Valley Shine

Keyboard-centric duo Sam Sobelman & Jenna Blake have a commercial sound that is nothing if not sunny, scintillating and youthful (check out the boat-loads of “bah-dah-dahs” in “Sugar Dream”). While Sobelman’s voice is a fitting front for the act’s material, the pair really soars when blending for bubblegum harmonies, as on “See You Soon,” a lemony-lite parfait that is welcoming and inviting. Our favorite is “To The Sea,” where they shift gears to a heroic, rustic vibe complete with pastoral banjo, deeply resonant kettle drums and handclaps that combine for a gust of “Lion King”-like inspiration. Uber-cinematic, the song causes the listener to conjure visions that are suit- able for an animated fantasy film. - Music Connection

The Only in Hollywood Music & Arts Festival is more a conflagration of events that happen to share the same ZIP code than a festival — and many of those events (concerts at the Fonda, Hotel Café and Amoeba) would be happening with or without the aegis of the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance, which is promoting the festival.

But if you’re a music fan who only hits 90028 for the obvious things, OIH — which kicks off tonight — offers a chance to do some exploring of the next four days. You should check the the full schedule of music events, gallery exhibitions, comedy and theater.

And, figuring you know about the big concerts already, here are some other music-related picks for the weekend:

Tonight

8 p.m.: Robbie Arnett of Milo Greene does DJ gig at the Loews Hollywood Hotel
9 p.m.: Paul Bergmann brings his special voice and songs from his new “Romantic Thoughts” EP to the Hotel Café.
9 p.m.: Silver Needle, one of the most fun bands from the Kiss or Kill Club days of the mid-Aughts, are reuniting for a show at Saint Felix. (Mother Tongue plays after them.)
10 p.m.: Up-and-coming rockers Castro do a set at the cool vinyl shop The Record Parlour on Selma.

Friday

6-10 p.m.: Reggae fans can check out an exhibit of rare photographs by Kim Gottlieb-Walker, author of “Bob Marley & the Golden Age of Reggae), at Caffe Etc.
7 p.m.: Egyptian Lover serenades shoppers with a DJ set at Amoeba.
8 p.m.: Sensei Status, the new band from saxophonist Alekos Syropoulos, performs at the Sassafras Sallon.
9 p.m.: Blues-rocker Jared James Nichols shreds at the Americana Lounge on Cahuenga.

Saturday

4 p.m.: Fresh off their residency last month at Harvard & Stone, Kid Bloom rocks the Record Parlour.
5 p.m.: Not to be missed: Indie trio Alyeska performs at The Americana Lounge. Miles Tackett plays right after them, so hang around.
8 p.m: In the Big Things For a Good Cause Dept. — Those Pretty Wrongs (original Big Star drummer Jody Stephens and Luther Russell), along with Dan Wilson (Semisonic) do a benefit for the Autism Think Tank at the Ivar Theater.
8 p.m.: Singer-songwriter Megan Tibbits performs at Couture on Cahuenga.
10 p.m.: The Hotel Café beckons, with Valley Shine’s record-release party, followed by Guardian Ghost.

Sunday

Noon-4 p.m.: LA Hootenanny hoots and hollers at Saint Felix.
2-4 p.m.: The unstoppable Dublab DJs spin at Amoeba.
7 p.m.: Brooklyn Pets storm the Record Parlour.
7 p.m.: Le Swish jams at the Americana Lounge. - Buzzbands.la

Indie folk band, Valley Shine, released their debut EP, LOCA, a selection of folk tunes that inspire dancing, singing and deep reflection on the changing tides of life. Packed with banjo hooks, acoustic licks and a collection of varying stories, LOCA is now available on iTunes and Spotify.

Jenna Blake and Sam Sobelman fused their respective love for the places they call home, LA and the OC, to form their EP title, LOCA. LOCA opens with the bouncy single, “Sugar Dream” a deceptively sweet pop tune with undeniable hooks that encompasses a message of heartbreak and the struggle to move on. As Sam Sobelman chants, “doesn’t matter what you do love, I’ll still be in love with you,” his voice resonates with earnest sincerity without a hint of bitterness, despite the fact that the object of his affection has fallen in love with someone else. A music video was released for the single in October and can be viewed on YouTube. While “Sugar Dream” has a sunny disposition that brings to mind acts like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, the rest of LOCA trails into a barrage of folk melodies more contemplative than celebratory. On the second track, “Don’t Let It Slip Away,” Valley Shine reveals a more subdued and soothing side as Jenna Blake leads the track with rich and soulful vocals of regret. “If I Was a Bird” is a beautiful gem, echoing both Joni Mitchell and Arcade Fire, as it pairs organic affectations with the wistful presence of Danny Severance’s violin. The EP ends on a note of closure and finality, finishing with the rich orchestration of “To The Sea” that sails off with a breathtaking parting note. As the band proclaims the last line, “the tide is coming for us” the harmonies are as powerful as the ocean the song navigates through. Produced by Max Allyn at The Outpost Recording Studio, LOCA proves Valley Shine to be as embracing of a sweet pop ditty, as they are of an eclectically sophisticated approach to folk music, both of which are a rewarding experience.

With Jenna Blake hailing from Louisville, KY and Sam Sobelman from a sheep farm in Northern California, it seems only natural that Valley Shine would find a distinctly folk sound prevalent in their harmonies. Brought together by a shared love for whiskey, cats and bluegrass music, Sobelman and Blake have enjoyed a rewarding artistic friendship ever since forming Valley Shine. Meeting by chance through Instagram, the two quickly found a perfect match in their collaboration after playing a few sessions together. The duo solidified the lineup for Valley Shine, recruiting Troy Lawton on drums, Danny Severance on violin, Myke Wilken on guitar and cello, and Stewart James on bass.

Valley Shine is an ensemble of characters just as diverse as the patchwork of folk perfection they weave together. LOCA showcases the multitude of range this unique group is capable of. Having been together for just a year, the indie darlings have quickly made a name for themselves, winning over hearts and ears with their well-crafted folk pop and charming live performance. Download LOCA now on iTunes and for more on the sweet life of Valley Shine, visit valleyshineband.com! - VENTS Magazine

Valley Shine is the project of a Kentucky bluegrass-bred woman (Jenna Blake) and a California mountain man (Sam Sobelman –formerly of Lipstick Lumberjack). When they aren’t shooting whisky or playing with their cats, they like to make charming folk pop via acoustic melodies, coed harmonies, and a whimsical spirit. Here’s their majestic single, “If I Was A Bird,” off their debut EP, LOCA, which was produced by Max Allyn and will drop on November 3rd. - Free Bike Valet

Some tunes are slow burners, and others smack you in the face with their immediacy. Valley Shine‘s “See You Soon” is the latter: the verse melody is so infectious, carefully delivered, and beautifully arranged that it gave me goosebumps on first listen.

The band marries delicate folk-pop with joyous indie-pop with such skill that it seems obvious, which is the first sign that there are a lot of non-obvious things going on. Digging into the song reveals sonic and structural complexity, from the many melodic lines the vocals deliver to the delicate balance of intimacy vs. oversharing in the lyrics (they fall on the former side, of course). The overall effect of the tune is remarkable: it’s the sort of thing that you want to play for everyone you know; that soundtracks the joyful conclusion of indie movies; that rolls your windows down almost of its own accord. It’s a powerful tune, but it’s also not trying too hard to be that. These are the sort of songs that I started this blog to cover: songs I can’t stop thinking about. Cheers, Valley Shine.

The tune comes off their upcoming Loca EP, which is just as gush-worthy as “See You Soon.” “To the Sea” presents a different side of Valley Shine’s sound: one that does reach for the epic sweep. The broad, wide-open sound evokes big emotions but stays grounded (through great banjo use!) in it all. It’s reminiscent of the Oh Hellos or Jenny and Tyler’s work. The delicate “If I Was a Bird” strips out the indie-pop affectation and reveals the oh-so-satisfying shuffle-snare country/folk roots of their sound (they even throw in some Simon & Garfunkel, “The Boxer”-esque booms, to prove bonafides).

