Valerie June Performs 'Owls, Omens and Oracles' Live

Summary

All Of It: Valerie June Performs 'Owls, Omens and Oracles' Live

Hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes the acclaimed singer-songwriter Valerie June to the studio. Valerie June, known for her unique fusion of folk, blues, gospel, and soul, returns with her latest album, Owls, Omens and Oracles. The episode features live performances, in-depth discussions about her creative process, inspirations drawn from nature, and her recent foray into poetry. This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of their conversation, highlighting key insights and memorable moments.

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Valerie June's New Album: Owls, Omens and Oracles

Valerie June introduces her 14-track album, Owls, Omens and Oracles, produced by folk musician M. Ward. The album boasts collaborations with notable artists such as the Blind Boys of Alabama and Norah Jones. Beyond music, the album intertwines with her book Maps for the Modern World, a collection of poems and illustrations aimed at cultivating community—a perfect complement for National Poetry Month.

Meaning Behind the Album's Title

At [08:10], Valerie June delves into the mystical and spiritual significance of her album's title. She shares a personal experience of encountering owls three times over the past year and a half on her family land in Tennessee. These majestic birds, symbols of wisdom and the ability to see in the dark, inspired her to explore themes of guidance and navigating through challenging times:

"When I saw it three times... I have to figure out what is this owl messenger trying to tell me? ... what does the owl represent to me personally, but what does it also mean for us as human beings" ([08:10]).

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Live Performances

The episode features Valerie June performing three of her songs from the new album, each accompanied by meaningful explanations.

1. "Endless Tree"
   Introduced at [01:38], Valerie June describes "Endless Tree" as a song about togetherness and the hidden language of trees. She emphasizes learning from nature's wisdom and beauty:

   "Endless Tree is a song of togetherness. Trees have a hidden language that connects them to one another... I'm sharing the message with you." ([01:38]).

   The live performance captures the heartfelt essence of the song, inviting listeners to envision a harmonious world.

2. "Joy Joy"
   Introduced at [14:29], "Joy Joy" serves as a personal mantra for Valerie June, highlighting the importance of practicing joy even amidst daily struggles:

   "Joy is a practice and we have to have joy in our day. Doesn't necessarily mean you're happy, but it means you got joy in your heart." ([14:29]).

   The performance radiates positivity and resilience, reminding listeners to seek joy within.

3. "Love Me Annie"
   Later in the episode, Valerie June performs "Love Me Annie," showcasing her collaboration with top horn players. She expresses the song's themes of unconditional love and support:

   "Don't pack your bags and try to leave. Just love me anywhere." ([26:00]).

   The rich instrumentation enhances the song's emotional depth.

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Inspirations and Themes

Valerie June's creative process is deeply influenced by nature and personal experiences.

Learning from Nature

At [06:35], Valerie June recounts a pivotal conversation with her aunt, who emphasized that beauty is inherently political. This revelation led her to understand how natural beauty, such as a blooming daffodil, can be a form of political expression, especially in times of environmental and societal challenges:

"Beauty is political, especially in this time where we face so much with the environment and the climate... they guide me to this song." ([06:35]).

Symbolism of Owls

Her repeated encounters with owls inspired the album's title and its overarching themes. Valerie June reflects on the owl's role as a messenger of wisdom and its relevance to collective and personal navigation through dark times.

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Personal Growth and Lessons

Valerie June shares valuable lessons learned during the creation of her album.

Embracing Collaboration

At [10:39], she describes the courage it took to approach M. Ward to produce her album and to invite Norah Jones to feature on a track. Her experience taught her the importance of not fearing rejection:

"Don't be afraid to ask. Even if the person says no, just go for it." ([11:34]).

Developing Her Singing Voice

Discussing her vocal journey at [12:05], Valerie June emphasizes embracing imperfections and emotional authenticity over conforming to mainstream radio standards:

"I felt like okay. I'm not gonna sound like everybody on the radio. I'm probably not gonna get played much on mainstream radio. I don't mind that. But, you know, I'm gonna be me." ([12:05]).

Her confident, warm, and sincere singing style is a testament to her dedication to genuine artistic expression.

