Project Description
Interview with
VALENCIA JAMES
Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs
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How did you first get into music and songwriting? When did that become a serious concern for you?
I started writing poetry as a child and into my teenage years. I didn’t realise I could turn it into music until I was into my early 20s and I haven’t stopped writing songs since.
What kind of music did you grow up on? Which artists inspired you?
I actually wasn’t allowed to listen to a lot growing up except for artists like Celine Dion, so I had all of her albums. I would sneak a radio and record songs on a cassette tape/burn a cd. So I would listen to anything from Nirvana to DMX to Mariah Carey to Nsync and Backstreet Boys. I’ve listened to every genre possible, so I would say they’ve all influenced me in a way.
Some people think genres are limiting, while others embrace them. Where do you stand?
I definitely don’t believe genres are limiting. I believe everyone wants to hear something that’s catchy and interesting and there’s a billion different ways to go about it. It’s funny how people describe pop, but it really only means popular and artists like Billie Eilish are changing the definition all the time.
How would you describe your sound?
That’s an interesting one. For my debut single, “Flames”, I would describe it as aggressive electronic pop/dark pop, but I believe that a sound of a song should reflect the emotion being conveyed to the best of its ability.
Who are your major music influences?
Another hard question to answer, but everything I grew up listening to would be major music influences. But more recently I would say artists such as Lorde, SIA, Dua Lipa, always Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Halsey, Khalid, Ed Sheeran, and the Weekend.
What inspired your debut single, ‘Flames’?
I originally wrote it thinking of how a relationship can be destroyed so fast and comparing it to the destructive nature of flames. And then I used the inspiration of my mom’s house burning down in the infamous Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Myself and my family lost almost all of our photos and memories from growing up and my mom and most of my siblings lost almost everything they owned. It happened within only a few hours, so it shows how quickly flames can destroy things just like our words and actions can destroy relationships so fast.
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How does it feel to have received such a warm reception to the song?
Yeah. It feels really worth it that people have really enjoyed the song and have been listening to it. It means so much to me because I know there are so many options for music out there so I’m humbled that people could find a connection to the song.
What’s next for you in 2019? Will you be releasing more music soon?
Well, there’s still more ahead for this song. A few little surprises, and then definitely as much music as I am able to release over the second part of this year. I have so many songs I want to share with the world that I’m really excited about so I’m looking forward to it.
Do you have any plans for live performances in the near future?
I don’t have any specific plans at the moment as I am focusing on having as many songs finished to release as possible, but I have been thinking about it and looking into it. I would love to have a few songs out before I do any live performances, so that is definitely on the table for the near future.
If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
This is always a tough question again, but I’ll go with who’s on my mind at the moment. I think anyone would want to choose Billie Eilish at the moment especially if you create dark pop. She’s the reigning queen of dark pop at the moment.
Where do you hope to be in a years time in your music career?
I would love to have a few singles out and seeing more and more people connecting to the songs and to myself as an artist. I love connecting and that’s really the part I live for.
What are your major goals or milestones for the longer term future?
One of my major goals is to be able to get an album out. I still like the idea of an album especially because I have a few album titles I would love to focus on.
Another goal would be to write with or for some of the artists in the industry I respect.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVORITE:
Album – at the moment it would be thank u next, Ariana Grande-I have to go off what I’ve been listening to the most and it wins at the moment.
Artist – SIA, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Khalid
Movie – LOTR trilogy (I love fantasy based off books when they’re done really well)
Place to visit – Whitsundays or Gold Coast, Queensland
Venue to play – not sure yet…
Food = anything with chicken
Drink – Dr. Pepper (I only drink it once in awhile)
Person in History – too many people to answer this one, but let’s go with Whitney Houston. I would have loved to meet her.
Tattoo – (if you don’t have one, one you would get?) I don’t have one and I haven’t gotten one cause I’m not sure exactly what I’d want. However, it might be an anchor to represent hope and I would probably get it on the back of my neck.
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