'We don't care who streams our music. Everyone's welcome' - Interview with Deap Valley

MIA CAVEN: I am obsessed with your song, Smile More, but especially the lyrics. I've never heard a song quite like it in the sense that it is very direct and i love that about it. where did the inspiration come from when it comes to that song?

DEAP VALLEY: Thank you! I was very “in the zone” when I wrote that song. Alone in our rehearsal space, no distractions. This is the best way to write, I think. That song really just came to me quite quickly. It was just a simple process of venting, to be honest.  Venting about all the shit bothering me at the time, certain people, certain memories, societal pressure, my personal circumstances at the time, etc. I really love that one too. 

MC: I actually found your song through it being on the soundtrack of my favourite series, Better Things. What was being featured on that show like?

DV: Oh wow! That’s so cool. It’s so special getting to have one of our songs on a show, and even more special when it’s a really great show. Having a song immortalized as part of a soundtrack feels having our song weaved into the fabric of culture. It’s very rewarding. 

MC: when it comes to your music, who would you say you're singing for audience wise - is there a specific audience you're writing to? 

DV: Everyone! We don’t care who loves our music. Everyone is welcome :)

MC: you have a song with over 5 million listens. when writing Baby Call Hell, did you feel it would be such a hit?

DV: Ha! Well, it’s funny cuz that’s the first song we ever wrote as a band, and it’s our most-streamed song. Not sure why that is. But we’ve always loved that one and always hoped that the music would reach a lot of people. The more the merrier!

MC: When it comes to your name, Deap Valley, what was the thing fuelling this becoming the final name for you?

DV: We were just throwing a bunch of band name ideas out there and when Julie said this one I was instantly like “YES!” I knew it was the one. She’s from the valley and I always got teased for sounding like a valley girl growing up. Valley Girl is also one of my favorite movies.

MC: I am genuinely obsessed with the covers for your music, like i mentioned there is an obvious seventies inspiration, but what else inspires the designs? who designs them?

DV: Thank you! We put a lot of effort into curating the artwork. We’re fortunate in that we’ve always had so many talented friends that we’ve been able to collaborate with. Each of the album covers were done by people I love dearly album: Matt Doust (rest in peace, sweet friend), Rachel McCollum (Milo), Ericka Clevenger.

MC: You released an album last year with The Flaming Lips - what was that experience like, that collab?

DV: The best! What a dream-come-true. Wayne and Steven are such a power team. They were fun and easy to work with. Wayne has such a wonderful work ethic and a wild imagination. What a beautiful mind he has. We got to stay at his house for a week while we wrote the first songs for that record and it was an absolute blast.

MC: Was the pandemic something positive or negative for you when it came to creating your music?

DV: I spent most of my pandemic time with my first child as she was born shortly before it started. The timing of it couldn’t have been better for my family, even though that’s a crazy thing to say and I feel a little guilty saying it. I basically just nested with my little family and got to have an extended maternity leave. I did teach quite a few music lessons to some fans via Skype, though, and that was a fun little side thing. 

MC: I like to end on a fun one! If you could summarize your music as a character from any book, show, or movie, who would represent it?

DV: Oh that’s a hard one! So many come to mind, but let’s make it a fun one and go with Harley Quinn from Birds of Prey!