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Poetry and Personal Expression

Valerie June's exploration of poetry adds another layer to her artistic persona.

Writing After Loss

At [18:13], she reveals that her foray into poetry began after her father's passing six years ago. Unlike songwriting, her poetry is more rhythmic and spoken word, leading to the creation of her book, Maps for the Modern World:

"I started writing poetry... I do write songs too. Some of the songs on this record are old... When I look at what's jumping off the page, I pull the ones that are like, me, me, me." ([18:13]).

Connecting with Ancestors

Valerie June believes her poetry may be a conduit for voices from her ancestors, fostering a deeper connection to her heritage and family history.

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Life Between Two Worlds: NYC and Tennessee

Balancing city life and the serenity of the countryside, Valerie June finds inspiration in both environments.

Living in Brooklyn and Tennessee

At [22:03], she shares her dual residences in Brooklyn and Humboldt, Tennessee. This balance allows her to draw creative inspiration from the vibrant urban scene and the tranquil, nature-rich countryside.

"I call home Brooklyn and Tennessee. I go back and forth..." ([22:03]).

Urban and Rural Inspirations

In NYC, Valerie June thrives on fashion inspiration and the dynamic energy of the city, while her Tennessee shack serves as a haven for music creation and connecting with nature. She likens plants to pets, nurturing them as she travels:

"I have plants... I put bottles in there to feed them." ([22:50]).

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Touring and Upcoming Performances

Valerie June is actively touring to promote her new album, with a special mention of her upcoming performance at Town Hall on May 6.

Town Hall Performance

At [24:12], she expresses excitement about performing at Town Hall, a venue rich in history and aesthetic beauty. She likens the experience to feeling "almost famous," reminiscent of the movie Almost Famous.

Tour Highlights

Her tour spans the United States, from the East Coast's Richmond and Connecticut to the Midwest's Chicago and Detroit, and finally the West Coast's San Diego to Seattle. Valerie June cherishes the connection with nature during these travels, visiting places like Muir Woods and observing the diverse flora:

"I go to Muir Woods... I just love watching the plants change as I move across the country." ([24:12]).

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Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with Valerie June performing "Love Me Annie," showcasing her musical prowess and the soulful depth of her new album. Alison Stewart underscores the thematic richness of Owls, Omens and Oracles and celebrates Valerie June's multifaceted artistry as she continues to inspire through both music and poetry.

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Notable Quotes

• "Beauty is political, especially in this time where we face so much with the environment and the climate..." ([06:35])
• "Don't be afraid to ask. Even if the person says no, just go for it." ([11:34])
• "I'm not gonna sound like everybody on the radio. I'm probably not gonna get played much on mainstream radio. I don't mind that. But, you know, I'm gonna be me." ([12:05])
• "Joy is a practice and we have to have joy in our day. Doesn't necessarily mean you're happy, but it means you got joy in your heart." ([14:29])

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Valerie June's appearance on All Of It offers an intimate glimpse into the mind of a multifaceted artist deeply connected to nature, heritage, and authentic expression. Her live performances, combined with thoughtful discussions, make this episode a must-listen for those seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of contemporary culture and creativity.

Transcript

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[Valerie June]

Listener Supported WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Singer songwriter Valerie June has built a reputation for weaving elements of folk, blues, gospel and soul into her music. Now she's returned with her latest album, Owls, Omens and Oracles. Produced by folk musician M. Ward. The 14 track album features vocals from the Blind Boys of Alabama to Norah Jones. It also features an ex from Valerie's book Maps for the Modern World, which is a collection of poems and original illustrations about cultivating community. Perfect for National Poetry Month, Owls, Omens and Oracles was released on April 11th. And with me now in studio is Valerie June to perform a special live performance and to discuss the album's inspiration. By the way, she will also be at the Town hall on Tuesday, May 6. I am so happy to see you in person.

[Valerie June]

Happy to see you in person. Last time was on the phone.

[Alison Stewart]

I know. In person's better. Yeah, in person is better. Tell us about the first song we're going to hear, Endless Tree.

