When most eighth-graders bring home below-average grades, their parents’ first inclination would likely be to buy them tutoring sessions. When Jillian Valentine brought home a D in Science on her final report card, her parents bought her a guitar. And to this day, her mother stands by their decision to do so: “It’s not that she wasn’t smart – she was placed in honors classes year after year. She just didn’t want to study – all she wanted to do was make music. We figured we’d accept it and support her at what she was good at, in the hope that she’d work hard and excel at her music instead.” ...and that is exactly what she did.
Fast-forward four years later to Valentine’s high school graduation. Her peers voted her “Most Musical” in their Senior Superlatives; her teachers voted her the recipient of the “Baylard Award” - granted to the student who most excelled in journalism for the high-school newspaper. Set on getting a college education, picking a university and concentration was the next step. Combining her passion, musicianship, and literary talent, only one major seemed appropriate: Songwriting.
After a brief stint at Monmouth University, Valentine transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston, home to some of her very own role models, including John Mayer, Gavin DeGraw, and Melissa Etheridge. It was there that she began seriously writing songs. “I always had a hard time finishing songs... they had to be perfect. But one day, a handsome neighbor of mine invited me to play at a songwriting circle at his apartment, and I knew I had to step it up and get something completed... if only to impress him! However, the feeling I got after performing my song at the circle far surpassed any butterflies my crush could have ever given me. I was hooked on writing and performing, and it just verified what I always knew: pursuing a career as a singer/songwriter was absolutely vital.”
While studying at Berklee, Valentine found herself given some amazing opportunities. She spent countless hours practicing and performing with recording artist Ferras for a Background Singing class. “Ferras is, without a doubt, the most talented man I have ever encountered. Just having the opportunity to be exposed to his creative energy and talent so intimately has been a gift.... and he had believed in me from day one. Having someone that extraordinarily talented have faith in you is incredibly motivating. Just watching him play and sing inspired me to teach myself how to play piano. I just wanted to be on his level so badly.” Valentine also got her first ‘five minutes of fame’ when she and her band stumbled into the opportunity to play live for part of a story about Berklee that was featured on CBS News. And most importantly, Berklee helped her find her voice. “For the longest time I thought I had a voice made to sing the blues... until I discovered soul music.”
Valentine credits her distinctive style with finding herself through other artists. Singer/songwriters like Ryan Adams, Sheryl Crow, Tristan Prettyman, and Gavin DeGraw made her realize how necessary it is to be not only the singer, but the songwriter as well. They kept her inspired to write songs that intimately portray herself through music, as well as writing for social causes (i.e. “She Doesn’t Know”, a song written to bring awareness to eating disorders). Soul artists like Bill Withers, Marc Broussard, and James Morrison taught her the importance of singing with passion... and straight from the soul. Lastly, rock and roll icons JET, Silvertide, Rolling Stones, and Allman Brothers taught her that combining rock, blues, and soul is the magical formula she had been looking for. “Exposing myself to a huge variety of music was key to discovering my own style. When I hear someone else do something that sets off a spark within myself, I know that it’s something I need to let out of me through my own music as well. I never stop discovering new pieces of myself in other artists’ music... and I hope I provide the same gift of self-discovery to others.”
Post-Berklee and Boston, Valentine, 22, has recently moved to New York City, where she continues to pursue her musical career. She is currently in the studio recording her first full-length album! The record is due out in early 2009.
Genres:
Acoustic, Modern Rock, Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter (female), Soft Rock
Members:
Jillian Valentine
Setup Requirements:
None Listed
