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Introducing Paige Valentine

Paige Valentine
Paige Valentine is a five-time WAM Award nominee and Vanda & Young International Song Competition finalist from Perth, Australia. Her latest single, “Fool” was released independently on October 29.

Tell us a bit about your latest release.
“Fool” is one of my favourite songs on the upcoming EP. It was written as the second half to the story of my first single “Pure”, and is about living alone and all the melancholy, beauty and reflection that comes with that. We put really nostalgic tones on the single, the crackle of a record, dreamy synths and really soul baring lyrics. It’s like having thousands of people read your diary. It’s a deeply personal track and really visceral. I’m really proud of the end result.

I’m a late night writer in a semi-beautiful organised chaos.

What does your ideal creative space look like?
Lots of books! Vintage lounges! Coffee, mess on the desk. I’m a late night writer in a semi-beautiful organised chaos. Plants, candles, the sound of rain on the roof and lots and lots of space in nature somewhere.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“You’ve got a pulse”. It sounds simple and silly, but my dad would always sit me down when things got tough and he’d put two fingers on my wrist and smile and say “What’s that?” – “My pulse.” – “You’ve still got one? Good.” I guess it comes down to really realising that as long as we have the gift of life and having this mentality of feeling “just lucky to be here”, things that at the time seem really huge and overwhelming become small, become temporary, become softer. You’ve got to live out the rough stuff, live through the lessons. It by no means dismisses things can be crappy, it just kind of always reminds me to take a deep breath, centre myself back in my body and be grateful for the experience.

What is your favourite album of the year so far?
It’s an EP by a band called Primrose Forever Sanctuary. I didn’t think I’d ever listen to anything as much as Leif Vollebekk until this came out this year. It’s so dreamy, glittered in Californian sunshine, but still has that really deep nostalgic undercurrent, incredible lyrics so much depth. It’s going to take me a lot of self control to stop listening to it, I listen to it an unhealthy amount. It’s a benchmark for me sonically and writing wise.

What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Janet Jackson, “Together Again”. Not going to lie, I probably sing this better than any of my own songs (laughs).

Do you have any pets?
I’ve got five chickens all named after my favourite musicians. They’re hilarious, they’re so sweet and super needy. They’d follow me everywhere if they could. I’m hoping to add a dog and some ducks to the family this year.

I think it’s so important to have people in your life who are intellectually curious, who can say when they’re wrong, who can have an open mind and have really hearty balanced conversations.

Do you have any pet peeves?
Narrow mindedness! I think it’s so important to have people in your life who are intellectually curious, who can say when they’re wrong, who can have an open mind and have really hearty balanced conversations. An open and beautiful mind is the most sexy thing a person can have in my opinion.

Who are some local artists from your hometown we should check out?
Perth is a little island of diverse talent. These questions are so hard to narrow down because I love so many of the artists here and I’d be here all day naming them. I love The Money War, Siobahn Cotchin, Jay Grafton, Clay Western, Keely Connolly, Teischa, Bri Clark, Grace Armstrong, Carla Geneve, Stella Donnelly – all incredible songwriters in their own right. I also really love the live show explosiveness of my friends – Super Ego, Adrian Dzvuke, Great Gable, the Dulcie girls and Spacey Jane. There’s something in the water here.

If you could collaborate with any artist, in any medium, who would it be and what would you create?
I’d love to write a song with Lou Douillon. She’s my hero.