Artist of the Day | VALLEYHEART
ARTIST OF THE DAY
31.01.2021
VALLEYHEART
LOCATION
Salem, MA, USA
GENRE
Indie/Alt Rock
CURRENT MEMBERS
Kevin Klein
Filipe Inacio
Chris Babbitt
Zachary Nix
With the current pandemic, the state of the music and touring industry has dramatically changed. Where were you when everything was brought to a halt?
We had just left our first label and were able to press our first album on vinyl. We ended up self releasing it and being able to get it into the hands of our fans was a great feeling.
How has that affected your plans for the coming year? Did you have a tour planned, upcoming album release?
We weren't touring but just writing and preparing for the next chapter of the band. Despite such a dark and weird time, timing wise it didn't change much for us but allowed us to regroup and prepare. I was able to write A LOT of songs. Which allows us now to continue to piece them together and prepare for releases in 2021. I feel, obviously, the music industry in changing and release styles/frequency are also changing - so it felt like an appropriate time to reevaluate a lot of things.
What have you been doing to fill/make the most of your new-found free time at home? How are you supporting your mental health through all of this?
I have spent a lot more time writing and working on music. Which has been such a blessing. I was bartending before this to support myself, but since the pandemic I have been able to learn a lot about recording/mixing/production and have even started mixing others people stuff. I also mixed the new Valleyheart stuff, so that took a-lot of my time initially as well. As for mental health, this is a huge question and one I spend much time thinking about and talking about with my family, partner and friends - I've taken up meditation for the first time and as newagey as it sounds, it's really helped. I've also started yoga and breathe work which has been another layer to that and been just a refresh. I also learned photography which gave me this feeling of being 14 again and picking up a guitar and having no idea what I'm doing and enjoying the novelty of learning. That does wonders for my creativity - looking for inspiration outside of music. FaceTiming a LOT of family and friends to stay connected on their lives and spirits is a huge part of it too. Working out (trying to hehe)
How are dealing with the Covid second wave?
Pretty much extending what I mentioned about the initial wave but trying to implement it in a more discipline and structure way. In the spring and summer, it felt natural to go on walks, shoot photos, and be outside and healthy. I feel the winter is much more of a battle internally to stir up that motivation. But it's totally worth building that energy and finding that groove.
Do you have a message for everyone at home reading this?
DRINK WATER! Literally do not forget.
If you would like to be our next ARTIST OF THE DAY please email us at:
JEN@CONCERTWORKS.CA
