Exclusive Interview: Valeron

Valeron has long been immersed in the Mykonos club scene, first as part of the crowd and then going on to make his mark as a producer and DJ. Now as long-term resident artist at the iconic Scorpios Mykonos, the island native looks to release his fourth personal album Aroma on September 9, 2022 on the in-house label Scorpios Music.

A rare feat for a well-versed hand that has helped shape an island’s electronic music scene and now DJs from a pedestal, Valeron’s upcoming album frames Greece’s diverse musical history through a contemporary lens and acts as a testament to the current collaborative milieu of the island — a dance between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern instruments, all acoustic and recorded live, with the Mykonos native‘s hovering hand on mixers and synths. From the upcoming album, Valeron now releases “Fragile” as the first single.

 Hi Valeron and welcome to House Music With Love. Where are we speaking to you from today?

Hey everyone! I am currently in Bulgaria and specifically in the city of Varna. Tomorrow, my band and I will perform at a very beautiful and idyllic seaside location.

Tell us a little bit about your background, and how you came to be a musician.

At the age of 16 I thought my life would turn out very differently. I was a professional tennis player then. Inevitably, music transformed my whole life and of course all of my plans. At first being a DJ was very challenging for me. I was young and inexperienced. Soon, I left my hometown in the hope of finding better opportunities and job prospects in Athens and in Mykonos. But everything really changed in my life, when I decided to move to Mykonos for the summer season. This decision brought me to this point I am  today: everyday working very hard and giving my all, so as to make my audience feel my vibe and travel through my music.

Who have been your biggest supporters in your career so far?

Apart from my audience who has supported me all these years, it was very important to me that my family was by my side from the very beginning. I also couldn’t help but mention my friends, who showed me in every way their joy for my development all these years.

What have you been up to so far in 2022?

Most of this year was devoted to the creation of my 4th personal album, which will be released next September. In general, it was one of the most creative years. After almost two years of covid restrictions, I was finally able to travel more and get inspiration from everything around me.

 

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What inspires you the most when making music? How do you stay inspired?

Stimuli for inspiration can be anything. From an unforgettable experience to a musical influence, coming from any part of the world. From a relaxing afternoon listening to Hadjidaki on a beach to experimenting musically with my band in the studio. I am also often inspired by meeting new people and travelling around the world.

What would you say has been your biggest career highlight to date?

I would definitely say the decision I made in 2017, to create the live concept with my band in Skorpios in Mykonos. It was something I was thinking many years before it became true. People still love it to this day.

What is the best venue you have played and why?

Clearly for me it is Scorpios in Mykonos for the overall experience I get, both as an artist and as a person.

What can you tell us about your new single Fragile?

One of Sting’s favourite songs for me is called “Fragile”. Since last summer, this song—which we first performed live—has evolved into the band’s epilogue at every show. So, I made the decision to rework it, record Gabriel’s voice and release it as an official single. I used the guitar as the key instrument and enriched the original melodic theme, by adjusting the synthesisers and vocal phrases.

If you could put on your own show anywhere in the world, where would it be and who would you have joined you on the lineup?

My dream is to do my live show together with a philharmonic orchestra in an opera house around the world.

Beyond the single release, what is coming up next in the world of Valeron?

We are preparing the release of my 4th personal album, which will come out next September by Scorpios Music Label. The album’s concept is the same as that of the previous albums. We blend electronic music with traditional instruments, ranging from downtempo to deep house. In addition to Greek melodies and songs, we also perform music from the Middle East, the Balkans, Latin America etc. This album also includes two covers: one from Sezen Aksu and his Turkish song “Istanbul” and one from a traditional Greek song, called “Aroma”. One point to note is that my band and I have been performing live shows at Scorpios Mykonos since 2017.

Where is the best place to stay up to date with you?

InstagramSpotify & Soundcloud

Thanks for chatting to us today Valeron! Hope to see you soon.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me today.

Valeron’s fourth studio album ‘Aroma’ will be released on September 9 via Scorpios Music. Pre-order here: https://save-it.cc/scmusic/aroma