Valerie June Shares Shimmering Pop-Soul Gem “Friendship” Feat. Carla Thomas and Stax Music Academy

Visionary singer-songwriter Valerie June has shared a shimmering pop-soul gem, Friendship (Feat. Carla Thomas and Stax Music Academy). The song, which originally appeared on Pop Staples’ posthumas LP, 2015’ Don’t Lose This (produced by Jeff Tweedy and Mavis Staples), celebrates unconditional love, the eternal promise of true friendship. For this new version, in celebration of her hero Mavis Staples’ upcoming 85^th birthday, June enlisted another close friend and mentor, Stax soul legend Carla Thomas as well as the talented students at Stax Music Academy.

Valerie June spoke about Friendship (Feat. Carla Thomas and Stax Music Academy) via press release stating: “Without Mavis and Carla, the students would not have the Stax Music Academy or the rich legacy they’ve paved for the community to thrive through educating the next generation of musicians. The song was unreleased while Pops Staples was alive. To have a dear friend like Carla sing it in celebration of another queen—Mavis—is a full circle gift.”