With a few tracks behind him including the recent “Always Something You Can Do,” passion-driven indie artist Jack Valero is back with a new single titled “Karaoke Dreams,” setting the stage for his upcoming EP, Not In Kansas Anymore, slated to be released this September.

Through the fresh drop “Karaoke Dreams,” the singer-songwriter makes a commendable effort to entice audiences with the track’s dynamic range and thoughtful storytelling prowess. From a simple acoustic guitar introduction, the song evolves with intricate acoustic work and poignant lyrics that paint a vivid picture of a couple on the brink of a life-changing moment — becoming one of the singer's most effective productions to date.

While Valero continues to impress through his uniquely crafted tracks (earning fast praise for his indie, and acoustic-pop stylings), we took time to chat with the industry rookie about his endearing dedication to creating music with meaning.

Congratulations on your recent release! Is there one moment in particular that you associate with the conception of your new single “Always Something You Can Do”?

Jack Valero: Thanks so much! Well, this song came about when I noticed that all my songs had quite a melancholy content. I’m really big on juxtapositions and often lean towards a happy tune but sad or serious lyrics. Think it sometimes reflects the way life can be so emotionally complicated sometimes. However, I started to feel like things were becoming too cynical and cynicism is dangerous. That’s when the power of the music to help you express yourself or process emotional moments gets taken away and you start giving up. So I decided I needed (at least on a personal level) to make a song that was more positive. Not fake or toxic positivity, the kind that accepts the problems you're facing but still pushes on. For example you may be powerless in the face of all the major problems of the world, but you still have the power to treat the people you meet with decency, respect and maybe lend a helping hand. May not seem like a lot, but it makes all the difference to that person and keeps the faith of humanity going. So I guess I needed my own anthem that said ‘Yeh things are messed up and a lot of it is beyond your control, but that doesn't mean you give up on everything.’ So there’s always something you can do.  

It’s been noted that the song incorporated a mix of Americana-stylized influences and Rolling Stones-esque guitars into its production. Are there any other specific songs or artists that you pulled inspiration from while creating the track?

Jack Valero: I was defo pulling on the country/rock music vibes for this one. I’ve always loved country music, like Dolly Parton, John Denver, Johnny Cash, The Kossoy Sisters, Hank Williams etc. It’s ability to convey so much with such simplicity and humility. It also has a huge capacity for storytelling, not to mention how catchy the tunes are. So I was drawing on that to try and hammer the message home with a repetitive catchiness to stick in people's heads. Not overly complicated, straight to the point but with the added big Jack Valero sound to blast it through. ‘Well buddy, I got news for you’ it’s direct and addressing the listener to get them up and proactive and not to feel alone. It’s saying ‘I’m not done, so you’re not done and we’re still rocking out.’

In “Always Something You Can Do,” you emphasize the power of personal connections during tough times. How has this theme resonated with you personally, especially in today's challenging global landscape?

Jack Valero: Well, it’s the ethos that keeps me going and I’ve had many times where I really wanted to give up. What’s the point? Nothing I do matters, I have no control and so forth. I’ve had many discussions about this with my parents and I still argue that I believe that this point in human history is the most unstable and uncertain since the second world war. My parents grew up in hard times and had to deal with the threat of nuclear war, but now we have that along with the rise of neo-fascist and right-wing leaders as well as global warming. Things are scary, really scary and after experiencing the pandemic we all know how quickly things can go south on a global scale. So I think these days people are prepared for anything to happen, it isn’t so easy to dismiss situations that in the past seemed impossible and so people don’t feel safe. In this situation, your sense of hope can be crushed, but we actually need it now more than ever. There is still beauty in this world and things worth pushing on for. We can still look out for each other and not fall victim to cynicism.  

Conversely, with your emphasis on spreading hope and embracing human connection through your songs, how do you hope your music resonates with listeners in the current socio-political climate?

Jack Valero: The same as all music, for others to not feel alone. If someone hears these songs and thinks ‘Hey, that’s how I feel’ and is comforted in that then it’s done its job. Songs are like beacons you send out into the world saying ‘This is how I feel’ never knowing who might hear them hoping someone will feel the same. Like articulating someone else’s feelings who may struggle to do it themselves and making them feel seen and thought of. Often without ever meeting each other.  

As a songwriter, how do you generally approach the task of combining an uplifting melody with thought-provoking, sometimes darker, lyrics in your music?

Jack Valero: Well, I’ve always felt that there’s no formula. More often than not a song appears in front of you and you kind of see where or how far it takes you. Sometimes the music itself is what inspires the lyrics. For me, the catalyst is an emotional reaction. To something I’ve seen, heard, or experienced. Sometimes it can just be something someone said and then ‘ping’ light bulb and you go rushing for the voice notes on your phone. So I guess it’s less about approaching it and more about how you recognize when it’s arrived and what you do about it. 

Regarding your upcoming EP Not In Kansas Anymore, what are some of the overarching messages and/or concepts that you intend to share with listeners?

Jack Valero: Well obviously the phrase came from that scene in The Wizard Of Oz and it has so much meaning to it in terms of uncertainty. To quote an article written by a guy named Chuck Tanzola ‘It’s a phrase that has come to mean that we have stepped outside of what is considered normal; we have entered a place or circumstance that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable; we have found ourselves in a strange situation.’ This to me encapsulates the times we find ourselves in today but also can apply to many personal situations. The songs on this EP cover both, from my take on the world today as well as some life changing moments of my own. It’s about those times in life when you can feel the gears have shifted and begun turning on a new chapter and you have no idea how it will turn out.  

How did the collaboration with your friend and labelmate Jamie Webster change the trajectory of Not In Kansas Anymore?

Jack Valero: Made it better [laughs]. Jamie is an incredibly talented songwriter and producer, not to mention his whole team Tim Cunningham, Jim Sharrock, and Danny Murphy who are also incredibly talented and lovely people. Jamie however was the first person producing my music who really got right down into the machinations of it with me. He would sometimes come into the booth alongside me and talk through the exact emotion he thought I should be trying to convey with a certain lyric part. Being a musician and brilliant singer he would show me first and then get me to do it, a slightly different way to play a chord or sing a note. He could see the vision I wanted to achieve, sometimes before I had, and knew how to bring it to life. Felt amazing to have someone you had so much respect for having such belief in your work. He got me to believe in it more, play harder, sing higher, and also trusted me to have my own good instincts when the moments came. Was an honor working with them all and I hope it will happen again soon.