Valerie June The Voice of Organic Moonshine Roots Music

Valerie June Hockett, born on January 10, 1982, is a Grammy-nominated American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and author. Her unique sound is a tapestry of genres, weaving together psychedelic folk, indie rock, Appalachian, bluegrass, country soul, symphonic pop, and blues. Deeply influenced by her Southern roots and her later experiences on the East Coast, June has carved a niche for herself in the modern music landscape, signing worldwide with the Concord Music Group.

Early Life and Influences

Born in Jackson, Tennessee, Valerie June was the second of five children. Her childhood in Humboldt was steeped in musical diversity; she was exposed to gospel music at her local church and R&B and soul through her father, Emerson Hockett. In her teenage years, she balanced work at her father's construction company with a role as a part-time promoter for legendary artists such as Prince, Bobby Womack, and K-Ci & JoJo, gaining early insight into the music industry by distributing posters throughout her town.

The Evolution of a Musical Career

Career Beginnings (2000–2009)

June moved to Memphis in 2000, beginning her recording and performing journey at age 19 as part of the duo Bella Sun. Following the end of her marriage, she transitioned into a solo artist. It was during this time that she developed her signature style, which she describes as "organic moonshine roots music," a blend of blues, gospel, and Appalachian folk. She also expanded her musical repertoire by learning the guitar, banjo, and lap-steel guitar, and became a key member of the Memphis-based Broken String Collective.

Breakthrough and 'Pushin' Against a Stone' (2010–2015)

After gaining visibility through MTV's online series $5 Cover and collaborating with Old Crow Medicine Show, June's career accelerated. In 2011, she relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where she was introduced to Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. This partnership led to the creation of her acclaimed album Pushin' Against a Stone, co-written and produced by Auerbach and Kevin Augunas.

The album, released in 2013, served as a reflection of her life's struggles and triumphs. June noted that the title commemorated her feeling of having spent her life "pushing against a stone," drawing parallels between her own hard work and the traditional artists she admired. The record featured contributions from Booker T. Jones and garnered a Blues Music Award nomination for Best New Artist Debut in 2014.

Critical Acclaim and Later Works (2017–2021)

June's second album, The Order of Time (2017), received widespread critical praise. Rolling Stone listed it as one of the 50 Best Albums of 2017, praising her "idiosyncratic brand of Americana" and her "pinched, modern-Appalachian voice." Her influence reached such heights that Bob Dylan mentioned her as an artist he respected during a 2017 interview.

In 2021, she released The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers, continuing her exploration of soulful, roots-based music. The album was preceded by the single "Call Me a Fool," featuring the legendary Carla Thomas.