Jenna Blake leads the song, with Sam Sobelman providing the harmonies. The two switch off throughout the EP, with Sobelman taking the reins for the Beatles-esque opener “Sugar Dream” and “See You Soon” and Blake taking the darker “Don’t Let It Slip Away.” “To the Sea,” naturally, has both of their vocals together in a choir-esque arrangement. It’s like if Fleet Foxes got really, really stoked about something, or maybe if they met the Polyphonic Spree.

I can’t talk about Loca without returning to the term “immediate.” Everything about the five songs here just jumps off the page and demands your attention. They have diverse arrangments, generic range, varied vocalists, and impeccable melodicism. Valley Shine sounds like a band that has been around a lot longer than it has: they’ve created the sorts of songs that can hold up for a long time. This should be the start of something big for Valley Shine. Highly recommended.

LOCA drops Nov. 3 on iTunes. If you’re in Southern California, you should check out their EP release Nov 7 at Hotel Café in Los Angeles. - Independent Clauses

The new single from indie-folk outfit Valley Shine is one of those timeless girl-leaves-boy stories. Except instead of being bitter, morose or vengeful, the jilted dude is … cheerful? “Sugar Dream” is almost too sweet to swallow, but credit the songwriting duo of Sam Sobelman and Jenna Blake for turning the notion of scorned love inside out and making it catchy right down to the last plink of the xylophone. The song, preceded by the equally sunny “Bop Bah,” is from the forthcoming EP, “LOCA.” Valley Shine got its start in early 2014 when Sobelman and Blake met and bonded over “whiskey, cats and bluegrass music.” They are now joined by Troy Lawton on drums, Danny Severance on violin, Myke Wilken on guitar and cello and Stewart James. “LOCA” is due out this fall. - Buzzbands.LA

A cat photo on Instagram inspired the formation of this DIY band. Merging in a most uncommon way, Jenna Blake and Sam Sobelman met after a few “hearts” and “comments” were exchanged over a photo of a cat that Sobelman had posted.

Blake was immediately smitten with the kitten and conversation quickly erupted from that point on. Soon after, they met up and discovered their mutual appreciation for music and a distinctive musical chemistry.

It is through that conversation that Valley Shine was born. In a few short months, after a couple of writing sessions influenced by whiskey, laughs and some banjo pluckin’, they wrote and tracked several songs for their rapidly developing fan base.

Commuting between Orange County and Los Angeles, the dynamic duo began to develop their unique folk-pop sound.

The band’s debut single “Sugar Dream” premiered on Baeble Music and set the tone for what will come from this indie pop band. Upon first impression, the track catches you with its positive and happy exuberance. However, when peeled back, the lyrics reveal a sad love song with heart wrenching undertones.

This unusual juxtaposition is just the start for the duo as they strive to take the norms of the music industry and turn them upside-down with their out-of-the-box approach.

Valley Shine will be releasing their debut EP LOCA in early Fall 2015.

For more information, you can go to valleyshineband.com and Instagram.com/ValleyShine. - Music Connection

There's this tendency today to dismiss music where one of the primary emotions is "sweetness." We (and by that I mean "snobby music critics") want our music angsty and brooding or coolly distant. There's barely any space today for bands that have a genuine appreciation and respect for the brighter aspects of existence. Trust me, I love the National as much as the next dude that lives in Park Slope, but for f***'s sake, I can only listen to "Don't Swallow the Cap" so many times in a day. And for Valley Shine, bringing some warmth and positivity back to music is made into an effortless feat.

We're premiering Valley Shine's new single, "Sugar Dream," and don't let the track's name fool you. This song is warm and uplifting but isn't so treacly that you'll need to get tested for diabetes tomorrow. This folk-pop ditty, reminiscent of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes, features back and forth harmonies between the male & female vocalists, and the melody and chorus find the time to burrow into your brain. - Baeble Music

Valley Shine – LOCA

Los Angeles songwriter, vocalist and strings musician Sam Sobelman, of the band, Lipstick Lumberjack, met his soon-to-be Valley Shine bandmate Jenna Blake of Xu Xu Fang, after she posted a comment about Sobelman’s cat on Instagram. After some enlightening discussions, the two have been “writing and recording foot-stomping music non-stop” ever since, Sobelman told IRC.

