Artist description I am a solo artist who writes/records music. I have been playing drums for 8 years and guitar for 7. Although I create music on my own, I would prefer to participate in a group arrangement!

Music Style Rock, Pop

Musical Influences Anything and everything

Similar Artists The Beatles, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead

Artist History I was once involved as the singer/guitarist/writer for corduroy revolver who managed to record two albums when they were in high school(look for our music on mp3.com). since then I have been writing and recording every now and then and I have managed to finish my solo album.

Group Members Me

Instruments Guitar, Drums, Keyboard

Albums Downcast to the heavy spirits, Steal this Album

Press Reviews Artist breaks the rules on latest By DAN JULIAN The State News Valentin Narvaez broke all the rules when he recorded his solo record. By writing and performing every instrument on this album, he did something that other artists attempting the same feat have failed to do - he made a fine sounding recording. “The Stars are Bombs Luring Overhead” segues to a combination of what would happen if rock band The Cars got funky, but progresses into an easy-going tune with a solid beat. “Red Skies” is held together by a familiar indie-rock drum pattern, and Narvaez’s vocals are soothing and melancholy at the same time. He also does a nice job with harmonizing on this one. Narvaez recruits his girlfriend’s vocals on the soft love-themed ballad “I’ll Always Hold You.” “I’ll be Your Everything” sounds a lot like recent Guided By Voices, while the guitar effects and repeated chorus are a dead on match for something Ric Ocasek of The Cars would do. “Send me Tongues of Fire” is a short tune that ends before it really has a chance to do itself justice. “Warm Yellow Sun” is a powerful and dreary song and a perfect way to end the album. It reaches even farther both in content and emotion. The abundance of guitars and the professional approach of overlapping his vocals are quite impressive, but the use of a drum machine hinders its steam a bit. The songs are long enough to grant a sense of completion and short enough to keep it interesting. Narvaez even throws in a couple random effects-driven pieces that add a hint of personality. No song stands alone, but one listen will surely lead to another. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Local artists persevere to complete solo projects By DAN JULIAN The State News Caleb Dillon wanted to make a statement. Valentin Narvaez wanted to put his art to rest. Mike Melonakos wanted to take advantage of a creative streak. And though they had different motives, each wanted to do the same - write, record and play every instrument on a solo album. This process is nothing new in the music industry. Dave Grohl (of the Foo Fighters) and John Frusciante (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers), for example, each pioneered solo records. But Melonakos, Narvaez and Dillon don’t have the luxury of cash, recognition and groupies for their work. And while Dillon has released two albums with his project, “Starling Electric,” he is slowly realizing how difficult it is to promote his albums, especially since he recently moved to East Lansing. Narvaez, a pre-med freshman, dealt with some frustration while recording his debut album, “Downcast to the Heavy Spirits.” “I didn’t have the resources to record an entire drum kit and I only recorded it in two months,” he said. “If I would have had more time, I would have used more extensive equipment.” Narvaez said the songs on his disc are all songs he wrote when he was in high school. “They are what I didn’t record with my old band and they’ve been modified,” he said. “For some of the songs I had to go back and see what I was like in that time and attempt to reproduce it.” Like Narvaez, the songs on Melonakos’ album, “Beginning the Victory,” are all based on life accounts. “Not too many people write songs the way I do and subjects like I do,” said Melonakos, a general business administration and pre-law freshman. And while he’s gotten good responses from its release, he said, as with all kinds of music, it isn’t something he can force someone to like. “You can’t fill up a room and play your music and tell everyone to like it,” he said. “People can relate, and if they like solo acoustic stuff, they seem to like it a lot.” But as most artists will agree, the creator is his or her own worst critic. Each cited downfalls to their respective albums, admitting underdeveloped vocals and lack of time in the studio as obstacles. Dillon has seem some decent sales of his first two albums, “A Sword in the Spring Office” and his self-titled follow-up, but is determined to push himself even further on his next record, “Clouded Staircase.” “I’m trying to take a lot more time on everything, write better songs and structure things differently whereas before, I’ve been satisfied with things being very simplistic,” he said. “At first, I was experimenting with the idea of making a record to see if anyone would be interested, wondering if it would work out. “I’m still not tailoring to a specific audience or anything, but I’m trying to make it more complex and not a bunch of little songs collected over the years - so it’s a beginning-to-end experience that ties into itself.” Dillon has also performed a few times during the fall semester at Lower Level, 611 E. Grand River Ave., with a band behind him. Melonakos is planning on performing at Noontimes on Wednesday at the Union, while Narvaez is focusing on releasing his record and searching for a band. “I haven’t written any songs since I was in high school,” Narvaez said. “I guess I could if I had an incentive, but I’m not in a band, so there’s really no motivation.” And while each artist admits to music as a hobby rather than a job, it’s proof that to make an artful expression in the form of music, all that is required is some initial motivation, and a passion. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Location East Lansing, MI - USA

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