MAS: MakeAStar is very proud to introduce Valerie Orth as our latest music video winner for “Relinquish”. An exciting and unique musical talent, Valerie and her band craft sensual, intelligent, soulful songs riding the crest of folk, pop and alternative rock.
Valerie grew up singing and pursued an interest in African music by studying drumming and dance in Ghana before returning to her home in the San Francisco Bay Area, where in addition to her musical career, she works long hours backing many environmental and social justice causes. Let’s get to know more about Valerie Orth in her MakeAStar interview!
First off, tell us how it feels to have won. Are you happy, surprised, relieved?
Valerie Orth: It feels great to be rewarded for all the hard work my band and all of our supporters put into my music and our products, like our music videos. And I feel really loved by our fans who took the time to vote for us!
MAS: Is there an interesting story behind your band’s name?
Valerie Orth: It happens to be my real, given name. If you really want to know, I was named after one of my Dad’s patients: A black woman who was strong and positive, regardless of struggling with major physical health problems.
MAS: How did you develop your sound? Are you the primary songwriter, or is it collaborative?
Valerie Orth: I’m always working on developing my sound through working alone or with various people on songwriting and working with my band on arrangements.
MAS: What’s the story behind the video you’ve entered in the Make A Star contest?
Valerie Orth: The song, “Relinquish,” is about forgetting about all the negative stuff that’s happening in a relationship and allowing one night to be just right, enjoying just one night, even if it’s the last. The video focuses on the tension that the woman/ rockstar feels with all the back and forth of a struggling relationship near its end.
MAS: How did the concept for the music video come together?
Valerie Orth: The director, the fearless Jason Mongue, locked himself in a cabin and watched a single episode of Gilligan’s Island for three days for inspiration for the project.
MAS: What other music video direction work have you done in the past?
Valerie Orth: Jason Mongue created an award winning music video with Shovelman as well as a series of 3min documentaries each featuring an exotic dancer, an electronic music and a barber.
MAS: Jason is a talented director - Shovelman was also a MakeAStar music video winner for 'Moonshine' in October 2010. How does MakeAStar.com compare with other websites for music fans and musicians?
Valerie Orth: MakeAStar is great because anyone can enter and there are many contests, and it’s free!
MAS: Which musical influences have other people compared you to?
Valerie Orth: Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morrisette, Natalie Merchant, sometimes even Joni Mitchell. I don’t listen to all of them, but I’m OK with those comparisons. People seem to enjoy music that’s familiar to them, and hence like to compare original artists to others they like.
MAS: What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?
Valerie Orth: I write a variety of styles of songs, with unpredictable twists and turns even within one song, so it’s hard to box me and my band into a single genre. We also have very lively, loud, interactive live performances.
MAS: Who do you get inspiration from or wish to emulate in music and life?
Valerie Orth: Ani DiFranco, because she has always been ahead of her time, ahead of the music industry, ahead of trivial politics. And she always speaks her truth. And she’s an incredible musician, guitarist and songwriter.
MAS: What are your thoughts on music videos? The ideas, the production, working with directors, how they add to the song, etc…
Valerie Orth: Music videos have an amazing way to draw people into songs. I like to work with different directors and see other people’s interpretations of my songs. We have another music video for my song, “Blinding.” (You can watch it at www.youtube.com/valerieorth) We worked with a different director and came out with a completely different style of video – and it was just as fun as making “Relinquish.” The more out there we can go visually, the better!
MAS: What are you or your band’s plans for the year ahead?
Valerie Orth: We’re working really hard on a promo kit with 3 brand new recordings and lots of great photos, and even a new video, to recruit an industry team to work with us on getting our music out there – we want to tour the world!
MAS: Who were your favorite musicians as a child? What was your first album or concert?
Valerie Orth: I was really into musical theater, but the first “concert” I went to was Milli Vanilli – ha! I’m not even embarrassed because I loved the show. But, I guess I didn’t have very good taste in sixth grade.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about being a musician?
Valerie Orth: The worst part is the tireless, endless business work that often goes unrewarded, the constant doubt that you’re never going to be able to support yourself with your deepest passion. The best part is performing, and having an impact on people.
MAS: What is the best and worst part about the music industry today?
Valerie Orth: The best part is that everyone can put out a record. The worst part is that everyone can put out a record.
MAS: Valerie Orth thank you for this very great interview! Everyone can check out more of her music on her official site ValerieOrth.com But before we go, here's one more chance to tell us something completely random.
Valerie Orth: I’m taking care of 20 animals right now – 4 chickens, 4 cats, 2 dogs, 3 guinea pigs, 2 parakeets, 3 fish…. uh-oh, who am I forgetting?
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