@Valeriejune on Working with @MWARDMUSIC #valeriejune #mward

Why It Matters

The collaboration illustrates how authentic fan‑artist connections and unrestricted creative environments can generate innovative music, influencing industry practices around artist partnerships.

Key Takeaways

• Fan turned collaborator after a decade hearing his songs.
• Met through Mavis, then connected at Newport Folk Festival.
• Discovered M.Ward plays drums, keys, and myriad instruments.
• Studio session encouraged free sharing of each artist’s talents.
• Collaboration highlighted importance of genre‑spanning creative freedom in music.

Summary

Valerie June’s video chronicles her transition from a longtime fan of M.Ward to a creative partner, underscoring how organic encounters can spark professional collaborations. She recounts hearing his tracks while working in Memphis cafés, where each song prompted her to pause latte‑making and revel in the moment, a habit that persisted for a decade before they finally crossed paths through mutual friend Mavis.

The turning point arrived at the Newport Folk Festival and Harley Strickley Bluegrass Festival, where June met M.Ward backstage and proposed a joint project. In the studio, she was surprised to learn that the artist is a multi‑instrumentalist—handling guitar, drums, keyboards, and an array of eclectic instruments—creating an environment where no musical boundaries existed. This fluidity allowed both musicians to contribute freely, blurring traditional role expectations.

June highlights moments such as, “I was making a latte when his song played, I had to stop,” and notes M.Ward’s willingness to “dabble in many different instruments,” fostering a rule‑free creative space. Their collaboration exemplifies how mutual admiration and open‑ended experimentation can yield fresh artistic output.

The broader implication is clear: cross‑genre partnerships rooted in genuine fandom and unrestricted studio dynamics can invigorate the music landscape, offering artists new avenues for expression and audiences novel sonic experiences.

Original Description

Valerie June touches on her admiration for Grammy-nominated producer and guitarist M. Ward and what it's like to work with him.