Grace Valerie, the Russian-born singer of “When the Lights Go Down,” cracked into the mainstream with help from American Idol’s Randy Jackson – and is now an independent artist making her own music.

Grace Valerie Exclusive

“Randy discovered me when I moved to the United States about like five years ago, and it’s been a great journey,” Valerie told uInterview in an exclusive interview. “I think we did a lot of great stuff together…. Now, however, I’m doing a lot of songwriting by myself. So right now I’m in this process of creating my own music and kind of like following my lead, but Randy definitely helped me so much.”

One of the new songs that Valerie wrote for this next stage of her career is the love ballad/club song “Magic,” which the singer describes as “bright” and “completely positive.” Valerie predicts that not only will people relate to her upbeat lyrics in “Magic,” but they’ll enjoy dancing to its infectious beat.

“It’s a great smash for summer, like a club song, but the lyrics that I wrote are so genuine and this song is completely positive, an incredible love song,” Valerie said. “It’s an expression of pure love and it’s just so positive. I cannot even find any other words. It’s just so bright. […] ‘Magic’ is all about the magic of love.”

“Magic” will be the lead-off single for Valerie’s new EP, which she plans to release in August. Like “Magic,” the rest of the tracks that Valerie is writing for the album will have a positive vibe and beats fit for the clubs.

One of Valerie’s musical influences in her journey coming into her own as an artist with genuine lyrics set to dance music is pop star Miley Cyrus. “She’s great. I feel as a musician you should be true to yourself. You should do what you love to do,” Valerie explained. “And your fans, people in general, will always see if you’re not honest about what you’re doing or what you’re saying, so I’m always really supportive of people who are not afraid of being who they are and do what they love to do.”

 

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Q: What has your collaboration with Randy Jackson been like? -

Randy discovered me when I moved to the United States about like five years ago, and it’s been a great journey. He’s incredible. He’s a great person and he’s such a talented musician himself, so I totally trusted him with my music selection when we started working together. I think we did a lot of great stuff together, and my first single “When the Lights Go Down” hit the clubs in 2011 it was on Billboard Charts and UK charts. It was like really incredible. I was able to tour in the United States and meet a lot of people so that experience was amazing. Now, however, I’m doing a lot of songwriting by myself. So right now I’m in this process of creating my own music and kind of like following my lead, but Randy definitely helped me so much. Pretty much, he saw the vision for me and he shared it with me, which I’m so grateful for that because I followed his lead and it’s just incredible. He’s a blessing.

Q: How has Miley Cyrus influenced your career and music? -

She’s awesome. She’s great. I mean, I feel as a musician you should be true to yourself. You should do what you love to do. And your fans, people in general, will always see if you’re not honest about what you’re doing or what you’re saying, so I’m always really supportive of people who are not afraid of being who they are and do what they love to do. So she’s great.

Q: What can you tell us about your single ‘Not for Love’? -

‘Not for Love’ was recorded a year ago. It was an incredible experience because I was working with Michael Busby and we did the music video in Nashville. We recorded that music video in Nashville. It was a great collaboration between LA and Nashville – the music capital of the United States. So it was great. I met incredible people. I love Nashville, it’s so cool and I cannot wait to be back this year – this summer actually – and meet my fans and you know just enjoy the city, so that was incredible. I just love traveling and meeting incredible songwriters and incredible producers. I’ve been really blessed working with Randy and Busby and lots of other amazing people, and so it’s all about my new single ‘Magic,’ and I cannot wait for my fans and people to hear that.

Q: Can you describe what ‘Magic’ is about? -

‘Magic’ is a love/dance ballad. It’s a pop dance song. It’s a great smash for summer, like a club song, but the lyrics that I wrote are so genuine and this song is completely positive, an incredible love song. It’s an expression of pure love and it’s just so positive. I cannot even find any other words. It’s just so bright. You know, like lots of love songs you can divide them on positive love story-negative love story, when you kind of experience a bad relationship. ‘Magic’ is all about magic of love. ‘Magic’ is all about positive vibes and just being in love and just enjoy every second.

Q: What other songs will be on your new EP? -

I’m working on new songs and I’m planning to release my EP in August. It’s gonna be a lot of great songs, pop dance club songs. And of course all of the songs will be positive. Also, the songs will be about love; this is how it feels. It’s just dear to me to describe love, not only to your girlfriend or boyfriend, but to your friends, to your family ,so most of my songs are about love and most of my songs are super positive. My summer EP will be all about great energy, being in love, loving your family, loving your friends, just having a good time.

Q: What do you look for in a music video? -

When I watch other people’s videos I love to see a story. I love to see great styling and great outfits and amazing makeup and hair and all this stuff that girls love. Or, incredible dancing. So in my videos I either combine all of it, or stick to a certain story, or it’s just like dancing. So for ‘Magic,’ specifically, I’m not sure what my video will be about, but I envision myself in the video right now. I think ‘Magic’ will be something in a club or at the part with my friends just enjoying having a good time, dancing, laughing, pretending it’s Friday.