We had the good fortune of connecting with Isabel Valencia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Isabel, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Medellín, Colombia. I grew up in that whole narco-violence era and can say that I am privileged to have survived it. Unfortunately, it is a shadow that still haunts Colombia, and yes, some fears come from time to time when part of my family still lives there, or when I go visit, even though it’s not as horrible as it was back in the day.  Music has always been an escape from all that, a way to channel my feelings. My first songs were full of fear and depression from all that stress, and anxiety that war can cause on a kid. Still, today my music has a bit of that vibe in it. I guess now a bit more mature, seeing it from the outside in, and overcoming some of those fears, but probably still influenced by that.
Trying to overcome these things, has influenced my music in ways that I try to analyze and look consciously for answers in me, in why I think, act, or make decisions in a certain way. I guess I make mostly music to create awareness in me, to channel what’s in me, understand me, and hopefully, it will arise some awareness for someone else. Conscious music, I would call it, although it might sound a bit pretentious, lol! On the other hand, I was also very lucky to have grown up in such a rich cultural country, with so many musical harmonies and rhythms that subconsciously, or even consciously have influenced me as a musician.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I think we all as humans are unique in one way or another, in terms of my art, I have a voice and things to say that come out uniquely as well, I don’t have the usual pop female voice, which is not good or bad, it is what it is. My songwriting is mostly about exploring my thoughts and understanding psychologically, and why not, spiritually, what’s happening in me. I try to do all this as honestly and authentic as possible without giving it all away. I use lots of metaphors in my lyrics, and I like when people tell me what it means to them… the meaning comes in very different, interesting, and beautiful ways to everyone.

What is not easy for me it’s letting go, and overthinking if what I’m doing will express what I need to say… I guess all those self-conscious demons that haunt me also inspire me. It’s an ongoing process to grow and be a better person, artist, and musician. A never-ending endeavor.

In terms of production and arrangement I like very much to convey memorable details, a guitar riff, the melody for the voice, and even the bass lines, I love when I can sing to my basslines, lol!

The biggest lesson I’ve learned from music is acceptance. Accept my voice, my songwriting, my self, my path. Music also teaches you to listen, as obvious as it can sound, but, really pay attention, and last but not least, to be present. When you are performing live, you must be in the moment, there’s no room for something else in your mind, such as, “gotta run an errand, I have to call someone” whatever it might be… if my mind goes that way, that’s when I screw up, lol!

I wouldn’t say that I want the world to know about me, but rather, I would like the world and people out there to connect with me through my music. Hopefully, find a way to help channel many feelings and emotions for someone else.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Everybody has this concept that LA is only Hollywood, and I don’t blame them, that’s pretty much what most of the movies or series show, but I love that LA has a wide variety in culture, food, and interesting places to go.

Just driving through Santa Monica Boulevard, East to West, there’s a different culture and atmosphere from one block to another.

When my friends come out here I like to take them on hikes, such as Los Leones, and some of those Malibu hikes, that way they get to see the ocean, Venice, and Santa Monica. Echo Park, it’s also cool, the downtown fashion district is nice to walk as well, the Broad Museum, Disney Hall, LACMA Museum and the La Brea, and the natural museum.

For food… I loooove food in LA! it’s so good! I like this vegan place on Fairfax avenue called “Taco Vega”, vegan Mexican food, it’s great, and I’m not even vegan, lol!
I also love taco trucks, such as “El Chato”, I could eat tacos every other day. I also love sushi. There’s a very good sushi place in WeHo called “Niko, Niko”, also, Tahi food, in WeHo, love “Galanga” and right in front of you just want a quick bite, “Astro Burger”, Korean BBQ, it’s definitely another great experience, Indian food. Also, there’s this Mediterranean place in Glendale called “Elena’s”, the best Mediterranean food in my humble opinion, and you feel like you are eating at your mom’s place or something like that because of the setup of the place. I could continue, but I have a very long list, and would never finish this interview, lol!

I’m not a party animal so I wouldn’t know where to take them in that department, I’ll have to look up what’s going on in the city that week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The main reason why I called my band, Wonderfox and not Isabel Valencia, is because I know I cannot do this on my own. I need a team, friends, and people that support me and believe in this in any possible way… and I do have a list … a big one, lol! 🙂 People such as Nicholas Staub, engineer, and co-producer for the last album “Como Entrar y Salir de un Laberinto” (How to enter and exit a labyrinth), Manuel Moran, my friend, mentor, and manager, my friend and great supporter Mauricio Lopez, the very talented Dilson Diaz, Arturo Bengoa photographer and videographer who has helped me do our last videos, photographer Rafael Marquez, my friend and video editor mentor Giovani Dal Monte, my mentor in styling and friend Juanita Londono, my friend Tiago D’Errico, all the musicians that have played with me, Andres Zuluaga, Alejandro Villegas, Abe Sanchez, Argel Cota, Alex Bajos, Joe Cambra, Freddy Aguirre, and I will totally forget a bunch of more people… but can’t forget about my family and my partner, who’s been through it all, Alex Figueroa.

Website: www.wonderfoxmusic.com

Instagram: @wonderfoxmusic

Twitter: @wonderfoxmusic

Facebook: @wonderfoxmusic

Youtube: @wonderfoxmusic

Other: Also in all streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, etc

Image Credits
Rafa Marquez, on Instagram as @elmarquexx Diego Molina, on Instagram as @Diiegoamolina

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