Dina Valenz
Temple City, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | SELF
Music
Press
Dina just released her four-track debut EP, which was executive produced by veteran contemporary jazz singer-songwriter Mark Winkler (who also co-wrote with Dina the infectious jangling pop/rocker “Favorite Pair of Jeans”) and arranged by renowned jazz pianist/keyboardist Jamieson Trotter. This EP gleefully dances up and down the spectrum of modern-day Pop-Rock with hints of Americana-Blues-Folk served on the side. The CD Opens with the stark title track’ and pulls out all the stops until the final track “All of my Tomorrows.” The EP as a whole pretty much hits on all cylinders. “Miles and Miles” is an eclectic mixture of many different styles of music and covers a lot of ground. The music and vocal presence of Valenz present the perfect musical backdrop for just sitting back and jamming out or playing in the car for a long drive. While each track is similar within their own right, all songs on “Miles and Miles” delivers unique, emotionally charged experiences that will satisfy any aficionado. Of particular note are the smooth, soothing vocals provided by Valenz. She delivers sold performances within her own right, all the while retaining a feminine fullness that compliments the skillful array of sounds brought forward by the rest of the band. Though I could be wrong I suspect musical influences here are as follows: Sister Hazel, Sarah McLachlin, Heather Nova, Anna Nalick.
To sum it up: I give the Dina Valenz and enthusiastic 4 out of five stars and highly recommend this EP to any fan of pop, rock, Americana and Folk. Grab yourself a copy and kick up your heels to some solid songwriting! It definitely sets the standard for the genre, and should be a big hit this Summer.
- Gig Band
Dina just released her four-track debut EP, which was executive produced by veteran contemporary jazz singer-songwriter Mark Winkler (who also co-wrote with Dina the infectious jangling pop/rocker “Favorite Pair of Jeans”) and arranged by renowned jazz pianist/keyboardist Jamieson Trotter. This EP gleefully dances up and down the spectrum of modern-day Pop-Rock with hints of Americana-Blues-Folk served on the side. The CD Opens with the stark title track’ and pulls out all the stops until the final track “All of my Tomorrows.” The EP as a whole pretty much hits on all cylinders. “Miles and Miles” is an eclectic mixture of many different styles of music and covers a lot of ground. The music and vocal presence of Valenz present the perfect musical backdrop for just sitting back and jamming out or playing in the car for a long drive. While each track is similar within their own right, all songs on “Miles and Miles” delivers unique, emotionally charged experiences that will satisfy any aficionado. Of particular note are the smooth, soothing vocals provided by Valenz. She delivers sold performances within her own right, all the while retaining a feminine fullness that compliments the skillful array of sounds brought forward by the rest of the band. Though I could be wrong I suspect musical influences here are as follows: Sister Hazel, Sarah McLachlin, Heather Nova, Anna Nalick.
To sum it up: I give the Dina Valenz and enthusiastic 4 out of five stars and highly recommend this EP to any fan of pop, rock, Americana and Folk. Grab yourself a copy and kick up your heels to some solid songwriting! It definitely sets the standard for the genre, and should be a big hit this Summer.
- Gig Band
Intro: Dina Valenz is a singer/Songwriter that hails from Los Angels area. She’s been making quite a name for herself regionally and nationally. She has received critical acclaim for her amazing songwriting. “Miles and Miles” is her latest 4 track release and the result though far from a self-indulgent ego trip, rather a moving and elegiac artistic statement from start to finish. This is not your overly predictable Ramon Noodle Pop Rock ale artist, no Valenz goes much deeper than that. In-fact Valenz could even be classed as a 4 genera artist: Alternative Rock, Pop, Americana and even contemporary Singer/Songwriter. Valenz has way too much precision and clarity to live in the shadows of overly-predictable Pop Rock. Indeed this is clearly evident in songs like the title track, “My Favorite Pair of Jeans” and “Skinny Bitch” which methodically ups the ante to a very respectable level of catchy musical expression and craftsmanship that transcends typical pigeonholing. The music is also commercially viable with a fresh sound and an entertaining vibe that makes a real connection with the listener. All pieces within this album hold the attentions span of the listener perfectly. In a nutshell this is Alanis Morissette meets Jewel. The 5 song line-up comes fully loaded and appeals to many listeners with a wide variety of musical styles.
