Biography
Valerie June (born Valerie June Hockett in 1982) is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Jackson, Tennessee. Raised in a small town and later honing her craft in Memphis, June’s music is a vibrant blend of folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian, and bluegrass traditions. A self-taught musician, she began performing in the early 2000s, initially as part of the duo Bella Sun with her then-husband, before embarking on a solo career. Her unique voice and eclectic style quickly set her apart, drawing from a wide spectrum of influences and the rich musical heritage of the American South. June’s journey included years of working various jobs to support her music, busking, and self-releasing lo-fi recordings before gaining wider recognition through festival performances and collaborations.
Sunny War (born Sydney Lyndella Ward) is a Nashville-born singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music fuses punk, early blues, folk, and grunge. Known for her virtuosic fingerpicking and raw, emotionally honest songwriting, Sunny War’s life has been marked by periods of homelessness and train-hopping, experiences that deeply inform her art. Her sound is characterized by a blend of protest, resilience, and radical empathy, and she has become a prominent voice in contemporary Americana and roots music. Sunny War’s career includes critically acclaimed albums such as 'Anarchist Gospel' and 'Armageddon in a Summer Dress,' and she is recognized for her commitment to themes of mutual aid and community. She has opened for artists like Mavis Staples, Booker T, and Valerie June, and is celebrated for her ability to challenge musical norms while remaining deeply personal and authentic.
Fun Facts
- Valerie June once funded her debut studio album through a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising $15,000 from fans.
- Sunny War spent part of her youth hopping trains and living homeless, experiences that deeply inform her songwriting.
- Valerie June is a holistic craftswoman who used to sell handmade soap while busking in subway stations.
- Sunny War’s guitar style is often described as a unique mix of punk energy and early blues fingerpicking.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Elizabeth Cotten - Stylistic influence on Valerie June's guitar work and songwriting (General influence on acoustic/folk style) [Ongoing]
- Leadbelly - Inspirational figure for Valerie June's blues and folk sensibilities (General influence) [Ongoing]
Key Collaborators
- Dan Auerbach - Co-writer and producer for Valerie June (Pushin' Against a Stone) [2013]
- Old Crow Medicine Show - Collaborative recording with Valerie June (Valerie June And The Tennessee Express) [2009]
- Sunny War - Sunny War supported Valerie June on tour and later invited her to sing on a song written with June in mind (Unspecified collaborative song) [2020s]
Artists Influenced
- Emerging Americana and folk artists - Valerie June and Sunny War have inspired a new generation of roots musicians with their genre-blending styles and personal storytelling (General influence in the Americana scene) [2010s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Order Of Time | 2017-03-10 | Album |
| Pushin' against a Stone | 2013-05-01 | Album |
| Pushin' Against A Stone | 2013-01-01 | Album |
| The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers | 2021-03-12 | Album |
| The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers (Deluxe Edition) | 2022-01-21 | Album |
| Under Cover | 2022-08-26 | Album |
| Goodtime Charlie | 2023-09-15 | Album |
| Yèlèma | 2025-05-29 | Album |
| Pushin' Against a Stone | 2013-05-06 | Album |
| Live At KCRW | 2017-09-08 | Album |
| Mountain of Rose Quartz | 2013-04-23 | Album |
| Pushin' Against a Stone | 2013-05-06 | Album |
| The Way of the Weeping Willow | 2013-04-23 | Album |
Top Tracks
- You And I - Moon And Stars / Acoustic
- Astral Plane (The Order Of Time)
- Sweet Things Just for You
- You And I - Moon And Stars / Acoustic (The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers (Deluxe Edition))
- Joy, Joy!
- Wanna Be on Your Mind (Pushin' against a Stone)
- Call Me A Fool [Feat. Carla Thomas] (The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers)
- Wanna Be On Your Mind (Pushin' Against A Stone)
- With You - A Sweet Little Love Song Demo
- Long Lonely Road (The Order Of Time)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Sunny War - Valerie June has been played 15 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 2026 | 14:50 | The Cisco Kidfrom Cisco Kid | Bluesw/ DJ Giant | |
| Dec 29, 2025 | 15:17 | Joy, Joy!from Owls, Omens, and Oracles | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 23:36 | Let it Snowfrom Let it Snow | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Dec 18, 2025 | 22:21 | WINTER WONDERLANDfrom An Americana Christmas | Kitchen Sinkw/ Jennifer Brady | |
| Nov 28, 2025 | 23:59 | Imagine | The Rhythm Roomw/ Allan "Alski" Laskey | |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 15:21 | CRY BABYfrom Armagedon In A Summer Dress | Soul Serenadew/ Marc Stone | |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 15:14 | rollin' and tumblin'from Rollin' And Tumblin' | Soul Serenadew/ Marc Stone | |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 14:09 | WORKIN' WOMAN BLUESfrom PUSHIN' AGAINST A STONE | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Nov 2, 2025 | 15:30 | Rise | Homespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River | |
| Nov 2, 2025 | 14:45 | Maybellene | Homespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River |