Episode 101: Valerie June

The singer-songwriter discussed her new album, ‘The Moon & Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers,’ and more.

By Team JamBase Oct 21, 2021 • 9:40 am PDT

Episode 101 of The JamBase Podcast, a partner of the Osiris Media Network, features an interview with singer-songwriter Valerie June. JamBase’s Andy Kahn recently chatted with June about her excellent new album, The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers, which is out now via Fantasy Records.

June was in Brooklyn for the interview that was conducted via a video call. The discussion began by examining the overall cohesiveness achieved across The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions For Dreamers, which was co-produced by June and Jack Splash. June described meeting Splash and instantly connecting over a variety of shared interests such as a book of Sun Ra poetry.

June detailed making the new record and how Splash’s influence can be heard in different aspects of the album like interludes that connect some of the tracks. June talked about the concept of having dreams and being hopeful in the face of failure. And she talked about being inspired by dreams that occur while asleep, including a dream in which her brother performed a song that became one of the songs on the album. The interview also explored the healing power of music and the actual “prescriptions” the album provides.

Legendary vocalist Carla Thomas contributed to The Moon And Stars. June revealed how the collaboration on “Call Me A Fool” came about and how she asked the Queen of Memphis Soul to read an African proverb that was used as one of the aforementioned interludes. June recalled her recent experience performing with Thomas at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for the Americana Music Awards.

The interview also touched on June’s recent Grand Ole Opry debut, performing songs from the new album live in concert and more. Kahn also followed up on a story Allison Russell told on her JamBase Podcast appearance about the time she and Valerie sat on Prince’s motorcycle at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

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Stream Episode 101 of The JamBase Podcast below or via all major podcast services including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Google Podcast: