Interview: Valere

How did this all start, did you grow up loving music, singing. Was this always a dream for you?
‍Man, I loved singing from day dot and performed at family parties and the like. Music was always blasting in the house growing up, we had karaoke and concert DVDs. It was always a dream of mine to be a performer, but the songwriting came a bit later when I was an early teen.

Who are your music inspirations? 
‍Right now, I’m very inspired by Sampha and how he’s made such beautiful music while being very discreet about his life/image.

Who are your music idols?
‍Lauryn Hill, Sampha, Blood Orange, Jessy Lanza.

What keeps you motivated?
‍My kids! I gotta get outta bed to keep them alive lol but also my faith keeps me going!

You’ve recently been part of the APRA mentorship programme with Holly Arrowsmith. How did that experience influence your songwriting or perspective as an artist?
‍Holly has been (and is) an incredible person and songwriter and I look up to her a lot. It has been so great to learn how she’s handled balancing family with music and doing so with integrity and passion.

You’ve performed across Australia, the Philippines, and Aotearoa. How does performing in different countries shape your music and connection with audiences?
‍I love being able to see that music transcends culture and that no matter where you live or what language you speak, you can still feel something from a song. It just makes me feel grateful that I get to experience sharing music with people abroad as well as at home.

Let’s talk about your recent EP, Gold Dust, what was some of the inspiration you drew on for it and what are you hoping audiences take away?
‍Gold Dust is all about the early years of marriage and parenthood and how different that was to being single and coming into my own. I spent a lot of time at home and just mulled over the ordinary things of life, as well as grieving an auntie that I lost just after I got married. So it’s a lot about life, death and all the ordinary in between.

How do you approach blending different genres, influences, or cultural experiences into your music?
‍I think I try not to think about it too much and just go with my gut, trusting that I am myself a blend of genres, influences and culture, and so creating from a sense of self will always pull from those different sources. But it also helps to keep being connected to those sources too!

What made you decide to do a makeshift karaoke booth to help support the launch of your new music?
‍My friend and PR extraordinaire Samantha Cheong had the idea! We were going for a karaoke theme for the new single ‘I’ll Tell You When I Know’ and what better way to celebrate than having a makeshift karaoke booth at the show!

What do you have coming up that you can share with us?
‍I’m working on some new music - release dates pending, but I’ve been through a lot of life the last year, and there’s a lot to share.

What burger do you think ‘I’ll Tell You When I Know’ would be if it were on the BF menu?
‍CN Cheese - She’s cute, classic and gives the people what they want!

What would your ideal BF burger contain?
‍An abundance of pickles low key.

Sound Check, Vibe Check

What is your go to song to Jam out to in the car? Anything on Caroline Polachek’s ‘Desire, I Want To Turn Into You’

Who is your favourite artist at the moment? I’m loving Hayley Williams’ new album at the moment!

One thing you can’t perform without? A spoonful or two of honey before getting on stage

One artist or band you would love to co-lab with? Sampha!

Go to BurgerFuel order? I’m a CN Cheese girlie with a side of kumara fries pls

Fire or Backfire?

1. Pickles in burgers - Fire!

2. Crocs - Fire!

3. Karaoke - Fire!

4. BurgerFuel Aioli - FIRE!!

5. Acoustic performances - Fire!

6. NZ Music Month - Fire!

7. Festivals - Fire!

8. Singing in the shower - Fire!

9. Pineapple on pizza - Fire!

10. Supermarket in bare feet - Backfire lol

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Check out Valere's new music HERE and stay up to date on everything she gets up to HERE.

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