Manhattanite Lonesome Val first came to national and critical attention in 1988, when her country- and folk-tinged tunes got her named Musician Magazine's Best Unsigned Artist of the Year. But Val went through a difficult breakup which left her musical career in shambles until she met Roches member Suzzy Roche. The two started playing together, and Roche helped Val make a demo tape. The Bar/None record label was impressed enough to ask for an entire album from Val, which Roche produced and played guitar on. The result, NYC, was released in the summer of 1994. ~ Steve Huey