Bio

For the past two decades, Queen V has been a mainstay of the New York music scene. Since her early days playing iconic clubs like CBGB and Don Hill’s, she’s cultivated her own sound – while learning from and collaborating with numerous music legends along the way. Throughout the 2000s, she opened for Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Billy Idol, Alice in Chains, and others. By the time V recorded her 2013 album, The Decade of Queen V, she was writing and recording with musical giants like Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), and Lemmy Kilmister (Mötorhead).

An independent artist from the very beginning, V always held a self-empowerment ethos. So in 2014, she decided to embark on a new career direction, moving from her hard rock roots to writing on piano and acoustic guitar for the first time in several years. In this transition she rediscovered an even more powerful way to use her voice. The result was her 2016 EP, Bridges, recorded at the Foo Fighters’ renowned Studio 606 with producer John Lousteau. This album opened the floodgates to V’s most soulful and personal musical period to date.

Over the next couple of years, V began making frequent trips to Nashville to expand and evolve both her sound and songwriting. She also connected with Grammy winner Chad Carlson during this time, with Carlson ultimately producing her 2017 EP, Bridges Vol. 2.

V then returned to New York to begin recording Bridges Vol. 3, again with Carlson at the helm as producer, infusing the album with the city’s unique energy. Once the pandemic struck in 2020, recording had to be temporarily shelved, so V switched gears, launching a streaming acoustic concert series, Live From the Den. V also took this time to focus on creating music videos for Bridges Vol. 3 singles “Alone,” “Honest,” “Like You Do,” and “Strong,” as well as a new take on Bridges’ “Slip Away.” 

Although COVID briefly put in-person live performances on hold, V was back onstage by the end 2021 for her annual Fall Ball. The arrival of 2022 signaled a big year for V, seeing her return to the stage in full force, and releasing the final piece of the Bridges trilogy, the new full-length Bridges Vol. 3. In addition to her Spring Fling and the Bridges Vol. 3 release party at Atlantic Bkln, V had the honor of performing at Celebrity Care Fest 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At this event, V opened for and sat in with legendary acts the Temptations, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, and the Jacksons.

The career milestones kept coming in 2023: V performed the National Anthem at Guaranteed Rate Field ahead of the Chicago White Sox-New York Yankees game. She also hosted her inaugural Summer Soiree at Rockwood Music Hall, followed by the first-ever vinyl release of any of her music, a limited-edition pressing of Bridges Vol. 3.

But one of the most indelible moments of the year for V was the release of her music video for “Write Your Song,” off Bridges Vol. 3. The track pays tribute to V’s late father, a Korean War veteran who immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island. V had the privilege of filming the “Write Your Song” video on location at the historic National Monument, which amplifies the song’s connection to all American immigrant families. The video premiered at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 2 following a special acoustic performance from V. This would be one of the final shows at the famed NYC venue.

As Queen V readies to start a new chapter in her career, her fans can look forward to more raw, honest music and powerful performances in 2024. V kicked things off on February 8 by singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl LVIII Celebrity Flag Football Game at the NFL Experience Field in Las Vegas. She is also in the process of planning future live shows, as well as curating her first live album. 

Stay tuned to QueenV.com, as well as V's Instagram, Facebook, and X for updates on live shows, streams, and new releases.

Live Photo: Melinda Oswandel