Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Valentine.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Audrey Valentine is an R&B singer/songwriter from Chicago’s south side neighborhood Chatham. She began singing at the early age of 4, and started developing an interest for song writing at age 12. Audrey is known to be influenced by past musicians such as Whitney Houston, Deniece Williams, Nina Simone, Brandy, and Michael Jackson. While studying vocal performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Audrey further decided to pursue music as her full time career. Her debut EP, Love Hangover, was released in August 2015 and is available for listening/download on all streaming sites. Currently, Audrey has been working very hard on her second project, titled “Forbidden Fruit”, which will be released Summer 2018.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a musician that strives to create moving, timeless, inspiring artwork through my storytelling. Many of the songs I write stem from experiences I’ve dealt with while being in love/relationships. Part of the reason I chose the stage name “Audrey Valentine” is because the word Valentine is so frequently associated with the holiday “Valentine’s Day”, which is a day devoted to showing love and adoration for the loved ones in your life. I knew that would be the perfect ending to my name because I truly enjoy connecting with audiences through singing and writing about love. My hope is that I’m able to connect spiritually and emotionally with audiences of all ages and ethnicities through my passion and creativity shown in the music I create.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I think it’s great that our generation can now utilize social media to expand and share our talent anywhere in the world, but I also think there have been barriers to keep regular people like myself from being able to branch into the industry. I think the best thing our city can do is genuinely throw their support behind ALL artists. Being that I’m an R&B singer, its very difficult to find some of the same opportunities and platforms that are given to others that belong in the Hip-Hop scene, because our city has become very Hip-Hop driven in recent years. Every artist of any genre should be given equal support, and should feel like their city is backing them 100 percent.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can listen to my music on any streaming site they have, such as iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Google Play, or Soundcloud. They can support me by listening/purchasing my music, checking out my visuals via YouTube, as well as coming to any of my upcoming shows. I love for people to be able to experience my talent up close and personal, so performing live is always a great opportunity receive support from others.
Contact Info:
- Email: audreyvalentinemusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msaudreyvee/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudreyValentineMusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsAudreyVee
Image Credit:
Singing photos shot by Andre Jamar Photography.
Still photos shot by Ashton Ty Photography.
