This time on The NAS 10 Questions, we get to know Valeryan, a solo folk artist based in the UK who plays keyboards/synths/guitars- but not all at the same time! With a rich musical history spanning decades, once being part of the famous UK Band “The Settlers” which had a major hit with “The Lightning Tree” Valeryan has much to share with us!
The track “Winter Solstice” is featured on NAS Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
https://www.newartistspotlight.org/playlists
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
I live in UK – I’m an oldie who has been a touring artist in the professional music business on and off for most of my adult life. Currently semi retired but producing my “memoires” in song using Cubase Pro 12 … attitude, a voice and a synthesiser.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
I kept being “discovered” as a singer even when very young – but I thought at 6 surely anyone can do this! Later on playing at folk clubs around London while still at school added to this but I’d realised by then that not everyone COULD sing as I did. …As a dare I auditioned for a UK TV talent show called Opportunity Knocks ……to my surprise I was fast tracked to the TV show where I was the studio winner. This resulting amongst many things in a major recording contract with Decca…… I was still a school kid waiting to go to university and the first song release “My Love Loves Me” reached the bottom of the UK Top 100 . That was how it started – I used my birth name at this time Valerie Anne Lawrence.
π―. Who are your biggest musical influences? How would you describe your style or genre?
My genre nowadays is considered to be folk … but I’ve never come across a folk artist playing synthesizer! In the early days I worked as a solo folk/country cabaret artist and in the middle 70s I was part of the famous UK Band “The Settlers”. The band had a major hit with “The Lightning Tree” which was recorded before I joined them. I had to learn the song in the back of a transit en route to a week of gigging in Taunton, Somerset UK.
In the early days influences were Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins…. later I was just myself – as I am now.
4. What are your goals in the music industry or as an artist?
Just to finish my memories in song for anyone who just might even remember me, and to release the results as I do now as an indie artist. Also to to support other indie artists and to look after the artists I publish with my music publishing company.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I have very little control in truth – the “Muse” takes me over and I feel strongly that IHAVE TO WRITE ….even if I don’t have time to do so! I usually scribble odd lines of lyric on any pieces of paper I can find …. maybe for weeks at a time. My long suffering family have got used to this! Eventually, everything comes together and I get to my studio at the top of my house and start creating the tracking stems for the pilot recording. Once I’m happy with the format of my new song I’ll add a pilot vocal. One of the hardest things to do for me is to know when the mixed song is ready to let go for mastering ……and eventual release. It can be hard to let it go ….
6. What is your all-time favorite song by another artist and why?
Far too many to even chose one …
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
Believe in yourself! There’s no such thing as an overnight success… we’re all products of marketing and if you’re in the right place at the right time, and the face fits you just might get chosen …but only when those who market think they can make money for themselves with some of it coming your way. I was lucky … the TV Talent Show Opportunity Knocks exposed my music to the music industry as a young kid … my style was apparently right at that time and right for the marketing brigade!!
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Difficult to chose – in the music business one must be having been part of a TV series for UK’s BBC 2 “Poems and Pints” with Welsh comedian Max Boyce; but perhaps a week of support for Tony Christie at the height of his career should be mentioned……..Out of the music business, should be achieving my science Ph.D. when just 26 …. two years later I returned to the music business!! Of course raising two wonderful sons who have the good sense not to be professional musicians is perhaps my proudest ever accomplishment.
9. Just for fun! What’s been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Must be loads – perhaps falling flat on my face in London while talking to my older son and NOT LOOKING WHERE I WAS GOING. No bones broken … plenty of bruises though!
π0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
Lowest – getting too old for gigging …..
Highest – Decca recording contract while still at school – many years ago
Stream “Winter Solstice” now
https://open.spotify.com/track/4OYqod8ZfBKh94YwCYNTHE?si=6fb2aaea7bb44db8
and follow their socials
www.valeryan.co.uk/recentreleases
https://www.facebook.com/valeryanmusic
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