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Biography
As a child, Hockett was heavily influenced by gospel music at church and the R&B music industry, which her father worked in. Mr. Hockett was a promoter for soulful artists like Prince and K-Ci & JoJo. Living in the vicinity of blues and country capitals of the world Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee Hockett was also exposed to folk and country music.
Valerie June was inspired to move to Memphis in 2000, where she performed as one half of the duo Bella Sun with her now ex-husband. Coming out of an unsuccessful marriage, Hockett decided to start her independent career in music making what she calls “organic moonshine roots music.” Her muses are artists from the 1920s and 1930s including Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotton, The Carter Family, and Alan Lomax. Valerie June ambitiously self-produced two EPs “The Way of the Weeping Willow” in 2006 and “Mountain of Rose Quartz” released in 2008. The former was recorded in an old 1800s farmhouse owned by a friend and the latter at Ardent Studios in Memphis .
After opening for the band Old Crow Medicine Show at Rhodes College, Valerie June did a collaborative EP with her fellow performers called “Valerie June and the Tennessee Express” in 2010. Hockett received quite a following after the album was put out as well as from her appearance on MTV’s online series “$5 Cover,” which gave exposure to underground musicians in the Memphis area.
As the next step to producing her debut album, Valerie June took matters into her own hands by creating a Kickstarter.com campaign with producer Craig Stuart which. Her efforts raised $15,000 in under two months. Hockett’s actions attracted the attention of producer Kevin Augunas, who helped her network with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. The two gentlemen helped Valerie June accomplish her goal by co-writing and producing her first album “Pushin’ Against a Stone” in June 2011. Her music maneuvers smoothly through the blues and gospel genres, with a touch of nostalgia and a lot of soul. Valerie June’s debut single “Workin’ Woman Blues” was the first song she played for the NPR Tiny Desk Concert series. Her album was released in the UK and Europe on 6 June 2013. Her song “You Can’t Be Told” also received significant airplay.
In 2012 Valerie June collaborated with Fugees producer John Forte on hip-hop blues single “Give Me Water.” In 2013 she supported Jake Bugg on his UK tour.
Live reviews
With a name that beautiful, what else could do Valerie June any justice other than her stunning voice!
Hearing of Valerie June through a friend who is really into folk music, I was not sure as to what I should expect.
Once I think of folk music I automatically think of country music and a large fellow blowing into an empty container, making that noise familiar to anyone blowing air into the hollow open bottle of their favourite drink. Anyway once listening to Valerie I was stunned as to how spectacular her voice was!
The music she makes is simply not the stereotypical country music, but instead a fusion of multiple genres including: blues, gospel, soul and bluegrass.
Surprising myself when I immediately went searching for more of her songs I came across a song called 'Shotgun' and I instantly fell in love! Hearing she would be performing I immediately snapped up tickets, to my amazement her voice is even better live! On stage she carries herself with such elegance and passion.
Her voice is good on disc but even better in person!
I urge all and any to go and listen to Valerie June if she is in a town near you !
MarkSpencer
This was the second time I had seen Valerie June this year and she was brilliant, her whole band was great, her energy is amazing and she just grips the audience with her presence. She interacts with the audience telling stories of how she came to write certain songs. She played for just under 2hrs playing songs from her current album and some selected songs from previous albums, I can't wait for her to come back to London again.
Leilaa06
Valerie June was incredible! Her voice is so powerful yet so soothing, even when she speaks. All the stories she told were inspiring and her songs are brilliantly composed and so raw and real!
hali-erickson
I had high hopes, and both acts exceeded them! I'm a new fan of The War and Treaty, and my love for Valerie June has grown. They were amazing storytellers and sounded wonderful live.
tiara-peeples
The show was a perfect way to spend a perfect summer evening. Valerie June was amazing and she stayed after the show for meeting and greeting her fans. I'm so glad I went!
jane-jubilee
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