Valentime

12/06/25

What do you look for when picking an artist/designer to create the visuals for your
songs? And does the idea for the visuals come to you before, during or after the
creation of the song?

I usually go with someone who brings something different. I look mainly for uniqueness—my music leans more on the niche side compared to most of what’s out there, so I want the visuals to reflect that too.

I also really value passion. I don’t just want to give orders— I like working with someone who has their own creative vision. Like with 24 Minutes, at first, I didn’t really know how I wanted it to look visually.

Crafted and modelled by Tramihsah for Valentime (May 2025)

But then @tramihsah came up with the waiting room idea, and I immediately fell in love with it. I think it’s important to get input as an artist, especially when so much of what you do is for the listeners. I trust the people I work with to see something in the music I might not—and that’s where the magic happens.

Where did your relationship with music start?

Music has always been around me since I was young, but I only started making music for myself a little over a year ago. At first, it was just something I did for me—I’d create the kind of songs I wanted to hear and just save them in my files.

I’m 18 now and as I go through the usual ups and downs of growing up, I’ve realized how much music helps me cope. I’ve always been quite reserved when it comes to talking about what I’m feeling. Music is where I can share everything and not feel judged.

Valentimes notebook where they first got the idea for 24 minutes

Do you think strong visuals are just as important as the music itself in todays
industry?

100% yes. Music’s changed in a way where just the songs aren’t enough anymore (at least not to me). More and more artists are breaking through by leaning into a full theme or aesthetic.

Everything matters now, from the lyric videos to the cover art. When I started working on the EP I’m currently making, the look of it came in early. Kaden Griffin, an amazing photographer I know, did a full shoot for it, and honestly, that set the tone for all the songs.

It’s about crafting a whole world people can step into, not just a track they play once.

Your song whistle was made in collaboration with proderics and melodybloom. How
was the collaboration experience and how did this happen in the first place?

Whistle was one of the first songs I ever made. I started it over a year ago, produced the track, and recorded a demo before sending it over to Melody to do vocals.

Looking back, there wasn’t really a set plan for it. At the time, I wasn’t necessarily planning to release it or anything, but every now and then I’d open the project file back up and keep building on it.

Eric and I have been sharing music with each other since I started making music, and Whistle was probably one of the first songs I sent him. Months later, it randomly came up in a conversation.

Since I wasn’t really planning to do anything with it, I just sent over the stems. That was when Whistle transformed. It went from a DnB track to something more influenced by bedroom pop.

How much of your growth do you attribute to Spotify’s algorithm (playlists, Discover Weekly, etc.) vs. your own marketing?

It’s honestly been a mix of both. Whilst a majority of people came from Whistle, Spotify recommending my songs to listeners worldwide really helped connect my sound with the kind of listeners I wouldn’t have reached otherwise.

Do you believe in creative genius?

Yes and no. At least for me, in terms of music, I think it's not really something you learn, but at the same time it's something you can gain.

When I started out, all I had were ideas for songs that I couldn't really build out. I think what it really takes is time and practice.

Who would you say are the big hitters in your space/genre and who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

When talking about big hitters in my genre, I can’t help but say PinkPantheress. What she’s done with her visuals and sound really stood out to me early on.

She’s been a huge inspiration since I started, and kind of why I started in the first place. As for collaborations, I love working with other upcoming creative artists across any genre.

There’s something special about working with someone who is just as locked in and excited about the process. It makes everything feel exciting and real.

What is life for Valentime like outside of the music world? What activities fill your time?

I’m doing a BFA in Animation Design at the moment. Aside from that, I am really into drawing, watching movies, pretty much consuming all forms of media possible. And as of recently, I have gotten more into writing.

Writing used to feel like such a chore, but as I keep making more music and just growing as a person overall, I feel like I’m more comfortable speaking my mind and properly saying what I want to say.

One of the songs where I really felt that shift was 24 Minutes. I wrote the whole thing myself, and it is probably my favourite out of everything I have made so far.

I think being able to fully write it from my own perspective played a big part in that.

The cover of "24 Minutes". Avaliable on all DSPs

Why do you keep going?

I keep going because there is still so much I want to learn, so much I want to say, and so much I want to show. I want to prove to myself that I can actually do this, there are moments where I catch myself wondering, "maybe this is not the right path for me." But so much of my life revolves around music now.

I have too many ideas, too many plans, and too many goals I’m working towards. I started making music just for fun, but it has turned into the thing I care about most. And honestly, I do not know what I would do without it <3.