[Valerie June]

Endless Tree is a song of togetherness. Trees have a hidden language that connects them to one another, whether they be a cypress, a willow, an oak, or an elm. And I think that we can learn a lot from nature. We can learn a lot from plants. They're old, they're wise, they're gorgeous, they're beautiful. And so they guided me to this song and I'm sharing the message with you.

[Alison Stewart]

This is Valerie June with Endless Tree.

[Valerie June]

Are you ready to see a world where we could all be free? As branches of an endless tree.

May.

You seek and find it Although we may not all agree still live together peacefully Watching the news almost every night Telling the stories of all that ain't right but what could be done From a house and home Sink on the sofa and feel so alone Getting the courage to do something small within the spirits of all that you saw Feeling the tiniest spark in your heart Cause only an invert can light up the dark. Are you ready to see a world where we could all be free as.

Branches Living in the tree and may.

You seek and find it Although we may not all agree still live together.

Peacefully.

Are you ready? Are you ready? People get it. People get it.

People Keep reading.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Tell me, my brother, how love goes around Neighbor to deep a recreated town City to country Nation is formed Beauty and the number one Just like the moon and just like the sun. So if you're on the couch and you're feeling alone May you feel moved after hearing this song. Are you ready to see? Well, we could all be free as.

Branches of an endless it and may.

See can find it Although we may not all agree still leave together peacefully Are you ready? Are you ready? People get it, People get it People.

Get rid.

Say Are you ready? I wanna be ready I wanna be ready I wanna be ready Ready to see wow. We could all be free as branches.

Have been in last tree.

And may.

We seek and find it Although we may not all agree still live together Peace, Folly.

[Alison Stewart]

That was beautiful. That was Valerie June off her new album, Owls, Omens and Oracles with endless Trees. You started telling us before you performed that about how we could learn so much from the trees. When you think about nature and you think about it as an inspiration, what is it about nature that's inspiring to you?

[Valerie June]

Well, first off, beauty. And, you know, my aunt ran for Congress a few years ago in Indiana. She didn't win, but I was invited out to be singer at a fundraiser for her. And she was asking me about politics in my music. And I said, well, really, my number one way of being political is singing about beautiful things. And I don't really, like, do much besides that. And she said, well, everything's political. Beauty is political. Everything. And it kind of like hit me that, yes, beauty is political, especially in this time where we face so much with the environment and the climate and everything, you know, trees and nature. Just simply being a gorgeous daffodil or a tulip on the street is an act of beauty, but also a political force. And so learning that from my great aunt helps me to see how beauty connects to the way we interact with each other and how we can learn a lot from our wise teachers, these ancient trees that are around us all the time. So I like to visit forests up and down the coast and all over the world wherever I go to learn from them.

[Alison Stewart]

It also sounds like your aunt's a great mentor.

[Valerie June]

She is, Believe it or not, she is so. She's so gentle. Thank God for that. But she's a great mentor.

[Alison Stewart]

The album's title is Owls, Omens and Oracles. It sounds sort of. Sort of mystical, a little bit spiritual, if you like that. What's behind the album's title.

[Valerie June]

Well, in Tennessee, I have a place on my family land and we've been there for 30 years. My family and I see all kinds of animals because there's a pond behind our house and we have like muskrats and snakes and frogs and everything you can imagine. Never have I seen an owl until the last year and a half. I'm talking 30 years and no owl. But the last year and a half, three times I was visited by an owl. And I was just like, okay, I have to figure out what is this owl messenger trying to tell me? So I looked it up in many different ways. And the first thing is that they represent wisdom. And then they represent being able to see in the darkness. And they carry a mystery. They have excellent vision. And so I started to really see. What does that mean for me personally, but what does it also mean for us as human beings and the way that we can move through or navigate any dark times we might be facing collectively and individually? So that's what the owl represents to me.

[Alison Stewart]

It's so interesting. My late mom, in her college yearbook.

Had a little owl, a little pen drawn owl underneath her. And people have given me owls. I love that I have an owl on my bookshelf. I have them all over my house. It's so interesting to hear that it went to you. You saw it three times?

