Q&A: Sofía Valdés Gets Vulnerable Through Her Heartwarming Tracks

Q&AMusic
Written By The Luna Collective
 
 
 

WITH A VOICE AS SWEET AS HONEY - Sofía Valdés truly knows how to serenade her listener. The Panamanian artist brings a smooth, heartfelt nature to her tracks for an easy, relaxing listening experience. After the release of her debut EP Ventura this year, Valdésis finally getting the opportunity to play these songs live at festivals and on tour with Boy Pablo. The 10 track EP showcases VALDÉS’s charm and ability to pluck at your heartstrings while leaving you waiting for each note. Inspired by everything from Motown to folk, Valdéstakes a truly authentic approach to her music and creates tunes that highlight her vulnerable nature. 

Her latest single “Wish You Well” is accompanied by a charming visualizer directed by Ashley Tsai. Despite coming up during the pandemic, Valdéswas able to take a DIY approach to her visuals, often being the one behind the camera to create a visual world for her music. Now ready to explore her vision with a larger team and more resources, Valdésplans to accompany some of her new music with music videos. 

2021 has served as an incredible foundation year for Valdésas she continues to establish herself as a singer/songwriter. In addition to her rising music career, Valdéshas been named the face of luxury brand Chanel in Latin America. As Valdéscontinues to find her place in the industry and capture listeners with her soulful voice, she remains grounded in a love for her music and writing what comes from the heart. We got a chance to catch up with Valdésafter her Outside Lands set to talk live music, writing about love and more. 

LUNA: What did you miss most about festival season?

SOFÍA VALDÉS: I feel like I'm the worst person to ask that question because I've actually never been to a festival before this. We don't have festivals in Panama. The first festival I went to is the one I played. 

LUNA:  So then what are your first impressions of Outside Lands?

SOFÍA VALDÉS:  I think everyone's outfits are really funny because it’s a mix of Halloween and then just cool festival outfits. It seems like a really peaceful festival, the trees are insane.

LUNA: You’re about to go on tour with Boy Pablo, so for those who are unfamiliar with your music, and they're going to come to see you perform for the first time, what are some of the key elements making your music yours?

SOFÍA VALDÉS:  I think I just try to make music that I like, it’s just me making my music. I write my songs and come up with a melody, and it’s truly my songs. We all have something so special about each of us, that I think not being embarrassed or thinking it's weird how you are - it's not weird, it’s just who we are. We're all different. So I'm just very vulnerable, and I just try to keep it sincere. 

LUNA:  You could definitely tell with the little stories between each track at your set earlier today. So with new music, are there any common themes or narratives that you were drawn to with this new music?

SOFÍA VALDÉS:  Well, I had a breakup, not a bad one. I remember I told myself there's no way I'm going to write about love again. It's a little shallow to only just write about that. But then I went through a hectic breakup and it happened to be when I started writing for the second EP, so it kinda follows that. 

LUNA: Shifting to the visual side of your work, I love the visualizer that you just released. You have a very “cool girl” aesthetic going on, how did that come about? 

SOFÍA VALDÉS:  Oh, my God. That's been such an accident. I record my visualizers and edit them. I've always been scared so much about that part, but because of the pandemic, it hasn't been possible for me to really explore my creative side visually, which is something that I've really dreamed of. I really want to do that and I really care about it. So hopefully now I can really work more on that. 

LUNA: As the year kind of winds down, what are your intentions for the rest of 2021?

SOFÍA VALDÉS: I want to be home. I want to be with my family. I was home during the pandemic and I really missed it. My mom has her car, and we’re a lot of people in the house. I still don't drive in the US because I don't have car insurance here but in Panama, I can drive and I have more freedom. I moved out of home when I was 15 so now I'm like that I'm older I want to be home.

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