We (virtually) sat down with local banger Mickey Valenz to talk about the Calgary music scene and how many bands he plays for, how to design an album cover, and the joys of a home-cooked breakfast.
YYC Music: You drum for Septembryo and The Heart & The Flame, any other side projects?
Mickey Valenz
Mickey: Yes! I also drum for Calgary’s best (if not only) Christmas band: The Jingles and I have a solo-ish project called Her Motives Are Silent.
YYC Music: Which came first?
Mickey: The Chicken.
YYC Music: Any classical or structured training, or are you one of those lucky “gifted” musicians who can just go?
Mickey: I have not had any classical or structured training. I am pretty much self taught. I would tap on whatever I could until I got my first drum kit and then I would just practice and practice. However, I think what helped me the most was listening. I love music and always absorb it when I hear something. I have gained insight from other musicians. I started by listening to songs over and over, focusing on each layer. Also, watching a lot of music videos, concerts and performances gave me a lot to go with. I have put in a lot of hours and effort into getting to where I am now. I’m not the most technical drummer but I try to give it my all when I play.
YYC Music: Do you have a favourite Calgary venue?
Mickey: Some of my favourite venues that I have played at are The Stampede Corral, MacEwan Ballroom, Studio 37, Studio 82, The Gateway, The Hub, Voodoo Lounge, Dicken’s Pub and the Ironwood. However, I love places like Blind Beggar, Broken City, and The New Black for being great supporters of fresh original bands. I love watching concerts and symphonies at Jack Singer, Jubilee Auditorium and Knox United Church. Venues are a funny thing. They all have something that you can appreciate about them. I guess it’s just finding the place that suits your music and your sound.
Image courtesy Septembryos
YYC Music: Who do you think you sound similar to?
Mickey: I suppose that depends which project of mine you are talking about. As a drummer, I can’t really say I sound like anyone but myself. I like experimenting on getting various different sounds out of my kit. I listen to everything – I’m eclectic. I hope that shows in my drumming. I just try to do what sounds best for each song.
YYC Music: What would you say to young Calgary musicians who are just starting up their bands?
Mickey: It’s hard work. It can be fun and some days you might have a lot of fans and a lot of hype but that might fade without warning. Being a musician can often be very frustrating and discouraging. The worst thing you can do is give up. Don’t do it for glory or attention. Do it because you can’t sleep. Do it because you can’t eat. Create music because it writhes within you. I have never met a musician who was gift wrapped and handed anything. We all put in a lot of unseen and under appreciated work loads. We have all faced criticism and disapproval from others but more so from ourselves. Find your instrument, find your voice, find your inspirations, find the right people. Just play or write what comes out of you naturally and stick with it. Don’t try to be the next Thom Yorke or the next Kurt Cobain. Be yourself. Never think you are the best you will ever be. No matter how long you have been playing, there will always be room for improvement. So always sharpen your skills and challenge yourself. Don’t plateau. Always seek to be a better writer, a better performer, a better player, and a better person.
YYC Music: What’s your pre-show routine?
Mickey: I rehearse as often as necessary before the day of the show. I rest as much as possible on the day of the show. I shower. I Eat. I drink a lot of water. I send personal reminders to friends and fans about the show. I decide what to wear. I eat a Snickers or drink a Red Bull if I’m feeling sleepy. I pack up the gear and bring it to the venue. I stretch. I eat again if I’m still hungry. I mingle and say ‘hi’ to people as they arrive. I use the washroom about 50 times. I hug a lot of people. I stretch some more. I set up and soundcheck. I take care of whatever requires us to before it’s time to play. I get on stage. I empty my pockets. I stretch again and shake out my arms and hands. I pop a piece of gum in my mouth and wait for the okay to start. Then I count us in. That’s the usual routine.
YYC Music: What’s the best morning-after-rocking breakfast spot in town?
Mickey: It’s funny… I love sleeping in my own bed after a show. So the best spot for me to eat breakfast is often my own kitchen. Although, I am a fan of Diner Deluxe and IHOP.
Such Sweet Sorrow EP – Her Motives Are Silent
YYC Music: If you had to chose one, what would you most like to become famous for: your music, your modelling, or your graphic design work?
Mickey: I don’t really want to be famous. I just want my art to reach people and impact as many people as possible. I consider all of those things art but music is my true love, so if I had to choose I would want people to know me and remember me for the music.
YYC Music: As a graphic design guy, what’s the biggest key to a successful album cover?
Mickey: LISTEN! Listen to the music and listen to the artist. Communicate with them what they envision. Talk it out. Sketch it out. The album art has to suit the music and the lyrics but it also has to reflect what the artist feels when they wrote the album. I won’t even start until I can hear a sample of the album and have talked out ideas with the artist and/or their management.
YYC Music: If you didn’t play the drums, what instrument would you pick up?
Mickey: well, occasionally you’ll see me playing congas, bongos, shakers, tambourines, jingle bells, melodicas, harmonicas, kazoos and glockenspiels. For Her Motives Are Silent, I write and perform mostly all of the songs on piano and synths. I’m an OK singer and beatboxer too.’
You can catch him next with Septembryo as part of the King Dylan CD Release party at MRU’s Hub on March 1st.
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