[Valerie June]

Yes, three times. And by the third time I was like, okay, when I see something three times, because I do follow signs in my life from a rainbow to a butterfly to sometimes bad omens too, like that mojo and juju from old blues singers. They got the hoodoo and the mojo and I'm all about studying that. And so when I saw it three times, I was like, okay, I gotta. I have a lesson here. And then this weekend I was touring in Richmond, Virginia, and I walked into a vintage shop because I like to do that when I'm on the road. And there were all these owl necklaces and rings and stuff. And the lady was like, yeah, what do you call a group of owls? And I couldn't think of it off the top of my head, but it's called a wisdom. Isn't that cool? I mean, it's just the simplest thing, but it matters new every day.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Valerie June.

Her new album is Owls, Omens and Oracles. When you sat down to think about this album, what challenges did you make for yourself? This album I'm going to. What? I'm going to challenge myself. How?

[Valerie June]

Well, I'm gonna challenge Myself to finally be brave enough to reach out to a musician that I admire and respect and have been a fan for years. M Word. And. And if he says no, he says no, but if he says yes, he says yes. So the first time I mentioned it to him was at Newport Folk Festival. We were both on the same day on the same bill. And I said, em, I would love for you to produce the record for me sometime. And he said, oh, yeah, I'm down. And he very well could have said no, because I've received a lot of rejections from collaborations in the past. So I was scared, even with Nora. Nora Jones is on the record, and she's very good friends with Em and me. And I could have asked her myself, but I was nervous. So I said, em, do you mind asking Nora if she'll sing on this song? And she said, absolutely, I'll sing on Sweet Things.

[Alison Stewart]

So what did you learn about yourself from those two lessons?

[Valerie June]

Don't be afraid to ask. Even if the person says no, just go for it. Because it doesn't end a friendship or anything. People are busy, and maybe. I don't know why I was so nervous about receiving a yes or a no.

[Alison Stewart]

A lot of musicians, music critics, use the word warm or sincere in your singing voice, how did you develop comfort in singing the way you do, in your warmth, in your sincerity, how did you develop comfort and confidence?

[Valerie June]

Really, I feel the most confident in my voice now than I ever have. Many years were spent when I first started singing in public, just trying to fit my voice into what was heard on the radio or what was acceptable for people or palatable. And I then started to really notice what voices I gravitated toward. And I gravitated toward people like Tom Waits or Karen Dalton or Joanna Newsom or Memphis Minnie. And they have, like, shrill, kind of squeaky, kind of edgy, kind of make you feel something, voices. Even my favorite songs from Etta James aren't the polished ones. They're the gritty ones. And so I think we need beautiful, polished, gorgeous voices. I love those. I have a lot of them, even on this record with Blind Boys and many. But we also need voices that, like, reflect the imperfections and emotion and just make us feel some rawness and make it break our hearts open sometimes make us ask the question, do like that.

Or don't I like that. How do I feel?

Do I feel something today? And just being really in our feelings and our emotions in a song is something that takes me away and captivates me. So I felt like okay. I'm not gonna sound like everybody on the radio. I'm probably not gonna get played much on mainstream radio. I don't mind that. But, you know, I'm gonna be me. And I just fully walked into it with this record and I just said, you know what? On a song like trust the path I'm singing, we took everything live and there crack and a break in my breath and in my voice, and we didn't throw it out. We actually absolutely loved that. I cannot repeat it ever again. That moment is just like this photograph in time vocally. And so having those moments is what really I like about an album and I like about voices.

[Alison Stewart]

You also have the confidence to just be you.

[Valerie June]

Yeah, right. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

When you're young, kind of you sort of shift. You try to fit in, but as you get older, you understand, like, I'm me, and if you like it, great. If you don't, there's other stuff.

[Valerie June]

There's true. That's why there's so much great music in the world for people to enjoy.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's hear another tune we'd like to hear. Joy Joy. Tell us a little bit about this before we hear it.

[Valerie June]

Well, I really enjoy singing Joy Joy because it's kind of like a mantra for me these days. I need to. I wake up in the morning mean whoo. I wake up mean until I get my 10 cups of tea, you don't want to see me now. Grumpy and grouchy. But then as I go through the day, I realize joy is a practice and we have to have joy in our day. Doesn't necessarily mean you're happy, but it means you got joy in your heart.

