Brand new alt pop singer Valentina Cy is making a splash with her single “Bad” these days. She’s got the drive and spunk of a young Lorde meshed with the forces of Fiona Apple. Her folky alt-pop roots are paving the way for the admiration for a younger generation to follow.
Ladygunn is falling in love with the infectious song “Bad” right off the bat. The whistling pulls you in from the get-go. The strumming chords of the guitar makes us want to dance around in our cowboy boots and hat and strut down a sun setting desert road. “The song is about this guy I dated when I was eighteen who was just the most alluring man to me at the time,” recalls Valentina. “I was warned about him by many people, constantly being told he was ‘a bad guy.’ I was right out of high school and didn’t have many friends, so even after all the red flags, I dated him anyway. Things went very south at the end of the relationship but I got some very good songs out of it so that’s all I can really ask for.”
The singer recently sat down with Ladygunn’s Robert Frezza to talk about her musical upbringing, Vogue, and how the singer turned producer is giving a good name for women in the music industry.
You grew up in a very musical family. Can you tell me more about your upbringing?
Yes! My dad is an amazing pianist and songwriter from Brazil. We were constantly playing music in the house. Whether he was playing piano for me to sing to or showing me bossa nova and jazz records, he gave me my passion for music. My mom and dad always supported my music career and when I didn’t want to go to college, their response was pure excitement.
How did you get noticed by Vogue?
I worked as a model with Ford for a few years, and they helped me get into the fashion side of things, including magazines such as Vogue, V Magazine, and others… I love fashion so it’s great to be able to dip into that world.
Do you produce your own work? Was it difficult to get taken seriously as a young woman producer?
I love producing. It’s an ongoing challenge for me to be taken seriously as a producer. Oftentimes I will play a track for someone and they go “I didn’t expect that from you”. I guess they’re surprised it’s coming from a woman and they better get used to it.
What did you pull from your experiences working with Mike Posner?
Mike Posner hosted the scholarship program Amor Fati in 2018 where I was taught how to use Ableton. That has changed my life. I have a new sense of empowerment as an artist and a strength to my voice that I didn’t have before.
You worked closely with your sister Marcella on the fashion and vision sense of things. How was it working with family?
Working with Marcella is incredible. We live in the same house so we are constantly brainstorming and creating. She knows me better than anyone so I’ll send her a song I need a music video for and it always just fits. I trust her implicitly. Whatever she chooses for the treatment I do, and she always blows me away with her directing, producing, and editing.
Do you think artists like Lana Del Ray, Lorde, and Maggie Rogers help pave the way for you? Are they influences on you, if not who is?
Lorde is a big influence for me. I love the dark pop world she created, and “Royals” is one of the best songs ever. Fiona Apple is a very big influence for me as well. Since she was eighteen she has been singing with the depth and soul that I aspire to have. Same thing with Amy Winehouse, no one conveys the truth better than her. When she sings you just can’t ignore her voice, nor her cut-throat honest lyrics.
Do you think you evolved since your debut EP, Unmanageable? Do you think you grew a thicker skin?
I’ve developed a thicker skin since Unmanageable. I believe every artist who continues to work at making their music heard has to have incredibly thick skin and it gets tougher as time goes by. There has never been a plan B for me so everyday is just a day to work on my music, keep my head, and ignore all the noise.
I read you are releasing a song a month now instead of putting out an entire album. Is that true?
There might be a song coming out next month. We’ve just been riding the wave and seeing what feels right. Especially during this wild time in the world, I want to be able to adapt to anything and everything. I am definitely working up to an album, though… I feel like it’s something I have to earn after putting in more work, and something that should come when my fans start asking for it.
Do you think it’s Valentina Cy’s time now?
Hell yes!!!
CONNECT WITH VALENTINA CY
Photos / Valentina Cy
Story / Robert Frezza