Perhaps foot-stomping isn’t exactly the right description, but the duo sure do create cheery folk pop. Sobelman said they piece together influences such as the piano and guitar arrangements of The Head and The Heart, sing-a-long choruses of The Oh Hellos and Angus and Julia’s “male-female vocal harmonies” to create their decidedly pop folk charm. Their debut EP, LOCA, self-released on January 31st, spawns two splendid singles – the gayly uptempo gem, “Bop Bah” (that you might think you’ve heard somewhere before, but you probably haven’t), and the wonderfully innocent daydream, “If I Was a Bird,” – which stand out particularly well from an EP that is enjoyable from start to finish.

“Bop Bah“ – Valley Shine from LOCA – Jan. 31st

“If I Was a Bird“ – Valley Shine from LOCA

Musical Influences: The Head and the Heart, Angus and Julia, The Oh Hellos, Rilo Kiley, Bon Iver, Mates of State

“Indie Rock is DIY!,” Sobelman wrote. ” It’s keeping the process personal: making everything true to the artistic vision of the creators, and rocking the folk out of music.” - Indie Rock Cafe

Putting “Sugar Dream” into a search engine almost led me to a weird place on the internet. The world of My Little Pony seems sweet but then you get into the whole Bronie thing and it takes an odd turn. Thankfully, I added Valley Shine to the mix and escaped a chat room where men are discussing the eloquence of Rainbow Dash, and instead found my way to one of the most infectious songs I’ve heard in awhile.

Splitting time between the smog of Los Angeles and the Disneyland traffic of Orange County, Valley Shine found the balance between folk and pop and have created a sound that even if you’re not a fan of either genres, you can’t help but smile at when you hear “Sugar Dream.” A song that sounds as cute as could be is actually one of those, “what if” tracks recounting a love lost, but not forgotten. The hook being, “…don’t matter what we do, I’ll still be in love with you” remains behind long after the song has come to an end – and when you go back for more and they ask, “Do you miss me?” all you can do is nod and sing along.

Valley Shine’s “Sugar Dream” is out now, and stay tuned to them because they’re playing here and there in Southern California all the time – you just have to keep your eyes wide to catch them. - Coming Up Magazine

New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Indie folk-pop band, Valley Shine, just released their latest single, "Sugar Dream" with captivating hooks and banjo-plucking charm, all of which are signature moves that have helped garner them quick attention. Beneath layers of sweet charisma is the melancholic theme of infatuation from afar. "Sugar Dream" is the first single off their upcoming EP, LOCA, due out later this year. "Sugar Dream" is available on iTunes now.

Following their previous release, "Bop Bah," Valley Shine's "Sugar Dream" is a surprisingly sweet song of heartbreak packed with chipper xylophone notes and a classic sing-along hook in true indie fashion. Sam Sobelman opens the track addressing a woman who will always be the object of his affection, despite her leaving him for someone else. When Sobelman sings, "it doesn't matter what you do, I'll still be in love with you," he holds a sincerity that resonates genuinely kind. His optimism in wishing her well without him is endearing, as he admits to weeping in her absence. "In dreams, receiving sugar as a gift indicates that one's partner might not be loyal," Sobelman explains. "Our song, 'Sugar Dream', is a raucous stomper about the bitter-sweetness of finding and losing love to another." Juxtaposing the somber nature of unrequited devotion with their light and playful folk sound, Valley Shine finds a perfect balance in their approach to indie pop. Jenna Blake's backing vocals follow Sobelman perfectly, making this gem even more delightful with her smooth angelic vocals. Produced by Max Allyn at The Outpost, it is near impossible to hold back from humming along, toe-tapping, or even join in singing by the end of the single.

