Today we’d like to introduce you to Valentina Vela.
Hi Valentina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
It all started with me thinking I wasn’t good enough at certain activities. When I was in third grade, everyone had something to do after class: playing sports, painting, acting, etc. I tried everything but nothing really caught my attention, until I heard someone talking about how they were taking singing lessons, so I thought to myself “Why not”. Everyone in my family was shocked because none of them are musicians but they supported me and they signed me up for singing lessons.
What started as something that I did for fun, in which I must say I had no desire to be the best, time ended up showing me that that’s what passion is about, putting all of you into something, having fun in the process, and constantly moving forward. It became my life and after that first year of singing lessons, I never looked back.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
To be completely honest, no. But like everything in life, everything comes with a duality. The biggest struggle is being a woman in the industry, people constantly try to make you prove that you know certain things and that you’re “capable” of doing them like producing for example. Being categorized as intense when in reality when it comes to my music my work ethic is very structured and I know what I want.
That’s why it’s so important for me to work with people whom I fully trust and whom I truly admire and respect. Working in an environment of mutual respect is the first thing I look for when I’m working with someone, whether it’s writing a song, producing, arranging, or designing something.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter from Chile. I have my solo artist project: Valentina Vela which is basically my diary, where I share parts of my life in the form of songs. It’s my safe space, where I can fully be myself without the noise of outside, and where I hope I can help someone out by sharing this safe space. What I’m most proud of? Definitely, the people I’ve gotten to meet during this journey. It’s not always easy to find the right people with whom you want to share your deepest self, your insecurities, your music, your thoughts.
I’m lucky to be surrounded by great, talented people. That’s my pride at the moment, having quality people around me. What sets me apart from others? My project is for everyone to listen and make it their own. The honesty in my art and in everything I share is everything I am on a daily basis, I’m not trying to be someone I’m not. I want to make people feel that they can reach out and talk if they want.
We’ve been sold the idea that artists are these unreachable superstars that live in a parallel reality and that’s the contrary of what I want to portray. I’m a human being that feels and likes to write, and that enjoys small things in life. Yes, I am an artist but I’m also a regular person trying to figure out the challenges life puts me in. Always evolving and changing and being honest with my audience.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I know it sounds cliche, but after the pandemic hit I realized how many things I was leaving for later in life. Before the pandemic, I was constantly planning the future and using phrases like “When XYZ happens, I’ll be happy”. The pandemic made me realize that the only thing that is truly real, is the present. We need to honor that. Living to our fullest and not waiting for something to happen to live at our best and to be our best version.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_valentinavela/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valentinavelamusica/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@valentinavelamusica/videos
Image Credits
Yuder Mezerene (@ydsnapz)
