Valley
Photos and review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography
Valley’s a band that’s a little hard to pigeonhole, because they’re poppy with a light and airy visage, they’re good looking, they’re from Canada, and then they hit you with super deep, clever, painful relationship lyrics that make you go wait a minute, I’m singing along to this bop but it’s making my heart hurt.
On October 19th they came to the great UC Theater in Berkeley, and every time I see Valley I’m struck by the amount of young men in the audience, who in an informal quick count have outnumbered the women, and who are fully involved in singing along next to their bro friends. It looks like catharsis.
Valley played a great 23 song set filled with many tracks from their newest album Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden, including kicking the night off with the title track, then having a vote mid-show to see what the crowd wanted them to play, cheer decibles measured by the sound guy for fairness. “Sports Car” was chosen, and then after that “Namedropper” won the second vote, so Valley played both to much fan happiness. We also got “Lost In Translation,” “When You Know Someone,” and “Bop Ba” to close out the night at the end of a two-song encore.
Main bandmates Rob Laska, Karah James, and Alex Dimauro looked like they were having a great time the whole show. Rob’s voice was in great form, Karah switched from drums to guitar, Rob talked about Moo Deng versus Pesto in between moving from guitar to keys, Alex bounced around the stage playing guitar, and Rob sat still and spotlit on the floor singing. It’s a total win when the crowd and the band are all having fun together.
Opening support was first from soloist Charli Adams and then from band Mickey Darling – info for them can be found at www.charliadams.com and www.sexiestboyband.com
The Valley tour continues through North American – all news and info can be found at www.thisisvalley.com.