Valley Shine formed early in 2014 when Jenna Blake and Sam Sobelman met by a stroke of luck and bonded immediately over an appreciation for whiskey, cats and bluegrass music. The two began collaborating and after a couple of writing sessions, they found their musical styles were a perfect match. The pair would go on to enlist Troy Lawton on drums, Danny Severance on violin, Myke Wilken on guitar and cello, and Stewart James on bass completing their indie folk sextet. Valley Shine has performed at venues such as Hotel Café, The Silverlake Lounge, Molly Malones, Bigfoot Lodge and KCRW's Desert Nights at The Standard.

"Sugar Dream" showcases Valley Shine's gift to find the silver lining in anything, with music that is light-hearted and pleasant regardless of the context. The indie folk band is making quite a name for their darling melodies. Download "Sugar Dream" on iTunes today and visit ValleyShineBand.com to follow their enchanting journey. - Top 40 Charts

“I loved everything about you from the start.” If that doesn’t melt your heart, then you haven’t listened to Valley Shine’s latest single, “Sugar Dream,” in its entirety. Based out of Los Angeles, Valley Shine is a 6 piece folk-pop band- Jenna Blake (vocals, keys, guitars), Sam Sobelman (vocals, guitar, banjo), Troy Lawton (drums), Danny Severance (violin), Myke Wilken (guitar, banjo), and Stewart James (bass)- that adds the sweetest pleasures to life’s simplicities.

What started due to a picture of a cat on Instagram, as Blake was scrolling through and found an adorable Bengal, whom Sobelman was the owner, became more than a mutual love of cats, but of music, and grew to become Valley Shine. Having this in mind, the chemistry between the two, and easygoing demeanor, is especially felt on the light-hearted, and catchy sing along track, “Sugar Dream.”






Through the day-to-day motions, taking a break with this track is refreshing to say the least, as ice-cream, flying kittens, or a basket full of puppies, playing a banjo on a sunny day, come into mind between the duo’s harmonizing. What stands out, besides the instant hook, are the keys and subtle plucking of the banjo. This offset is barely audible at times, but balances out the song from going “too sweet,” though with a line like, “doesn’t matter what you do / I’ll still be in love with you / you will always be my sugar dream,” it’s impossible to not smile all day. - Girl Underground

Today for Twitter Tuesday we take a look at Los Angeles based folky-americana-pop band Valley Shine.

The band is fairly new (formed in early 2014) and is now comprised of Jenna Blake (vocals, keys), Sam Sobelman (vocals, guitar, banjo), Troy Lawton (drums) and Danny Severance (violin).

Valley Shine is currently working on recording their first EP LOCA which is set to be released in early summer 2015.

Currently there are only two tracks on Soundcloud so far and I’m sure we will be hearing another single or two from the upcoming EP in the near future. The first track “If I Was A Bird” is great acoustic americana folk with lovely vocals from Blake.

The second track, “Bop Bah” proves they can completely swing the way of pop with the infectious chorus all while still maintaining that folky americana vibe.

We will be keeping an eye on Valley Shine and the release of their upcoming EP. If you dig folky-pop or americana, you really can’t go wrong with Valley Shine. - The Revue

The second week of the Top 10 Indie Rock Songs’ charts for February was topped by the DIY musician Charles Braud, aka Her Magic Wand, for his single, “Everything All At Once,” followed by the No. 2 song, “One of These Days,” from the Australian unsigned band Columbia. The California band Helen Mystic scored the No. 3 spot for the folk rock single, “This Whale.” The No. 4 track of the week was “Be Around” from the southern rock band Steels, followed by the pop single, “Bop Bah” from the Los Angeles duo Valley Shine.

The second half of the Top 10 Songs chart for the second week of February kicks off with the No. 6 track, “Love in Spiritual” from Boston band Sun Cut Flat. The No. 7 song, “Keep Smiling,” was delivered by UK artist David Blackbourn, followed at No. 8 by the tune, “Sail to the Stars” from Virginia band Radiolab. The last two charting songs were captured by Benskuba for “Just A Dream” at No. 9 and “Day Off” at No. 10 from French pop band Hilldale. - Indie Rock Cafe

Valley Shine is the sunny folk group out of Los Angeles, California. Formed by Jenna Blake and Sam Sobleman, the duo enlisted the help of Rob Felsted & Troy Lawton to complete the band’s sound.