There is daylight you can see that he's wanting to be free Deep inside the treasure Spirit guide There is a light you can find if you stop to take the time know when it's right Rise and shine the seas report the stars alarm where you find that joy? Joy in your soul you find that.

Joy joy in your soul.

You find that joy Joy in your soul where you're fine that joy that Jordan. Jordy. Jordan.

Dad.

Jordy. Joy. And when you feel you're not enough as you sophur open hard and rough A golden seed beneath dark soul to seek the sun is often rough and when you flower no, not the air Nether praise and superpower nephervescence from below no one can tell just trust and grow May you find that joy Joy in your soul may you find it May you find that joy Joy in.

Your soul where you find it you.

Find that joy joy in your soul you find that joy that joy that joy that joy that joy that joy that joy. That was a day not long ago.

When I thought I'd lost my glow.

Twas looking out at everything Twas on a tightrope balancing the windy came and knocked me off Then I feel in tea stream the weeds reflect my inner growth. I found that joy, joy in my soul.

I found that joy, joy in my.

Soul May you find it Found that.

Joy, joy in my soul.

Where you find day you find that joy, joy in your soul.

Oh, you.

Found that joy There is a life you can see that it's funing to be free.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Valerie June. Her new album is titled Owls, Omens and Oracles. It's National Poetry Month.

That's an amazing thing.

[Valerie June]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

Also, considering your album has excerpts from your poems and your illustrations titled Maps.

For the Modern World.

How does poet do you write poetry? How does it help you as a musician?

[Valerie June]

Wow. Well, I do write poetry. I just started writing poetry. My father died. That was about six years ago. Before that, I only wrote songs. And I get songs as I do other things. So I need to be busy to write songs. I can't really just sit down and write a song and say, I'm gonna write a song today. No, I need to be driving, I need to be cleaning, I need to be folding clothes or sleeping sometimes, whatever. They come and I stop what I'm doing when they come and I sing with sung to me. They come with melodies. They come sung to me. Like you turn on the radio and someone sings to you. That's how they sing in my head. And so when I started to get poems, I was like at first very confused because it was a voice and it wasn't singing. It was more like just a rhythmic tone of spoken word. And so I started writing it down and I got like 150 or 200 of them. And I was like, these are poems. They have absolutely no melody. They're only spoken word. And I hear them. And so after I got a collection of them, I gave them to my friends. And she's a New York Times best selling author, Amanda Lucidon. And she said, well, I love these. I'm going to give them to my agent. And she gave them to her agent. Her agent gave them to the publishing company. And they absolutely loved them enough to put them out. So I illustrated 100 illustrations and put the poems together with the illustration similar to Shel Silverstein or Rupi Kaur. And I'm on the same publishing company with Rupi and taking the Bangus and different creatives like that. So I really. I love having that side to my life. And I know the difference because of how I received the piece.

[Alison Stewart]

Had you ever had that voice, that poetry voice come to you before?

[Valerie June]

No. Really started when my father passed. Yeah. So that was a different. And at first, when it started to come, I was like, am I not gonna get any more songs? Has it changed for me? But no, I still get songs, too. And I. Some of the songs on this record are old. They're like maybe 20 years, 15 years old to me. Others are one year or two years older to me because I just write when I receive things, and it just goes in my collection. And then when I get ready to make a. I look at what's jumping off the page, and I pull the ones that are like, me, me, me, and I put them together. And then I go back after I made the record, which is probably not so smart. I probably should do this before. But I say, well, what's the theme? And that's when I get the title.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you feel that the poetry came from your father?

[Valerie June]

Maybe. Maybe he opened, I think, a door for many of my other ancestors, too, because after that, grand passed, and then my Uncle Jane and my best friend of 20 years, and I feel like a very connectedness to my spirits in the other world, where there'll be a street sign or there'll be, like a butterfly, or there'll be some signs that I know that their presence is still with me. And maybe they opened it up so that now I hear from my other ancestors that I didn't know that I have some pictures of which I've posted on Instagram, and different things. My ancestors who would have been enslaved, which is a treasure to have those photos, because many of our lives were so displaced in the African American community that we don't have that history. So I post and share some of those stories about my family, and I hope that. I really hope that some of the voices are from my own family line.

