INTERVIEW: Valentina Brave releases new single 'This Place Your Soul'

Valentina Brave first emerged on the alt-rock music scene in the latter half of 2018 with her rollicking, stirring debut single ‘I Met A Man’, followed by her debut EP Wildflower which was added to rotation on Double J. Today she returns with her first new music of 2020 with the soulful, powerful soul track ‘This Place Your Soul’. The song was co-written with senior singerman Victor Rostron of the Dalabon peoples in Arnhem Land and like Brave’s debut EP was produced by ARIA nominated artist Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin). The emotive track, which is a reflection on First Nations peoples connection and relationship with country, borders on the spiritual with a stunning vocal performance from Brave that never fails to move the listener. We recently chatted with Valentina to find out all about this new era in her music making.

Hi Valentina! Great to chat to you again. How is everything with you in this crazy time?!
Hi! Things are going pretty slowly. It’s actually really nice to scale life right back and get back to the pure essential basics. Family, food, garden, creative zones and lots more time on my guitar. Also really loving seeing the incredible way the world is showing up to meet each other on the internet and share as much inspiring and uplifting content as possible. I love that throughout these darker days people really dig deep to find the light.

Around this time last year you released your debut EP Wildflower. How has the past 12 months been and what have you been up to?
It’s gone so quickly! We moved interstate from NT to NSW last year, so that was huge and the dust is still settling from that move. It’s nice to be back down south though, part of which was about easier access to gigs and doing more shows, until recently. Obviously as that’s all now on hold. I have been dedicated to the craft of songwriting which I find deeply therapeutic, I’m writing a lot of poetry. I also do Sound Healing sessions at my home where I use tools such as crystals, oils and other witchy things along with my voice and beautiful singing bowls.    

Your new single ‘This Place Your Soul’ is out today and is absolutely beautiful! Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind this song?
I wrote it for and about the people my family and I have been living with in community in Arnhem Land. It’s written in dedication to the stories and experiences that were generously shared with us during some of the most amazing years of our lives. My friend Victor Rostron is also on the track which is by far the most incredible part of the song! He is a Dalabon man and sings in his first language, Kune.

How did the collaboration with Victor Rostron come about?
We have worked together on many creative projects over many years. He’s a brilliant mind and visionary artist. Every single project, I am blown away by his creative concepts and the way he sees the world. He has been one of my greatest teachers. When I started to write this song, I played it to Victor and we discussed a collaboration. He loved the lyrics which was very important to me and straight away heard what he would like to bring to it. This ended up being a verse he wrote for the track which speaks to what it means to him to ‘belong to country’ and concludes in one of his clan’s ceremonial songlines, ‘Mimih Kunborrk’ which to me, is the greatest honour imaginable.

Is this song the first glimpse of another EP or album from you, and if so what if anything can you tell us about the music you are creating right now?
This one is just a stand alone single. It’s actually the last unreleased track from the sessions I did in Margaret River working with producer Danielle Caruana (Mama Kin) who also produced my last EP. This single, ‘This Place Your Soul’ had its own life, a slow and steady evolution and I felt it deserved it’s own time to shine.  

I do have new music ready to record. It’s very singer songwritery - that’s a word now - and I’m loving the new direction. It’s a few years down the line since recording the last EP and I had some major life events take place during that time. Although it has been a heartbreaking few years, all that emotion and feeling is wonderful fuel for very hearty songwriting. 

You have lived in the ‘outback’ and have forged a strong connection with First Nations peoples, which is evident from ‘This Place Your Soul’. We as a country are still incredibly bad at valuing, respecting and understanding First Nation peoples. What do you think needs to be done for this situation to change?
We all need to take personal responsibility to educate ourselves from the perspectives of First Nations peoples. I really appreciate the question, but I am not qualified to respond to what is needed, only First Nations peoples can do that. There are many voices currently speaking up to enlighten and share deep insight. For me, being guided by some mighty educators in this space (I started with Layla F Saad) has resulted in me doing work that looks deeply at my own white privilege and how to be accountable for how that translates in my life and the ongoing impacts it has on First Nations peoples every single day. 

What music or artists are you enjoying right now?
I am loving Moreton. We were recently at a music management workshop together and I was reintroduced to this project. Georgia the front-woman is just phenomenal. I have been stalking them ever since. Also, Mama Kin Spender are so inspiring to me. The music itself is incredible, both insane singers, I love the stripped back textural arrangements and they are also sharing the joy of music by engaging community choirs at each event. I am about to crack out all my old vinyl during this time of isolation like Donny Hathaway, Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, Etta James, Dolly Parton, Ella and Billie. Also LOVING Sampa the Great. Her new album is killer! I have been smashing it!  

What are your tips on getting through this unusual and sometimes scary world of self-isolation and quarantine?
Listen to your intuition. You have the answers if you find enough stillness to let them speak to you. For me this has meant making immunity boosting potions like bone broths, fermented foods, herbal teas from my garden. I have also been making time for yoga and meditation daily. This should be non negotiable for me because when I am meditating I am so much more capable of being accepting of what life serves up. Being conscious with my kids, making more areas that are designated for being creative, cooking together, keeping the messages clear for them about what’s going on in the outside world. Limited screen time. There is so much information flooding everyones feeds right now. Last week I found myself feeing really overwhelmed, so I reached out to my community of support, talked through my feelings which helped integrate some healthy approaches to my daily routine. For me, this time is allowing space to explore some new creative ideas but most importantly, is a wonderful time to be present with my family to nurture our home with love and care.  

What else is on the agenda in 2020 for Valentina Brave?
One day at a time right now with love at the heart of it all.  

‘This Place Your Soul’ is out now. You can download on iTunes and stream on Apple Music and Spotify.

To keep up with all things Valentina Brave, you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.