“Never Meant To Be” is the duo’s very first live video. This irresistible little porch session is the perfect choice for picking you up out of any lull you may be enduring. From Blake’s Lauper-like vocals to the sing-along worthy chorus woven throughout the song, everyone will be swaying, bopping and singing along in no time. Who knew singing a song about a love that’s not meant to be could be so fun?

The band has a few other songs recently added to their repertoire so be sure to link up with them on their music and social media pages. Valley Shine was only founded this year so you can still be one of the firsts to join them on their folktastic journey! - Word Krapht

Tonight Pop Art Painter Jamie Roxx (www.JamieRoxx.us) welcomes Jenna and Sam of the fantastic Folk/Pop/Americana band Valley Shine to the Show!

www.valleyshineband.com
Valley Shine was distilled from a love of whiskey, cats and bluegrass music. In early 2014, Jenna Blake was in search of a writing partner with an appreciation for folk music who shared her passion for songwriting. Hailing from Louisville, KY, Jenna was influenced by traditional bluegrass music and roots rock like CCR, CSNY and Joni Mitchell. By a sheer stroke of luck, Jenna discovered Sam Sobelman and the two met up to see if there was any musical chemistry. After a couple of writing sessions influenced by whisky, laughs and some banjo pluckin', they quickly discovered their songwriting styles were a perfect match. - Pop Roxx Radio

Some tunes are slow burners, and others smack you in the face with their immediacy. Valley Shine‘s “See You Soon” is the latter: the verse melody is so infectious, carefully delivered, and beautifully arranged that it gave me goosebumps on first listen.

The band marries delicate folk-pop with joyous indie-pop with such skill that it seems obvious, which is the first sign that there are a lot of non-obvious things going on. Digging into the song reveals sonic and structural complexity, from the many melodic lines the vocals deliver to the delicate balance of intimacy vs. oversharing in the lyrics (they fall on the former side, of course). The overall effect of the tune is remarkable: it’s the sort of thing that you want to play for everyone you know; that soundtracks the joyful conclusion of indie movies; that rolls your windows down almost of its own accord. It’s a powerful tune, but it’s also not trying too hard to be that. These are the sort of songs that I started this blog to cover: songs I can’t stop thinking about. Cheers, Valley Shine.



The tune comes off their upcoming Loca EP, which is just as gush-worthy as “See You Soon.” “To the Sea” presents a different side of Valley Shine’s sound: one that does reach for the epic sweep. The broad, wide-open sound evokes big emotions but stays grounded (through great banjo use!) in it all. It’s reminiscent of the Oh Hellos or Jenny and Tyler’s work. The delicate “If I Was a Bird” strips out the indie-pop affectation and reveals the oh-so-satisfying shuffle-snare country/folk roots of their sound (they even throw in some Simon & Garfunkel, “The Boxer”-esque booms, to prove bonafides).

Jenna Blake leads the song, with Sam Sobelman providing the harmonies. The two switch off throughout the EP, with Sobelman taking the reins for the Beatles-esque opener “Sugar Dream” and “See You Soon” and Blake taking the darker “Don’t Let It Slip Away.” “To the Sea,” naturally, has both of their vocals together in a choir-esque arrangement. It’s like if Fleet Foxes got really, really stoked about something, or maybe if they met the Polyphonic Spree.

I can’t talk about Loca without returning to the term “immediate.” Everything about the five songs here just jumps off the page and demands your attention. They have diverse arrangments, generic range, varied vocalists, and impeccable melodicism. Valley Shine sounds like a band that has been around a lot longer than it has: they’ve created the sorts of songs that can hold up for a long time. This should be the start of something big for Valley Shine. Highly recommended.

If you’re in Southern California, you should check out their EP release Nov 7 at Hotel Café in Los Angeles. - Independent Clauses