{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"EP 397 | Valerie June, Coming our way!","description":"An artist who blends Americana, folk, gospel, soul, and blues to create something she calls \u201corganic moonshine roots music,\u201d 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\u2019s also an author, a poet, and a certified mindfulness instructor who sees joy as something fierce, powerful, and radical\u2014a form of resistance. She told The New Yorker, \u201cI\u2019m basically an ambassador for joy, and people are oftentimes like, \u2018That\u2019s so fake, you\u2019re bypassing shit.\u2019 But that\u2019s 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.\u201d     \u201cValerie 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.\u201d \u2014 New York Times   Valerie June   She\u2019s playing some great shows and festivals, making stops: July 16 \u2013 Toronto, ON \u2013 TD Music Hall July 17 \u2013 Ottawa, ON \u2013 Ottawa Bluesfest July 19 \u2013 Vancouver, BC \u2013 Vancouver Folk July 22 \u2013 Edmonton, AB \u2013 Horowitz Theatre July 23 \u2013 Calgary, AB \u2013 Calgary Folk   Valerie June-Owls, Omens and Oracles Valerie\u2019s 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, \u201cJoy Joy\u201d!   \u201cGetting 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?\u201d   One of a kind and driven by writing songs of truth and justice.   We welcome back Valerie June. ","author_name":"Mulligan Stew","author_url":"http:\/\/www.mulliganstew.ca\/","html":"