnie and even some African styles.

June will release her debut album, Pushin' Against A Stone, in early August. The album brings together the talents of acclaimed producers Kevin Augunas, Dan Auerbach and Peter Sabak, along with an all-star cast of musicians ranging from Booker T. and Jimbo Mathus to some of Hungary's top session players. The project was recorded at Easy Eye in Nashville, Fairfax Recording in Van Nuys, CA, and Studio H in Budapest.

At one moment seductive, another fragile and vulnerable, and another direct and forceful, Pushing Against A Stone is an impressive collection of songs including "You Can't Be Told," "Workin' Woman Blues," "Somebody To Love, " The Hour," "Wanna Be On Your Mind" and the title track.

In a recent interview, June said, "West Tennessee born and raised, I became enchanted by a blend and balance between East Tennessee's country music and Memphis' delta blues. In addition, I value and honor the virtues of my childhood by embracing southern gospel and traditional folk songs. I call this fusion of musical genres Organic Moonshine Roots Music."

June recently performed a stunning duet of "Like Jesus Does" with Eric Church at the 2013 ACM Awards. She had a breakout year in the U.K. in 2012 that included a performance on Jools Holland, a tour with Jake Bugg and stellar press coverage.

She is doing an NPR.org On The Record interview with Ann Powers this month, will be an NPR First Listen in early August and will appear on the Late Show with David Letterman in late August. June is set to hit the road later this summer including a stop at this year's Triple A Conference in Boulder.

• 8/08 Triple A Conference in Boulder, CO
• 8/10 Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis
• 8/14 City Winery, New York
• 8/15 Tin Angel, Philadelphia
• 8/17 Norwich New York Music Festival
• 8/18 IOTA, Washington, D.C.
• 9/16 Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
• 9/17 Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DC
• 9/18 Jefferson Theater, Charlottesville, VA
• 9/19 Center Stage/Buckhead Theater, Atlanta
• 9/20 Carolina Theatre, Durham, NC
• 9/21 Orange Peel, Asheville, NC
• 9/22 Music Farm/Charleston Music Hall, Charleston
• 9/24 Beacham Theater, Orlando
• 9/25 Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale
• 9/26 The Ritz Ybor, Tampa
• 9/27 Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola, FL
• 9/28 House of Blues, New Orleans
• 10/04-1/13 Austin City Limits Music Festival, Austin
• 10/21 Gothic Theatre, Denver
• 10/22 Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe, NM
• 10/24 Rialto Theatre, Tucson
• 10/25 Heritage Square, Phoenix
• 10/26 Spreckels Theatre, San Diego
• 10/29 Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles
• 10/31-11/01 Fillmore, San Francisco
• 11/05 Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
• 11/06 Paramount Theatre, Seattle

For more, visit www.valeriejune.com

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