We were lucky to catch up with Vallie Noles recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Vallie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve really loved music ever since I can remember. I began creating original melodies and making up my own lyrics at a very young age; since before I could even write. Early on, I was pretty shy about my songs and kept them to myself. However, as I got older and more comfortable with my creativity, I began sharing them with my family and friends. The major catalyst that jumped me onto the path of my professional career though, was my first school talent show. Back in middle school, my mom convinced me to enter as a solo performer. It was my first time on a real stage, with lights, speakers, and a crowd. The second I walked up the stairs, centering myself to the platform, I completely froze. At first site of the chairs filled with people, I forgot the starting note to Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, that I had so bravely and naïvely decided to do acapella. Despite that, I still managed to squeeze out a very strained and shaky song. My nerves made it impossible to recover from the initial shock. I felt entirely unprepared but something almost magical happened all while I was struggling on that stage alone. I was scared out of my mind and failing in front of everyone, but deep down I felt that I was meant for music and all that came with it. I decided that night that I wanted to be an Artist.
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.
I’m known professionally as VALLIE, an American singer/recording artist from Knoxville, Tennessee. I’ve gained attention from self-released EPs in the past few years. My most recent release, “On The Moon”, kicks off my latest project set to release early 2024. Receiving recognition from my self-produced and self-written music, emotional performances, and cinematic style, I’ve began breaking into a genre of my own. Having released three EPs and one full album, my discography spans a wide range of musical styles. My witty lyrics are often inspired by personal experiences and touch on deeper themes such as mental and physical health, anxiety and trauma as well as individualism, culture, and embracing one’s self. My work often touches on psychological concepts challenging perception and reality. I like to weave these ideas intricately into complex visuals for music videos, creating vast and imaginative worlds for my viewers/listeners. One of my biggest dreams with my music is to create a safe and accepting space for people to come together, where appearances, backgrounds, etc. do not matter and everyone can just be.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Some topics are hard to talk about. But wrap the conversation in a video, add a stage with lights and a microphone, or a tune in your headphones, and then your able to reach people. Bringing people together via mutual emotions, that’s rewarding!
Have you ever had to pivot?
There was a point about 4-5 years ago where my health took an unexpected turn. This took my focus away from my music career and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to return to the stage. People were asking why and questioning what I was doing, and I had no explanations. I had to go down my own path of discovery and healing whether those around me understood or not. Eventually, I came to terms with knowing my journey back to “health” would be on going. I decided to no longer let the things I can’t control stop me and push forward pursuing my love of being a creator again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://callmevallie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callmevallie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callmevallie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMN215D3xIFb9aBRf80-fAg/featured
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0bTk9TNDQZZQjoW7IMbML5
Image Credits
HIJO