Conclusion: I would imagine in time we will hear more from this amazing artists in the near future. No doubt Dina Valenz has carved a marketable niche for herself thus far setting himself up for more marketable success down the road. I would not be surprised to hear his music featured in a major Motion Picture or TV Series one day. But for now I can honestly say this is one artist that clearly gives you a clairvoyant snapshot that is highly original, uplifting and dare I say brilliantly catchy in scope. - All What's Rock
Intro: Dina Valenz is a singer/Songwriter that hails from Los Angels area. She’s been making quite a name for herself regionally and nationally. She has received critical acclaim for her amazing songwriting. “Miles and Miles” is her latest 4 track release and the result though far from a self-indulgent ego trip, rather a moving and elegiac artistic statement from start to finish. This is not your overly predictable Ramon Noodle Pop Rock ale artist, no Valenz goes much deeper than that. In-fact Valenz could even be classed as a 4 genera artist: Alternative Rock, Pop, Americana and even contemporary Singer/Songwriter. Valenz has way too much precision and clarity to live in the shadows of overly-predictable Pop Rock. Indeed this is clearly evident in songs like the title track, “My Favorite Pair of Jeans” and “Skinny Bitch” which methodically ups the ante to a very respectable level of catchy musical expression and craftsmanship that transcends typical pigeonholing. The music is also commercially viable with a fresh sound and an entertaining vibe that makes a real connection with the listener. All pieces within this album hold the attentions span of the listener perfectly. In a nutshell this is Alanis Morissette meets Jewel. The 5 song line-up comes fully loaded and appeals to many listeners with a wide variety of musical styles.
Conclusion: I would imagine in time we will hear more from this amazing artists in the near future. No doubt Dina Valenz has carved a marketable niche for herself thus far setting himself up for more marketable success down the road. I would not be surprised to hear his music featured in a major Motion Picture or TV Series one day. But for now I can honestly say this is one artist that clearly gives you a clairvoyant snapshot that is highly original, uplifting and dare I say brilliantly catchy in scope. - All What's Rock
Remember light and bubbly pop? It seems almost every decade bares this mark of female bands and/or singer-songwriters who balance airy, breezy songs about love with a few songs with bite about politics, societal clichés or said lovers who might eventually yield heartbreak. Dina Valenz's latest EP, Miles & Miles fits this Cali artist well into this class of cool chicks. With a Broadway theatre quality voice (reminding me of Idina Menzel), she wavers from soft whispers to rocking out for emphasis on "All of My Tomorrows" and "Miles &Miles".
Before you peg her as that girl with only songs about being in a comfortable relationship (admittedly that's where I naturally gravitated), she cheekily roars back with doo-wop inspired "Skinny Bitch" about the lady carrying pets as accessories,designer labels and fake bodyparts we've probably all encountered who inexplicably steals the guy away. Ending the EP on a strong note, "Miles &Miles" could easily wind up on a movie or musical soundtrack, proving Dina won't have to travel very far to reach her promising next-level potential. - Music Emissions
Remember light and bubbly pop? It seems almost every decade bares this mark of female bands and/or singer-songwriters who balance airy, breezy songs about love with a few songs with bite about politics, societal clichés or said lovers who might eventually yield heartbreak. Dina Valenz's latest EP, Miles & Miles fits this Cali artist well into this class of cool chicks. With a Broadway theatre quality voice (reminding me of Idina Menzel), she wavers from soft whispers to rocking out for emphasis on "All of My Tomorrows" and "Miles &Miles".
Before you peg her as that girl with only songs about being in a comfortable relationship (admittedly that's where I naturally gravitated), she cheekily roars back with doo-wop inspired "Skinny Bitch" about the lady carrying pets as accessories,designer labels and fake bodyparts we've probably all encountered who inexplicably steals the guy away. Ending the EP on a strong note, "Miles &Miles" could easily wind up on a movie or musical soundtrack, proving Dina won't have to travel very far to reach her promising next-level potential. - Music Emissions
Dina Valenz is a talented young singer-songwriter from San Pedro, California whose latest EP, Miles & Miles, can be described as fun, sincere, and blunt. Miles & Miles is a four song lesson on creative songwriting that exposes the world outside of Los Angeles
to Dina's talents as a singer-songwriter.
An awesome combination of acoustic driven pop-rock, the project has a great deal of relatable subject matter that is delivered from Dina's bird-like voice. Songs like "My Favorite Pair of Jeans" make Miles & Miles a great addition to your iTunes and Spotify playlists. With some some help from co-writer Mark Winkler, Dina creatively declares, "You are comfortable, and you are wonderful. They don't make them like you baby,
anymore. We've been through 100 washes, and been hung out to dry. Baby you're the
best friend that money can never buy. You're like my favorite pair of jeans."
Songwriting at this level is an artform that only those with elite talent have mastered, and Miles & Miles is proof that Dina and her co-writers belong in that class. You'll hear it also on other songs, like the title track Miles and Miles.
Overall, Miles & Miles is a journey that is worth taking with Dina Valenz. Much to my delight, I found Dina and her EP to be very refreshing and well worth checking out. - I AM Entertainment Magazine
Dina Valenz is a talented young singer-songwriter from San Pedro, California whose latest EP, Miles & Miles, can be described as fun, sincere, and blunt. Miles & Miles is a four song lesson on creative songwriting that exposes the world outside of Los Angeles
to Dina's talents as a singer-songwriter.
An awesome combination of acoustic driven pop-rock, the project has a great deal of relatable subject matter that is delivered from Dina's bird-like voice. Songs like "My Favorite Pair of Jeans" make Miles & Miles a great addition to your iTunes and Spotify playlists. With some some help from co-writer Mark Winkler, Dina creatively declares, "You are comfortable, and you are wonderful. They don't make them like you baby,
anymore. We've been through 100 washes, and been hung out to dry. Baby you're the
best friend that money can never buy. You're like my favorite pair of jeans."
Songwriting at this level is an artform that only those with elite talent have mastered, and Miles & Miles is proof that Dina and her co-writers belong in that class. You'll hear it also on other songs, like the title track Miles and Miles.
Overall, Miles & Miles is a journey that is worth taking with Dina Valenz. Much to my delight, I found Dina and her EP to be very refreshing and well worth checking out. - I AM Entertainment Magazine
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Emerging as a formidable artist these past few years on the SoCal music scene, singer/songwriter Dina Valenz currently performs on a monthly basis at the Long Beach Town Center as part of their Live Music Series. The multi-talented performer has also played at numerous clubs throughout Los Angeles, including recent gigs at the Kibitz Room at Canter's on Fairfax, The House of Blues - Voo Doo Lounge and the LA County Fair.
The San Pedro, California native is a familiar presence on the L.A. club scene from the handful of years she spent with Not Like The Other, where she was the lead singer and only female. Joining the band while enrolled as a Drama major at UC Irvine, Dina continued with them for several years after earning her degree, performing No Doubt, 311 and Sublime covers at hotspots like the House of Blues Foundation Room and the Cat Club. Working later with female quartet Everything Nice (and Then Some!), she developed a keen ear for harmonies, an experience that plays an instrumental role in her songwriting today.
Emerging now with a completely different musical style in line with key influences like Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow and Jewel, Dina is gearing up to release her four-track debut EP, which was executive produced by veteran contemporary jazz singer-songwriter Mark Winkler (who also co-wrote with Dina the infectious jangling pop/rocker Favorite Pair of Jeans) and arranged by renowned jazz pianist/keyboardist Jamieson Trotter. Other tracks include the happy, carefree love song All My Tomorrows, the haunting, bluesy heartbreak tune Miles and Miles and the infectious and edgy, attitude driven Skinny Bitch.
My music is very much inspired by the pop music of the late 90s, she adds, and those were the artists who inspired me to pick up the guitar, sing and write what I feel. The four songs on the EP offer a pretty good spectrum of my writing these days. I feel like Im in a great creative place and after going through many ups and downs, Im writing about the things that have gotten me here.
Dinas musical destiny began taking shape at age 12, when she picked up the guitar for the first time. She remembers practicing every day after school until her mother forced her to go to bed. Ever since then, she says, my guitar and I have pretty much been inseparable. Spending much of her lunch hours at school playing and singing for tips for the kids (Skittles, lunch tickets, etc.) She later joined the high school Vocal Ensemble and participated in every performance and talent show she could sign up for. During her senior year, Dina played her first open mic night, where she had the opportunity to play six songs in a row. I got all my friends out to see me and I was hooked! she says.
Dina is still hooked (and writing hooks!) on the joy of performing for audiences, on singing and playing her guitar and writing more songs which she hopes to licensing to television and film as she builds her solo career. She says, Ive done a little of everything, from acting to writing screenplays to singing in bands and a capella and none of those experiences are as meaningful to me as writing and singing my own songs. The best part of the creative journey has been finding myself in the process. This is always going to be what my life is about.
Band Members
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