Q&A with Slowcoaching's Dean Valentino
Slowcoaching is the solo project of Melbourne artist, Dean Valentino. After dazzling us with jangly guitars and dreamy textures with tracks like ‘Night Fiction’, ‘Training Wheels’ and most recently, ‘Pillars of Salt’, it’s no wonder Slowcoaching copped a whole bunch of air play on both triple j and triple j Unearthed. Dean was nice enough to answer some questions I threw his way, check out the interview below.
Tell us about your music! How did this project begin? Slowcoaching started through a desire to try something new I guess... the music I was listening to changed a lot & I became more attached to a lot of post-punk and dream pop, so I just gravitated towards that style of songwriting. It was originally meant to just be a side project, but it got more serious down the line.
You just dropped your brand-new single ‘Pillars of Salt’. Can you explain what it’s about and what your song writing process was like? The song was a combination of a couple of scratchy recordings I’d done & then forgot about, so I guess when I came back to them with a refreshed mind, they just worked really well & it became really easy to piece together. Lyrically, it draws on a super interesting story about an Everest expedition, as well as all the space/nature documentaries I was absorbing at the time.
What makes you inspired to play and make music and who do you draw inspiration from? I draw inspiration from a heap of different things, from traveling to work to learning new things. I have music on my mind most of the time and tend to jot down little ideas or interesting things I learn or experience, so the inspiration to write and create is kind of endless at the moment. Musically, there are way too many acts that blow me away, but I’d have to say being able to work with Neighbourhood Youth, Feelds and a few other friends keep me creative and wanting to achieve more.
If you could collaborate or share the stage with one other artist, who would it be and why? Probably Ennio Morricone. I don’t think I would even want to collaborate with him; I’d just want to sit in on a writing session and enjoy his genius. He has written some of the most prolific movie soundtracks; I love listening to his creations.
Apart from this project, yourself and Kathryn Stirling run Melbourne Management company, Fright Night Music who look after artist's including Feelds and Neighbourhood Youth. What’s it like being a part of both sides of the music industry? It’s pretty interesting getting to work on both sides and getting to experience how much works is actually involved in it all. It certainly gives you a better idea of how to go about each one and I love being able to work with artists that inspire me.
What challenges have you encountered as both a musician and manager in the industry? I find it really difficult to switch off – so my brain is constantly ticking 24 hours a day, whether it’s about the artists I work with or the actual music I’m making. A real challenging part of it is just being able to chill out and have your own personal time. Also, just trying not to take things so personally when they don’t work out for everyone involved.
Tell us about your favourite gig or live experience over the years? We played a little festival in Marysville called Shady Cottage in early April, which was easily the most fun we’ve had playing a show. It was maybe, -1° on the Friday night, but everyone was having such a blast. The other bands that played were also incredible.
What is the plan for Slowcoaching in 2017? Hoping to hit the studio again soon and start to piece together a full-length release, or an EP, which should be released one day in this lifetime. Going to head around for some interstate shows for the first time later in the year too, so really looking forward to hitting the road with the band.
Who are 3 other Australian artists are you loving at the moment? I am ridiculously keen for Fountaineer’s debut album, I think they are one of the most legitimate bands to burst into the Melbourne scene over the last year or so. Can’t praise those guys enough. I’m also really digging Peachnoise, who are an experimental duo out of Melbourne. They’re really great live too. Also can’t wait to hear more stuff from Hatchie, out of Brisbane. Her song, ‘Try’ gets a spin on my Spotify daily – it’s just so damn good.
Do you have any rituals or routines you do before you play a gig? Not really – I’m not very superstitious or anything like that. The Italian in me doesn’t mind a short black before we hit the stage haha. That generally gets the blood flowing.