[Alison Stewart]

Where do you call home now?

[Valerie June]

I call home Brooklyn and Tennessee. I go back and forth, and I have for the last decade between Bed Stuy and Humboldt, Tennessee, my little shack by the pond.

[Alison Stewart]

What happens to you in your little shack by the pond in Humboldt, Tennessee?

[Valerie June]

Well, really, it's so tiny, you know, sharecropping shacks where, like, you know, they kind of look like they've fallen apart and have shotgun, you know, one railroad style. So in there, there's not really much room to do anything but play my guitar and make tea and look out the window at all the animals that come to visit.

[Alison Stewart]

What's that like for you, living in such a city environment and a country environment?

[Valerie June]

I love it. It's been a while actually that my life has been divided like that. Pretty much since I moved to New York. I've had kept my life separated in the countryside. And I need it. I found I need it because I love fashion and I love, like just being able to walk out on the street in New York and be inspired just from looking at people. And also the accessibility of, oh my God, I need something that color right now. Socks, a ring, something. And going and finding something that's got a magical color to it that we don't always have in my area. So it's really nice to have that. But in the area I'm at, I can go out and collect clovers, which I have a nice four leaf clover collection. I can grow the plants that I want to grow in the actual ground and put my fingers in the ground, which doesn't really happen much up here. But I do have a lot of plants up here too. I have a lot of plants. I love plants. Plants are kind of like my animals because people are like, do you have pets? I'm like, no, I'm on the road too much. I have plants and I put bottles in there to feed them. And I have a partner and my mom that helped me with the plants as well.

[Alison Stewart]

So you're gonna be on tour. You're gonna be at the town hall on May 6. Tell me a little bit about the tour.

[Valerie June]

Well, I cannot wait to be at Town hall because that venue is gorgeous. It's one of the most gorgeous venues that I have ever performed at. And I love the history of it being the lecture hall and all the musicians who've come through there. So when I go there, this will be, I think, my second or third time at Town Hall. I always think, oh, my God, I think I'm almost famous. You know that movie, Almost Famous? I feel like this when I go up in there and it's so exciting. And then from there we're gonna go up north and we'll be all in Maine and Connecticut in different areas. And then we'll come back and we'll go to the middle of, like to Chicago, Detroit, all the way down to Louisville, Nashville, Iowa, and all in the middle. And then we'll go on the west coast and we'll start in San Diego and end in Seattle. And I love that west coast drive that is. That, to me, is my nature connection. I go to Muir woods when I'm out there. I go visit all of the redwood trees. I go visit Douglas firs over there on the West Coast. And I just love watching the plants change as I move across the country and the world. And so that's pretty much been the joy of my life for the last, I would say, maybe a little more than a decade. I've been able to tour and explore live out of my suitcase. You're like, where do you live? I'm like, let me think about that for three days on the road. I'm all over this place.

[Alison Stewart]

The name of the album is Owls, Omens and Oracles. My guest has been Valerie June. You're gonna play us out on a song. What are we gonna hear?

[Valerie June]

Wow. Well, I guess I'll play you another one. I played you Joy Joy. I played you Endless Tree and Love Me Annie.

[Alison Stewart]

Ol West.

[Valerie June]

Yep, I'm doing it.

[Alison Stewart]

All right on it. She's doing it.

[Valerie June]

And at Town hall, we're gonna have the horn showing out on this one. We got the best horn players in the world.

No matter where fog may stay.

Me any love me when I am down Love me when I weak Especially when I'm in need.

Don'T pack your bags.

And try to leave Just love me anywhere.

Any reason you feel.

The mini highway.

Just a small galley tree.

Don'T.

Try to make it all just right don't shine the rest to hide the light Just be true and keep it real oh, a heart that aches it is a heart heart that feels Love.

Me when I am broke When I'm lost and seeking help in the darkness hold my hand Tell you undistang slow and it we that you feel the longer we treat as it.

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