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Photo: Joe Magowan

Listening to Valencia Grace often feels like staring directly into the London-based artist’s soul. It’s a testament to the emerging artist’s palpable ability for songwriting that in the span of only two singles she has managed to build the foundation for a budding discography that can be championed as both deeply moving and refreshingly authentic. And with her latest single, “Goodbye,” the 18-year-old artist unveils another page of her sonic diary.

“Goodbye” is a heartfelt farewell to someone who is still present. It’s a seeming contradiction but not an uncommon one. Whether we have to set boundaries for ourselves—freeing ourselves of a toxic relationship or realizing you’ve outgrown people that you thought you would never outgrow—or have to come to the painful understanding that this is the final day we’ll get to spend with someone, even if it may not necessarily be their last, saying goodbye to someone who is still here is never easy. It’s a heartbreaking sentiment carried by Grace’s lush voice that belies her age, filling a minimalistic soundscape with all the pained questioning of someone still searching for the right answer.

I had the chance to speak with Grace about her latest single, “Goodbye,” sharing her diary with the world, and what she hopes to manifest in the year to come. 

Ones To Watch: When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist?

Valencia Grace: The first lockdown, when we all had a lot of time to ourselves, I decided to start writing. I needed an outlet, so I wasn't like, "Oh I'm going to become an artist." I just needed to write to save myself, and I started publishing it online because my friends were always encouraging me to do so. I was a bit nervous because it's quite nerve-wracking putting yourself out there, because there's a lot of judgment in the world, but I did it anyway and I guess I got quite a bit of attention. That's when I got approached by my managers. They were like, “So what do you want to do with your life?” And I was like I guess I’m going to do the artist thing first; I’ll do the acting later.

Your songwriting feels very raw. Is your songwriting approach essentially you giving sonic form to whatever you're going through?

Oh, completely. I cannot lie in my writing. I say that it's like a public diary of mine. I found that the best way for me to approach my emotions and whatever I was going through was to turn it into a song. It helped me compartmentalize all the trauma, fear, sadness, happiness, and it helps me better understand myself. I never really know what I’m going to write because I always let my subconscious decide for me. I sit at the piano or guitar and I just start playing and then immediately when I hear the music, I’m like, “Okay, this is what I want to talk about.”

Is it ever a bit nerve-wracking putting a piece of yourself out there?

I saw a comment under one of my posts yesterday, and it read something along the lines of “Your music really helps me. I lost my grandfather the other day and this song means a lot to me.” It was about my song “goodbye” and so no, it's not nerve-wracking at all, because I don't feel like I had anyone to look up to when I was younger. I didn't have a role model. I think that's why people love music, because you can relate to it. To be that person for someone else, even just one other person, it's not nerve-wracking at all. I'm giving away parts of myself whenever I release a song.   

So, let's talk a bit further about your new single “goodbye.” What was the inspiration behind the track and what do you hope people take away from it? 

I was in a rockier relationship with someone. We weren't really seeing eye to eye, but they were sick and it was very difficult to watch someone that you have held closely in your life for a long time deteriorate in front of you. So that was my mindset going into the song; it's literally how do you say goodbye when you're still here. It's having to say goodbye to someone who has not departed, who you know hasn't died. It's very difficult to see someone you love just go away and you can't do anything about it. It's neither one of your faults. And what I want people to take away from it is that it's a normal feeling. It's the circle of life. It’s a natural process. People serve purposes in your life and they don't always stay for the long run, but that's okay.

As an artist who is constantly writing, how do you decide which songs make the cut?

I mean there's no right or wrong. That’s the beauty of being an artist. It's self-expression, there's no textbook way of doing anything and if something works for me, you can't go and give that advice to the next artist. It's very unique.

Do you have any manifestations or aspirations for the year to come?

I really just want to be able to act upon being an artist now. Probably just to see that flourish and see where it takes me. I want to enjoy every single second of it.

What’s your relationship like with TikTok? It's become such an interesting and integral avenue for up-and-coming artists.

I think it's obviously changed my life, so I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that it's given to me. It's a bit difficult because it's quite fast-paced and unpredictable. It did what it needed to do, and it got me to where I am now. It has changed the way that the music industry approaches new music and artists.

Who are your Ones To Watch?

I really like Joy Crookes. I keep coming back to her. I think that she's incredibly unique and her sound is so interesting. I love listening to her music. I feel quite empowered by it and very inspired.