Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mélissa Vales. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Mélissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

As artists, we are expected to share our talents, inner thoughts and imagination in our work, which exposes us to judgment. As we know, criticism has the potential to damage one’s self-confidence. Personally, I’ve taken risks such as embarrassing myself on stage in high school, moving from my small town to Toronto to pursue my dream, and facing judgment online and in person every day. However, it’s often through choosing vulnerability that we connect with others emotionally and express ourselves genuinely. I’m still learning to be vulnerable, but it’s incredibly liberating. It’s a feeling worth taking risks for.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Mélissa Vales and I’m a Pop/R&B/Hip Hop singer-songwriter. I was born in Ontario, and raised in Québec. I’m a Berklee College Graduate and I self manage my career.

I grew up surrounded by music and have my mother to thank for this. I consider myself fortunate to have been exposed to such diverse genres from a young age, including rap, pop, R&B, rock, and konpa. Additionally, my uncle’s involvement as a music producer and rapper further fueled my fascination with the industry, particularly because of his recording studio. I recall performing Britney Spears songs in front of friends and family from as early as age four, alongside their older sister, and even engaging in songwriting and creating music videos.

It took a while for me to proclaim myself as a singer due to losing confidence when starting school. At that age, all you want is to fit in. However, my love for the stage and entertainment remained. I chose to focus on dancing instead, as it felt safer. Over time, I grew more comfortable performing, and at 16, I finally gathered the courage to sing at my high school talent show. Despite feeling nervous and shaking like a leaf, I received a lot of support, which was instrumental in pushing me towards my dream. By age 18, I was in the studio recording covers and trying to find my style. I attended events alone, connected with other artists, and put myself out there. Eventually, I recorded my first Pop/R&B EP titled “The Things I Should’ve Said To You” and released a few singles after that.

I believe my greatest strength is my talent for making people feel emotions through live performance and storytelling. I aim to create full productions that take you on a journey not only through sound but in a multidimensional way. I plan to include elements of cinema, dance, theatre, and other interesting art forms in my work.

I’m most proud of my resilience. I always find myself drawn back to music and entertainement, and I’m grateful for that. I see it as my purpose, and I’m fully committed to it. My journey continues with the release of my next music video “Rolly” this April. This video marks the beginning of a story, watch out for some Easter eggs…

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

As an independent artist, I haven’t been the best in staying consistent with my plan, which has resulted in short-lived success. I took a moment to introspect and align with my true self, which has helped clarify my vision and made it easier for me to follow a realistic and fulfilling plan. I’m focusing on storytelling and I’m allowing myself the freedom to explore various music genres, something that would have paralyzed me before. It’s okay to take a step back and reevaluate! I’m also embracing my heritage and happy mix of being in Ontario, raised in Quebec and imbued with a Haitian root.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to rethink my belief in always being a strong, independent woman. I had internalized the idea of not depending on others and feeling the need to excel in everything I did. However, being too independent and not delegating tasks can harm your career, leading to burnout and reduced productivity, which I experienced firsthand. A united team is crucial for any business success, as collaboration brings different perspectives and skills, driving innovation. Despite understanding this, I struggled to trust others to meet my expectations. For instance, I would hesitate to trust that my vocals would be mixed correctly or that my music video’s color correction would be done well. Now, I’m learning to trust others more, which has lightened my load and will propel me further than I could’ve by myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melissavalesmusic.com
• Instagram: melissavales.mp3
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@melissavales5736
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissavales.mp3?_t=8kesWBzmHBe&_r=1

Image Credits
Ky Retro Spencer Edwards Trey Meikle