VALLEYHEART

Art should incite conversation not only with our friends, family, and loved ones, but within ourselves as well. Valleyheart inspire internal and external dialogue through layers of cinematic alternative rock, lyrical eloquence, and dynamic vocals. The Massachusetts trio—Kevin Klein [vocals, guitar, producer], Chris Babbitt [bass], and Zakk Nix [drums]—might just make you ponder love and life a little more closely with their second full-length album, Heal My Head [Tooth & Nail Records]. The group canvas the biggest and smallest corners of emotions alike, which has garnered them millions of streams and acclaim from American Songwriter, FLOOD, Vanyaland, and more. 

“At an individual and communal level, we deal with trauma and unsettling questions of our identity and existence,” Kevin observes. “From a lyrical perspective, I wrote this album to talk about and unwrap those things in my own life and relationships. When you open this door, there’s a lot of pain to sift through, so I’m trying to create a language for listeners to have those conversations. I hope it’s a platform for people, so they don’t feel alone as they go through life.”

Valleyheart continue to build an emotional bond with audiences everywhere. Following the 2017 Nowadays EP, they deepened this connection with their debut album, Everyone I’ve Ever Loved, in 2018. “Friends In The Foyer” eclipsed 877K Spotify streams as the band took home “Rock Artist of the Year” at the 2019 Boston Music Awards. On its heels, the Scenery EP arrived to widespread acclaim. FLOOD noted, “they explore powerful, accessible soundscapes in an adequately sized package,” and Substream Magazine hailed them as “equal parts boldness and beauty.” Throughout 2020 and 2021, they assembled what would become Heal My Head at sessions at The Halo Studio in Portland, ME with longtime collaborator and co-producer Kevin Billingslea and at The Record Company in Boston, MA. Kevin Billingslea and Kevin Klein co-engineered, co-produced, and co-mixed the album, with a portion of the record being self-produced by Klein at his home studio. 

“It was a season that I look back on super fondly,” Kevin goes on. “It was a really beautiful process of these 12 songs coming to life.”

“It naturally pops,” Chris states. “As a record, it was very collaborative. We were listening to demos every weekend. We would go into the practice space, know the vibe of the song, and hash it out. Coming down to the lyrics, it was collaborative. Zakk, Kevin, our friend and writing partner Filipe and I spent quite a bit of time talking about ideas for different topics on the album.”

Valleyheart introduce the album with the single “The Numbers.” On the track, an upbeat riff gives way to vital verses. The momentum culminates on a chantable chorus highlighted by an emotionally charged refrain before dissolving into the hum of a hypnotic bridge underlined by strings.

“The topic of comparison was heavy on my heart,” admits Kevin. “Is success quantifiable? Is there a magic number? It’s a reminder no matter how many people are listening, watching, or following, there are special moments happening right now. If I stop and look at it, the 15-year-old version of myself wouldn’t believe it’s happening. Don’t undermine that. Be in the moment. Success is just doing this thing at all, not necessarily the outcome. Be aware of what we’re doing and don’t let a numerical goal steal the joy of the moment.”

Then, there’s “Your Favorite Jacket.” Wrapped in ethereal delay, it welcomes with the warm embrace of a soaring hook.

“It’s the first thing Kevin and I really played together,” Zakk recalls. “We broke it down, sped it up, and gave it an electronic feel with a Death Cab For Cutie vibe, which is an influence we all share.”

“The lyrics are about the most dynamic things we experience such as the weather and our environment,” Kevin elaborates. “It parallels a storm coming and passing with sunshine. The dynamics of the music reflect what the lyrics are trying to get at.”

“Miracle” hinges on a vivid and vibrant melody above another immersive soundscape.

“Maybe the fact I’m walking outside and there isn’t a comet right now is a miracle,” Kevin muses. “The fact that we’re stilling rolling on that train safely is pretty fucking amazing. Whether there’s nothing or everything behind the curtain, you can’t argue that it’s amazing we’re all here.”

Electronics underline a time signature-hopping and head-nodding beat and bass line as the title track “Heal My Head” climaxes with a plea, “Someone heal my head.”

“It’s an outcry of, ‘Hey, I’m working hard and doing all of these things I thought would check the boxes of being able to feel, but I can’t’,” the frontman reveals. “It’s a real experience of what I was going through with episodes of depression.”

“A lot of us experienced what Kevin just said,” agrees Chris. “Life is fragile. Your time is important. Your relationships are important, but depression, anxiety, and mental health are real. It was written last, and it reflects all of the main concepts.”

In the end, Valleyheart are beginning a conversation that’s necessary to have.

“Through this record, we want to share hope through community, relationships, and personal growth,” Kevin leaves off. “You can be vulnerable about your fucked up shit. I’m speaking to myself, but put away your numbing devices, examine your life, and get back to yourself no matter what you’ve gone through whether it’s loss, suicide, or grief. There’s hope in the fact we’re going through it together. I want you to be inspired to share your own story and interpretation of the ebbs and flows of life.”

Chris sums it up best, “Be inspired to wear your heart on your sleeve.”