Interview: In The Valley Below
4 min read
In The Valley Below are a new duo hailing from Los Angeles. Made up of members Jeffrey Jacob & Angela Gail, the pair are preparing for the release of the their brand new 4 track EP, Peaches which is set for release on 17th of September through Capitol Records.
With a beautiful combination of indie and pop melodies and a seasoning of retro to give the collection its nostalgic appeal, Peaches is a stunning introduction to the rise of this brand new duo and puts the spotlight on the pairs songwriting and vocal talents.
As we get closer to the release of Peaches, Renowned For Sound caught up with In The Valley Below to talk about the bands latest offering and their upcoming shows with White Lies. Here is what they had to tell us:
Brendon Veevers: How are you today and where does our interview find you?
In The Valley Below: We are tranquil in the rain in Big Bear Lake, California.
BV: Your new EP is called Peaches and it is released on September 17th. Can you talk to us a little about the EP?
ITVB: It has our song Peaches and three more songs that are our favorites to play live. It’s the surface of the full length album that will come soon.
BV: For those less familiar with the band, how would you describe your sound and your style?
ITVB: We are emotional and passionate and like to swim deep in the darker side. We play guitars and keyboards, chains and drums and sing love songs in tandem. We are driven by sex, love, faith and altered states. Like most of the world.
BV: Peaches is your first single – what have you done so far to celebrate the tracks release and such a huge moment at the start of your career?
ITVB: Champagne and gasoline.
BV: Who would you say is the bands biggest influence?
ITVB: Phil Collins.
BV: It’s been announced recently that you will be heading out on the road later this year with White Lies. How did that opportunity come about?
ITVB: White Lies offered us the supporting role for their tour and we think they are all very attractive and talented so we said yes.
BV: Have you met the band yet and what are you most looking forward to about hitting the road with those guys?
ITVB: We have not met them yet. We imagine they smell nice, and we are looking to improve our British accents.
BV: Is there a venue on the tour roster that you are particularly looking forward to playing and if so, why?
ITVB: We always look forward to the first time with someplace. Oslo, Stockholm, Warsaw and many more are virgin territories we’re insanely curious about. Also venues like Le Trianon, Roundhouse, Toronto Opera House and the Great American Music Hall, we’ve heard great things.
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BV: What’s the story behind the name of the band?
ITVB: It began as a lyric from a Bob Dylan song One More Cup of Coffee. We are in that valley below.
BV: A bio that we were given recently provided us with the following info about you both: “Jeffrey grew up in the storied musical town of Memphis, given a guitar at the age of 13 and creating music from that point forward. Angela left the binding depths of a “mostly cold and cloudy town in Michigan,” for a life at sea, finding initial songwriting inspiration while living on a small boat in the West Indies”. From such different upbringings, how did you both find each other and form In The Valley Below?
ITVB: We met in Los Angeles, first as distant admirers of each other. We crossed paths several times but never spoke. Eventually we met through friends and ended up playing in a couple bands together as bass and guitar. One trip to SXSW we fell madly in love and decided to start a side project for fun.
BV: What would you say has been the most challenging thing that you have both had to endure or what is the biggest thing that you have had to sacrifice, if anything, for the career paths you have chosen?
ITVB: We spent years living in LA playing music, making friends, working disposable jobs and living simply. It is the only sane option for both of us despite the ups and downs. We wouldn’t change anything. Once we stopped caring about impressing anyone we found our home.
BV: Are there any acts out there that you would love to collaborate with or tour with and if so, who would they be and in what capacity would you like to see a collaborative project?
ITVB: Phil Collins. We would like to work with him in the studio and tap his black pool.
BV: Where do you draw inspiration from when penning a new song?
ITVB: Relationships and trying to apologize for or comprehend what’s happening.
BV: Is there an album on the horizon?
ITVB: Yes, we will be releasing The Belt in 2014
BV: What else does the band have planned for 2013?
ITVB: Touring, writing and holidays.
In The Valley Below’s new EP Peaches is out on September 17th
::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
