We caught up with Valencia Grace as she prepares for a run of live shows and the next phase of her rapidly growing project.
Valencia Grace is a very exciting prospect indeed. The multi-instrumentalist and highly impressive vocalist has channelled a deep-rooted passion for musical theatre into dark, gothic pop and has created her own magical and enchanting world. Valencia’s music is wonderfully dramatic but crucially, it is also super catchy.
Songs such as the current single, “Lucky You’re a Star”, “Everything Reminds Me of You’ and best of all “Super Elastic”, are arresting and commanding. Nothing about Valencia Grace’s output blends into the background (there is certainly no ‘beige’ or ‘wallpaper’ going on here) – every second of every song demands your attention. Valencia’s strong visual presence in terms of personal image and performance in promo videos very much adds to the allure. It seems that we have reached that tantalising point in an artist’s career where you get the distinct impression that the rocket is about to blast off.
Valencia tells me she is starting to feel the love!
“It feels amazing! I’m ecstatic, I really am. I’m so happy that this music is now connecting with everyone so much – I really wanted to honour the musical theatre kid in me and to have such a great reaction is very satisfying. I’m also so excited to be bringing it all to the stage now with my live shows coming up. “
The upcoming run of live shows in the US will give Valencia’s quickly growing army of fans the chance to witness what will be very physical and visceral performances from an artist who even when laying down a brief idea or demo delivers a vocal that sounds like her life depended on it! Such operatic vocal acrobatics and intense interpretation will be magnified in a live setting and of course will require actual physical effort – this is singer who practices vocals on a treadmill! “
“Yes, I have a treadmill in my little home studio! I sing when I’m on there and that’s like training for the shows and for my voice in general. I mean, this new music is so challenging! Every single time I write a song and I record it, I think, ‘damn, why do I make this so difficult for myself!’
So, what I do really does take practice but it’s such fun. I also have a mindset though which I’ve had from the start that nothing has to be perfect. I never really strive for perfection …I always looked up to Amy Winehouse in terms of how she approached her performances and they were very raw and natural. Although my project is very theatrical, I still want it to be that raw and soulful.”
That quest for perfect imperfection has driven musicians creatively crazy for decades but something I really like about Valencia Grace’s music is the fact that nothing is understated or undercooked – these songs are thrilling …and full to the brim with drama, emotion and adventure.
“I think we need more drama in music,” explains Valencia, ”and I have so many different voices and characters in my songs that I need to let loose. There is a strong sense of opera in there too – people always ask me if I’ve done any operatic training, but I haven’t. I just like to sing operatically over pop music, and I think it sounds modern and cool.
I work on my material with my creative partner CJ Baran who is really alternative and theatrical as well so it’s a really great pairing and CJ helps me to translate all the sounds and characters in my head into songs.”
Those characters and theatrics in the songs will hopefully be also physically embodied very soon as Valencia has ambitious plans for the future.
“The goal is to eventually have my live show akin to a full musical theatre production.
I’d like to include actors, dancers and storylines. Those influences will be there in the upcoming shows for which I have so many ideas but I’m hoping to take it to the next phase soon. I’m so looking forward to doing dates in the UK and all over Europe the first chance I get, and I want to do hundreds of shows, I’m so excited for everyone to see what I do! “
I think it’s only a matter of time before this artist is adored internationally. Apart from her obvious talent, Valencia Grace is also engaging and charming.
Oh .. and she has promised to make me a clay ornament for my mantelpiece …and for that alone she gets my vote!
JK
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