Valerie June
The 30 Best Albums of 2021 (So Far)
Despite what some “best of” blurb intros may tell you, there is no exact science to list-making. And constructing one so methodically just might ruin the joy altogether — for both us, the curators, and you, the readers. Even though debate is a natural reaction, anger is not. These stories are supposed to be fun! And hopefully unique — who wants to read the exact same list at every publication? Sure, SPIN’s Best Albums of 2021 (So Far) does feature some of the year’s biggest buzz bands. But we hope you’ll also discover some records that slipped through the cracks — and maybe, just maybe, reconsider some LPs you previously dismissed. Let’s meet back here in six months and see how things shake out. Adjective Animal – America’s Got Talons CREDIT: Adjective Animal For over a decade, Jon Bi...
Eddie Vedder, Phoebe Bridgers, Brittany Howard and More to Play Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert
The 34th Annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert announced this year’s lineup, and it includes Eddie Vedder, Phoebe Bridgers, Brittany Howard, Valerie June, Angélique Kidjo, Laurie Anderson, Tenzin Choegyal, and Rubin Kodheli. The event will take place virtually—instead of its usual venue of Carnegie Hall—on Feb. 17 and will begin with a personal message from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Tickets are on sale, ranging from $25 to $50, and unique sponsor level cyber-tables start at $5,000. Information on all available packages is here. It will be streaming via Mandolin, a livestream site that has been aiding artists in the difficult task of connecting with fans during the pandemic. Some past participants of Tibet House US Benefit Concert include Alabama Shakes, Patti Smith, Carly Simo...
Jim James, Colin Meloy, Valerie June and More Cover Burt Bacharach in Newport Folk Fest Livestream Finale
With live shows currently on the shelf indefinitely, the only way to experience the collaborative nature of a festival is (sadly) through a livestream. One of the best of the year so far was what the Newport Folk Festival put together. The Rhode Island-based event put together some great collaborations, including a befitting finale. My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, the Decemberists’ Colin Meloy, Julien Baker, Lucius, Grace Potter, Warren Haynes, Zola, Valerie June and many, many more covered Burt Bacharach’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” As you’d expect, all of the artists recorded their parts while at home in quarantine. What the World Needs Now is Love from Newport Folk Festival on Vimeo. The tender version of the song was a reminder of what this y...
