After exploding onto the scene in 2015 with their powerful anthems, Auckland-based 3-piece Vallkyrie are back with their new single, ‘Runaway Child’, a nostalgic 80’s-infused track with Flashdance-esque kick drums and powerful emotive retro-rock vocals.
The energetic, snap-shot style video filmed when the band performed at Splore Festival in New Zealand earlier this year, captures the closeness and creative energy shared between members Rebel Reid, Omer Gilroy and Brandon Haru, and by the end of the clip you feel as though you’ve been on a journey with the band, soaking up all the adrenalin rush and thrill of performing at a festival.
Listen to it here:
GGM: How did you get here? Did you always know you’d be a musician?
“I got here by blimmin’ sheer determination and not giving up, having an amazing mother who supports me and my crazy dreams, and a best friend who believed in me.
Absolutely! I made my first song at the age of seven in 1994 in my aunty Duck’s room – I called it “Piss Pott” and still to this day. It’s my proudest work thus far! I knew then I was going to be a musician.”
GGM: What has been your proudest moment so far in life? Music or otherwise?
“The proudest moment as a musician was in 2017 when we were nominated for an award and our parents flew down to the ceremony. Seeing them walk in on the red carpet was one of the best feelings I have ever felt – (besides meeting Lucy Lawless because of our music.)”
GGM: What was the songwriting + production process behind “Runaway Child”? If you have any pictures, we’d love to see them
“HAHA this is a crack up story – myself and Omer were at home trying to change one of our local soap opera’s theme songs (Shortland Street) to a cool, hip new take and suddenly we came up with Runaway child. We were staring at Woodstock pictures and literally wrote about our lives wanting to be a runaway child, free – being raised by our solo mothers and the life they gave us !!”
GGM: Why do you do music? What music or musicians inspires you?
“So that I can touch people without physically touching them – You can make someone go onto this frequency that only music can give you, isn’t it amazing to have the power to make a human feel a certain way??? – it’s spiritual, I swear, not being a hippie but it’s true!!!! Imagine someone in Zimbabwe smiling sitting in the sun to your music.
Also, Coldplay Parachutes was my first ever album. I owned it in 1999 and it solidified my love for music and my dream of becoming a musician. I day dreamed to that album religiously as if it was my own gospel! Coldplay have played one of the biggest parts of my music life! What Chris Martin and the boys gave me as a kid daydreaming of winning Grammies in the shower, performing at big festivals, giving people my autograph, and making people smile has literally fuelled every fibre I have in my body to does MUSIC! I love music so much it frickin’ hurts sometimes! hahaha”
GGM: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
“Hmmmmm, I’m an open book really…. I think I was abducted by aliens. LMAO – legit tho, maybe this should be for another interview! On a more serious note I suffer with endometriosis, have been since I was 11, and had a full hysterectomy this year. I am now in early menopause!!!!”
GGM: Do you think being a woman in music has affected your career? If so, how?
“I think it has helped being a female in the industry, I feel NZ really support the woman in the industry, it’s quite a female-orientated scene over here J but even the men are supportive too!!”
And… last but not least! My personal favorite part of her response to our Girl Gang Music interview questions:
GGM: What’s your one piece of advice for women in the industry?
“Be strong, but there’s no need to be TOO strong, be nice to everyone, no one is your enemy – just focus on being the best you with a smile I reckon.”
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Kehlani