You may have seen singer/songwriter VALÉ – whose roots in Colombia have helped to infuse her brand of alt-pop with the soul of traditional Latin sounds – opening The Met for The Driver Era’s Obsession Tour this June. However, the Los Angeles-based musician is already scheduled to return to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection this coming Thursday, October 16th, for a more intimate version of her live show with another sibling pop duo (and America’s Got Talent alum), when she opens Theatre of Living Arts for BETWEEN FRIENDS, who she’s been on the road with for a couple weeks now on the WOW! TOUR! VALÉ recently took some time to chat with me about her latest single, Spooky SZN, and the joys of touring.
Izzy: You’ve done a good bit of touring and playing some pretty major venues over the past few months, supporting The Driver Era this summer (I know you’ve played with them in the past, as well.), and you recently kicked off this jaunt with BETWEEN FRIENDS. What have been some of the standout moments of your recent live dates? I watched your doc on the tour with The Driver Era and really dug it.
VALÉ: Just being able to play my music in front of new people every night has been such a blessing and an incredibly fun experience. Seeing people’s reactions to the set is unmatched. After my set, I usually do a meet and greet at the merch stands, and seeing people line up for me an hour or two after the headliner’s set is done is something I will never get over, it’s so surreal.
Izzy: What can be expected of your live show on this run, when you play Theatre of Living Arts supporting BETWEEN FRIENDS?
VALÉ: This production is a little smaller than what I usually have done in the past two tours. It’s more electronic facing than what I’ve done, I have a bass and acoustic guitar player and someone playing a drum machine, and just me on vocals. It’s definitely more minimal, but for club shows it’s really strong and edgy in my opinion.
Izzy: How have you enjoyed being on the road with BETWEEN FRIENDS, getting to see their show every night and just getting to hang with them in general?
VALÉ: Yes! They are unbelievably talented and some of the sweetest people I’ve met. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs for a long time. I actually went to see them two years ago at The Fonda in Los Angeles for their ‘I love my girl, she’s my boy’ tour!! It’s honestly crazy to be able to see their set every night and hear songs that I’ve loved for a while live every night.
Izzy: What are some of your favorite things about being on the road and on tour, in addition to playing the shows themselves?
VALÉ: Probably getting to see new cities and exploring places I’ve never been to, trying new food (which I love) and just getting to walk around! It’s also fun to do group activities on days off.
Izzy: You recently dropped “estrella,” so I’m curious how that particular track came about.
VALÉ: I started that track in the studio with this artist, Judith, and my frequent collaborators, The Fund, earlier this year! Judith and I had never met before this session, so I was so glad we clicked instantly personally and creatively! We wanted to make a song that could be a cute empowering song that was lighthearted and fun, and I think we nailed it! The Fund completely changed the initial production from the session into what it is now, and I was so happy with how it turned out. I love the moody, dancey, and groovy vibe the track has.
Izzy: I know you haven’t been releasing music professionally for that long, “be somebody” dropping in 2020, but have you noticed any significant differences between how you approach making music now, compared to your earliest work?
VALÉ: When I first started making music, I definitely focused more on writing in English and making R&B music. Now I am definitely more alternative Latin pop leaning and obviously the biggest difference is that I sing in Spanish and English now. It took me a long time to become comfortable with writing in Spanish and finding my voice in that way, but I definitely reached a point now where I’m comfortable with it and have so much fun doing it.
Izzy: What have been some of your personal highlights of these first few years of doing this?
VALÉ: Definitely being able to release my first EP, under the sun, last year was a big highlight of my career so far. I got to do a really cool premiere of all the songs and videos at a Dolby Atmos theater, which was incredible. All my tours have been unreal as well.
Izzy: Have you noticed any patterns amongst your fans or the people who seem to most appreciate your music yet, or is it a little too early to tell?
VALÉ: I think people that like my music are generally people that just gravitate towards my performance and what I have to say on stage. It could also be people that just want to have fun and listen to cool music.
Izzy: We’re officially in Spooky SZN, with Halloween coming up the night after these dates of yours wrap, so I have to ask if you’re a fan of the holiday or this time of year in general? If so, do you have any favorite traditions or memories, or even any favorite Halloween music or movies?
VALÉ: I really love Halloween! I love everything about October in general. I love the pumpkin vibes, I love scary movies, I love fall! My favorite movies would have to be The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, and Hereditary.
Izzy: Finally, what’s next for you? How are you hoping and planning to close out 2025 and maybe kick off 2026?
VALÉ: This year, I am wrapping up the BETWEEN FRIENDS tour, I am dropping two more songs, and next year I plan to do a headline tour and possibly sophomore EP! Exciting stuff!!
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