Reaching the ten-year milestone is no small feat for any band, and Valley is no exception. But for them, it doesn’t necessarily feel like a decade has passed. “I don’t know, people have been asking us this a lot,” Rob explains. “It doesn’t necessarily feel like a decade… We’ve known each other for probably the better part of 13-ish years, which is crazy.” For Valley, the passage of time has been marked by countless experiences, both as musicians and as friends. “We went through the better part of our 20s being a band,” Karah shares. “We did that as friends, we did that as bandmates, and we did that on tour”.

Reflecting on the past ten years, Alex points out how the band’s various eras have shaped them. “A lot of chapters as a band…different eras as people…it makes sense,” he says, acknowledging how these phases have contributed to their growth and the bond they share.

Valley’s upcoming album, Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden, has been described as their most intimate work to date. The band approached the writing and recording process with a fresh perspective, focusing on vulnerability and freedom. “In a lot of ways, just more free, more vulnerable,” Rob says. The band wanted to shed any preconceived notions of what they should be and instead focus on being their authentic selves. “We thought that we had to be so many different versions of ourselves to prove something…but at the end of the day, all people want is the most pure, natural version of who we are.”

This authenticity is something that Valley has always strived for, but it’s only in this album that they feel they’ve fully achieved it. “This record is just that, it’s just us,” Rob continues. “What you see is what you get.”

For this album, Valley took a unique approach to the creative process by isolating themselves in a cabin at the top of a mountain. This solitude, enforced by a lack of Wi-Fi and cell service, played a crucial role in shaping the album’s sound. “We were trapped at the top of a mountain with no service for like four days because the Wi-Fi broke,” Karah recalls. The forced disconnection from the outside world allowed the band to focus entirely on their music, free from distractions. “We wanted this album to be really incubated…a lot of good art and good ideas come from solitude.”

This environment not only influenced the sound of the record but also allowed the band to reconnect with their creative roots. “We weren’t on our phones that much,” Rob adds. “We really didn’t do too much because we just wanted to be super intentional about how this record was presented.”

As an Ontario-based band, Valley has witnessed firsthand the evolution of Toronto’s music scene over the past decade. “I think it’s gotten more collaborative,” Karah observes. The band notes how the city’s scene has become more inclusive, welcoming a diverse range of genres that might not have been as accepted in the past. “Pop music was not as welcome back then,” Karah continues. “In the last five years, especially even post-pandemic, the city has become a lot more like a melting pot of genres, artists and ideas”.

This shift has made it easier for bands like Valley to thrive in Toronto’s vibrant and supportive community. While they still cherish the rock roots that once dominated the scene, they’re excited to see how it’s grown to embrace all forms of music.

“Let It Rain” was described as the band’s “Saturn return song,” a term that signifies a period of intense change and personal growth. For Valley, this song captures a moment of reckoning with the inevitability of change. Alex reflected on the jarring nature of the transformations they’ve experienced both individually and as a band. The song symbolizes their acceptance of these changes, recognizing that while some transitions are smooth, others are disruptive and unsettling. Rob added a deeper layer to this, explaining how the song represents the merging of their personal and professional lives, symbolizing the growth and evolution they’ve undergone together. “It’s going to rain, whether you like it or not, sh*t’s going to happen. You’re going to have some of the worst and best days.” For him, “Let It Rain” embodies the idea that change, though sometimes painful, is a natural and necessary part of life.

The discussion then shifted to “Cocoon,” a track recorded in one take, capturing a raw and unfiltered performance. Rob spoke about how the song came together in a spontaneous and almost magical way, during a late-night recording session. “ I feel like the record is very much a presentation of grief, the stages of grief, and what you go through when change happens.” The track, which he describes as the “acceptance song” of the album, serves as a poignant reflection on the stages of grief and the eventual acceptance of change. It embodies the idea of metamorphosis, where one must let go of the past to embrace new beginnings.

Valley also opened up about their creative process, shedding light on how their live performances deeply influence their songwriting. Rob explained that with this album, they were “more conscious than ever about how the songs would translate when we’re performing them.” This awareness led them to approach recording in a way that felt more authentic to their live sound. Rob mentioned that they “performed them in the studio,” capturing the energy and spontaneity that characterizes their shows. This method allowed them to create music that feels genuine and raw, with Alex admitting that even when he wanted to redo a take, their producer encouraged them to leave the blemish’s in, adding to the record’s overall beauty.

As the interview drew to a close, the band reflected on their journey and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Alex shared that he wishes he could tell his younger self to “enjoy the ride more and not stress so much about the next thing.” Rob echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of not feeling pressured to have everything figured out from the start. “It’s a long game,” he said, highlighting the value of patience and perseverance in their long-term success.

Looking ahead, Valley hinted at exciting plans for the future. They confirmed that they’re in the final stages of completing their next album, with Rob teasing, “The next record is coming.” They also expressed their eagerness to get back on the road, with more tours in the works, all while staying “healthy and creative.”

For Valley, this latest chapter is about embracing change, growing together, and staying true to themselves as they continue to create music that resonates deeply with their fans.

Photographer: Becca Hamel