Hey Valerie! Can you tell us where you’re from?
I am originally from Southern California where I grew up in a little suburb town called Newbury Park. As of now, I have lived in Ogden, Utah the past almost 7 years. I am happily married with two sphynx kitties. Just surviving, thriving and being creative.
We noticed on Spotify that your earliest release was in 2011! How long have you been pursuing music and how has your music grown and transformed over the years?
I have been a musician and singer-songwriter since I was in grade school, but I have actively been pursuing music since I was in the Army in the early 2000s. When I was 4 or 5 years of age, I started writing stories with my drawings, but I could hear music in my mind all the time. I would tell my mom that I could hear orchestras in my head. I still wake up in the middle of the night hearing a song idea and needing to hum it into a recorder. I am sure you can all relate.
I wrote short little ditties as a child, on piano or acapella, then professionally recorded my first pop song when I was 12. Music became an escape for me since I was severely bullied growing up. I used to hide in the piano room during social gatherings and all throughout high school. I would compose piano new age, classically influenced songs of just instrumental. I went straight into the military after high school and would still chase every musical opportunity I could find, from joining my first alternative rock band with other soldiers, to auditioning and making it into the USA Express band, where I had the opportunity to raise the morale for the soldiers on a tour in the middle east overseas. It was through that experience, that I knew I wanted to keep pursuing music. After being honorably discharged, I found my voice and experienced enough heartache to begin my journey of songwriting. My songs have grown tremendously over the years. I think my first big song I wrote in my early 20s, was 10 minutes long! I performed it at my first open mic and it would not end. It had two bridges in there lol. That very song, I finally recorded a decade later, is called, “What Am I Supposed to Do.” Even the title is long, but I have always felt it was an important and personal song to me. It is my “Me too” song about being caught up in my first bad relationship, that was also a musical relationship which led to much heartache. I have always been Alternative, but I tend to enjoy blending genres with trip-hop and pop into what I am calling trip-pop. I am still chiseling away to get those professional recordings finished and a fancy album that isn’t just DIY, but I have nearly well over 100 songs. In the meantime, I prefer pushing out single releases to gain some more followers before the album.
We'd like to congratulate you for winning Best Original Song for the indie film “Affective” at the Venice Italy International Film Festival for “This is My Day." The music video has also garnered 11.5k views on YouTube already. Can you tell us more about your latest single? We love the positive vibe it gives out.
The story behind this song: "This Is My Day," is an alternative psychedelic indie rock song, that I wrote, produced and recorded. I submitted earlier this year of 2020 to be a songwriter for the independent film, "Affective," directed by Kody Newton. It was a post in the Utah Filmmakers group page. I asked him what he was looking for in his movie. Newton said he wanted something upbeat and happy like the song, "Just Another Day" by Paul McCartney. For an entire day, I studied Paul McCartney's song and the Beatles, slept on it, and came up with This Is My Day," in one hour early the next morning. I sent over just a bad recording draft of it and Newton and his team loved it! From there, I hired guitarist Chris Henderson and drummer Tony Lemon of Lunar Dream Music & Entertainment, to record and produce on my song. Then I took the song to be mastered by Wes Thompson, who also masters Post Malone. The music video was produced and directed by Preston Lange of Britelite Productions and filmed at Vega Media Studios in SLC. The success of this song so far, has brought me inspiration to carry on my 60's vibrant image. I am all about bringing positivity into yourself and others. "This Is My Day," is about overcoming the control of someone and becoming your own person. Winning Best Original Song for a film, is my first award and biggest step I have ever accomplished in songwriting. I just keep hearing a little voice in my head saying, “Keep going! Keep going!” So, this can’t be just it haha! I have also been reached out to, to have my song in another upcoming indie film called, “Avocado Toast.” I think that is a sign, that I need to make more songs like this. ((sighs))
Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Female Indie Musicians Community?
Just that I think you all rock and you inspire me every day that I stream your songs. Keep pursuing your goals in music one step at a time and little surprises are guaranteed along the way. I think of them as… a gift for your gift in your talents of music. You are already living the dream no matter how far it takes you. That’s all that really matters, is that you are living your dream for you regardless of what anyone thinks. The right people will cling on to what you are doing. I also love a good co-write, if any of you ladies are interested! We can exchange recordings and make magic happen. I not only write for my own songs but when I can scoop up a friend with talent, I won’t hesitate to produce them and throw them into the spotlight. Teeheehee ((giggles)) Love you ALL!
Comments
Post a Comment