Diandra Interviews Vale: Sisters of Chill
Valeria and Valentine, aka VALE, are two Colombiana hermanas with a sound that is intriguingly calm. I say “intriguingly’ because let’s be honest; most of us live in the Kali Uchis lyric “I want war, but I need peace.” For some, serenity can be considered too serious, but for these sisters, it is fun, light, and appreciative. To go quiet, does not mean to go silent or lose all rhythm. Instead, it means finding a joy that allows you to be present. In our interview, they discuss how they keep each other ground, and just how vast their definition of peace can be.
Diandra: What is the richest lesson you have learned this year?
Valeria: I would say patience. We really learned things have their time. We believe that what doesn’t make sense now will lateran lead you to more, inner wealth. We’ve also learned to work in such strange conditions. We have always been hard-working and we have always worked together, as sisters, but I feel like we became more focused.
Diandra: What is a song that most embodies you?
Valeria: Aguaceros is about understanding things take their time but also finding the motivation to reach for your time like, work hard and keep faith,.
Diandra: What is your dream day?
Valentina: I think having a good cup of coffee with friends. Just sitting under sun, surrounded by people you like.
Valeria: Out biggest goal is connect with people. Getting to know so many people and having them see us for who we are. We want people to connect with our song’s messages. I feel like every heart as a message and I want someone to see their soul’s mirror in my music.
Diandra: You are sun people because I, constantly, see the sun and references to the beach in your lyrics and videos.
Valeria: Yes! We are! We are from Cartagena, which is a hot city by the beach. It rains but not much, and we love to see the sun rise and dawn. It humbles us. Nature is just beautiful.
Diandra: Every person that is from a beach town is always so chill. What of you think of city people or how do you experience the city?
Valeria: Last year, we went to New York City. It was like, BOOM! So many people and it was all so quick. I think every city is magical. I feel like music makes you travel. Have you ever had that? You heard a song and it is like you left to somewhere. I want people to be taken somewhere.
Diandra: You are so wise. How did you feel Iridescente embodied that as a title?
Valeria: Every song has its message and wisdom. We see our songs like rainbows. Every song has its own color, and we felt iridescent captured that.
Valentina: What an interesting question! I would give Valeria a green, blue color, and I would say my personality it like a blue-red.
Valeria: I think you are an electric blue.
So you are saying Valeria is calm like green and Valentina is passionate like red?
Valeria: I think we compliment each other. Valentina is more direct and she says I am more poetic. But I adore how she writes, and I think we compliment each other as songwriters. I also feel it is so wonderful to collaborate with people, and to work with my sister is incredible. We shared the same womb, which is so powerful. So when we collaborate with others, we really do protect and feel for each other.
Diandra: Is there a movie that feels like a lover story that could become a song?
Valeria: Cafe De Flores, which is from Canada, and is about a couple that are together and realize that they are not each other’s “one” but they will always love each other. There is something so beautiful to that. It also speaks to past lives, which we love mystic stuff.
Diandra: What do you think was your past life?
Valeria: We are 22, but I have always been called an old soul. I think I was a mariner though.
Valentina: I think everyone that comes into our lives has a purpose and we met each other in another life. Sometimes, I wonder if Valeria was my mother in another life, and this is the dynamic we were born into, this time, to make us grow even more.
Diandra: Do you believe in energy?
Valeria: Oh yeah!! I feel like we are all energy, and music is about transferring energy from one person to another, which is why we try to be so positive. I am a major fan of Natalia Lafourcade and Jorge Drexler because you can feel they love what they are doing and that makes us feel connected to them.
Diandra: How would you describe yourselves?
Valentina: I love these questions!
Valeria: Brilliant, simple, and calm. People really do describe us as calm.
What has writing about life, joy, and love taught you about relationships?
Valeria: We really look to ourselves for the love stories that inspire. We look at our family, friends, and just trying to love ourselves. We think self-acceptance is so important. We want love that is clean, fearless, and allows us to grow