At several points during Valerie June’s Studio Milwaukee Session, one of our very favorite artists (and people) stretched both legs toward the crowd — seemingly frustrated by the fact that she couldn’t simultaneously sit in a chair, play her guitar and reach out to connect with the audience.
June’s music is wonderful all by itself. But if all you do is listen to her songs, you’re only getting a slice of the soul-lifting experience you could be having. Fortunately, we can get you closer to the whole thing through the player at the top of the page.
When you hit play, you’ll hear how June can change the vibe of an entire room with the spirit she brings to the stage. It’s warm, welcoming, unflinching and unapologetic (encapsulated by the glasses she was rocking for the occasion). Although, as she explained right after opening her set with “Joy, Joy!” from new album Owls, Omens, and Oracles, it wasn’t something she always had inside her.
“I sure think we all have the light inside that we can share if we so choose, and I came to Earth to shine bright,” she explained. “I used to get scared to shine, but not anymore. I learned from the trees to be fearless in the way that I shine.”
If you need encouragement to take those words to heart, check out the photos from June’s performance on an appropriately sunny afternoon. People can’t help but be drawn to her energy, as evidenced by the biggest crowd we’ve had at Studio Milwaukee in recent memory. They spilled out of the performance space and into the Andrew Wadsworth Community Room, smiles on their faces and contentment in their hearts as June wove her magic.
You can hear the full performance June put on prior to her Thursday night show at the Vivarium by hitting the “Listen” button above. And if you want the complete Valerie June experience the next time she’s in town, hop over to our membership page and see how to score a seat to every single one of our Studio Milwaukee Sessions.
