Quotes from Valerie June

When I first moved to New York, I was still returning to Tennessee every few months to perform.

My signature fragrance would be herbal - basil mixed with rosemary and coriander. Some big stars have got perfume lines that smell really bad. They've got it all wrong.

Even though I like looking good - don't get me wrong - but if I don't want to, I don't have to.

I met PJ Harvey when I was in England, and the first thing I want to do when I meet a songwriter I admire is to ask them how do they receive songs.

I know a lot of people that don't pray or anything, and that's fine - but I need to. I don't even want to call it prayer, I just want to call it talking to something bigger than me.

My music confuses people because they think I will sound a certain way because I look a certain way with the dreads.

My number one style requirement is to have fun getting dressed. Nothing is too old, expensive, cheap, cute or ugly for me.

As I try to get around with a guitar, a banjo and a suitcase of high heels and dresses, I treasure that little ukulele.

My voice is who I am, who I was when I was 3, and who I am going to be when I am 90 years old. When I hit the stage and people do not know who I am, they automatically assume, before I open my mouth, I am going to sing a Bob Marley song!

Amalgamation is a good word that I like to use - musically and in every way.

I don't care if you're Muslim or Christian or Buddhist or whatever your religion is, when you listen to a spiritual song and you really open your heart, you can feel it. You can feel the message of it. Just a simple story.

I am a boring loner. I enjoy Friday nights at home in my rocking chair with no arms, rocking and relaxing. It's not uncommon for Netflix to be involved. Records are a possibility, but most of it is spent in silence.

I must stay true to myself and take my own path all the way.

I'm constantly being inspired by the old days and taking things from the past and allowing them to lift me up where I am now.

I'm not really into alternative country - I'm into Patsy Cline, who lived down the street from where I lived, and old Dolly Parton records, Kitty Wells and that old stuff. I like country music. I also like Eric Church, who has a great new sound but also holds onto that old sound.

Memphis held onto me until I was far enough along in my art and then it let me go.

I just let the songs tell me what to do - they are my guides, and they are the boss. So I am subservient to the songs, and I let them tell me what to do. I don't judge them; I just write whatever comes to me.

I am always excited about playing in front of live audiences because I really enjoy it, for the most part.

I don't marry bandmates just to go marrying bandmates.

I think it's funny how people get confused when they think about church music, because a lot of times there is a soloist who stands out, but my church wasn't like that at all.