A week before the official release of her new album, The Healing, Sarah De Vallière hosted a listening/release party at Tones Studios in Rochester, for fans who booked a spot, which turned out to be close to 60.
In collaboration with Tones Studios, where De Vallière recorded vocals, fans were able to listen to the new album, chat with the talented artist, as well as tour the three floor studio.
Born in Rhode Island and living in Rochester, Sarah has been passionate about music for most of her life, starting with piano at age 3, and eventually graduating from Berklee College of Music. Like many artists, she uses personal experience in her song writing and as well as topics she is passionate about.
Between listening sessions, I had a chance to sit with Sarah for a few questions.
Jamie Mohr: The first time I discovered you, you were portraying Pat Benatar. There is a big difference in music between that and this album, which is very good by the way. Do you have any aspirations or ambitions to do more of that kind of music?
Sarah De Vallière: Not at the moment, though I wouldn’t totally rule it out for the future. I used to be in a relatively popular local 80’s band called the M80s (as the keyboardist) and would sing a bunch of female-led songs, and I did enjoy it. But I’m very passionate about telling stories, particularly through music. As a kid, I originally had an interest in being a filmmaker because I enjoyed storytelling, so I eventually studied film scoring as a way to tie that to my musical skill set. Then, after graduating from music school, I found myself getting right to the heart of what I love, which is telling stories through songs, and performing those songs. Long story short, I have a passion for telling stories, both my story, as well as the story of others, particularly stories that aren’t typically told. I have a deep respect for people who do tributes, and obviously, I have a deep respect for Pat Benatar, but I want to first work on telling my story before emulating someone else’s story.
Sarah De Vallière: No at the moment, that doesn’t mean I would totally rule it out. I was in relatively popular local band 80s called the M-80s (as the keyboardist) but would do a bunch of female songs and I enjoy it, I do enjoy it. I’m very passionate about telling stories and for me music is a way that I do that. I originally had an interest in being a filmmaker, as I’m writing and being an author. And actually, I really like writing music, and studied film scoring, and now I’m back to song writing. Long story short, I really have a passion for telling stories and telling my own story, as well as telling the story of others. Telling stories, that are not told as often. I have deep respect for people who do tributes and that kind of thing. I have deep respect for Pat Benatar, obviously. I want to first work on telling my own story, before I try to emulate a story of someone else.
JM: You mentioned that this is the first music/album that is truly you.
SD: Yes, out of all my previous work, “The Healing” is the fullest expression of me.
JM: The new music seems to have some deep meanings. Is this spiritual or religious based?
SD: Maybe spiritual? I am not religious, although I did grow up in a very religious home, so those themes do end up making their way into my music. Probably what you are referring to in terms of a “religious feeling” comes from one song on the album, “Saint Anne”, which is actually about Leonardo DaVinci. It’s really about his art, and most of his art was religious-themed. But yes, I do have an interest in religious figures. I find them, from a historical and storytelling perspective, very interesting. But when you really look into what I write in my lyrics, it’s likely contrary to what most religious people would want me to think.
JM: First track, “Goddess of The River”…is there a story behind or more a life lesson?
SD: It’s actually a true story of the extinction of the Chinese River Dolphin which went extinct roughly around 2016. I had an interest in writing stories to honor these lost species, and I felt very connected to the idea that the species is lost but we can still learn something from it. Yes, it’s too late for this species to ever come back, but perhaps in remembering its story and thinking of what it meant to the area where it is from, we can resolve to do something about it and save what still remains. “It’s never too late to fail, it’s never too late to mend” means, in a way we failed that species, but we can take its story and feel empowered to do something about it.
JM: One last question. You sat there for 45 minutes or so, what is it like to sit there and listen to your own album in its entirety?
SD: It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be. I thought it would be gut-wrenchingly terrible. This is the first thing I’ve put out that I feel is truly me and because of that, it is a little weird, but I feel good! I liken it to looking in the mirror. When you look in the mirror, you notice all the flaws, and you think “I wish that or that were different”. But at the end of the day, you know, I like my music. And when you have a healthy sense of positive self-image, you look in the mirror and regardless of the flaws, think “You look good”, “You look nice today”, or “You look beautiful”. I’m just happy and appreciative that I can share my true self in this form with people.
JM: Like a gentleman said in there, be proud of this. It’s a great album, super mellow and chill but has very powerful meanings behind each song, which people will talk about.
The Healing is out June 7. Follow along on Facebook or Sarah De Vallière for shows including September 26 at Iron Smoke Distillery
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