Rising Stars: Meet Michael Valenzuela of Calgary (Canada)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Valenzuela

Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
At an early age I was drawn to music, animation, art, and film. As a child, I was very imaginative and spent much of my time solving puzzles or creating something out of whatever materials I could find. I loved experimenting and ”figuring out” how to transmute my ideas into reality. All of my schoolwork was vandalized with my own impulsive doodles. Constantly creating my own worlds and characters. Creativity was my escape from an otherwise confusing world where I struggled to find my place.

My interests all bled into each other as I got older. As a teenager in the late 90’s, I started writing songs, performing live, and attempting to record music. I was a self-taught drummer and listened to so much music that I was able to absorb key fundamentals and offer input to my band as a songwriter. At the same time, I was dabbling with art, photography, video production, graphic design, and animation. I often had to design art, logos, merch, posters, and flyers for my bands out of necessity. People in my orbit began requesting drawings and eventually hired me to design graphics for them, well before I was officially a graphic designer.

I went on to Post Secondary to study Art, New Media Production and Design, Marketing, and Advertising.

I continued on that journey and am now an Audio/Visual artist. I work full-time as a Graphic Artist, but am also a Video Editor, Musician, Songwriter, Composer, and Producer. I’m also developing my skills as a Music Video Director.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not always been smooth. Like many artists, it took me some time to find my true voice, to understand my message, and to develop my style. This is vital in order to create from a place of authenticity, I had to learn how to embrace my truest self, and to not be afraid or concerned about what other people thought of me. I had to learn to be bold enough to let my expressions be dark, haunting, vulnerable, or provocative, while accepting that it was also ok if my work was basic, silly, calming, cynical, or hopeful. Every emotion has it’s merit.

Finding the confidence to embrace who I am was a struggle, though. As an often misunderstood, neurodivergent person, I often masked a lot to fit in or to be liked. I would fleet between wanting to be seen and wanting to be invisible. I used to be incredibly insecure despite how people praised me for my talents. I felt a heavy sense of imposter syndrome.

I would often put so much pressure on myself as a person, especially as an artist. I have had to learn to surrender to the process. To let things flow and occur organically. To let each project inform me and guide me as I create it. I had to learn to check in with myself and shift focus as necessary.

I have also had to overcome many financial limitations, chronic pain, and mental health issues throughout my life. As much as these things took time to cope with or learn how to mange, I think they also gave me a lot to write about. I could create music and visuals that could help people who could relate to me in those areas.

I think a lot of us have traumas or demons we don’t realize exist until we are old enough to understand them. Until we have done the work to process and heal. Sometimes creating helped me process these issues, but other times it exasperated them if I allowed myself to be under too much pressure. So I had to learn to find balance. I had to learn how to ground myself and neutralize the distorted thoughts or emotions that were getting in my way.

Sometimes we just have to pause, breathe, and change our environment to gain a fresh perspective.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Audio/Visual Artist specializing in High-End Graphic Design, Branding, Marketing, Video Editing, Music Composition, Songwriting, and Music Production.

I am one half of the Cinematic Alt-Pop duo ‘Midnite Gossip’, and also have an experimental music project called ‘Her Motives Are Silent’.

I also remix songs from time to time as ‘Mickey Valenz’.

Musically, I am known for my energetic drumming, hauntingly beautiful soundscapes, cinematic feel, vulnerable vocals, and nuanced production.

Visually, I am known for exploring sleek yet compelling imagery that evokes the emotions and vibe of the project associated with them. I try to create images that invite a lot of speculation while also trying to appeal to the viewers through aesthetic, tone, and composition.

I’m proud that I have managed to overcome many obstacles in order to release something new into the world. Whether people understand it or not. My hope is that my music can help inspire and heal those who need it.

I think what sets me apart is that I have often built so much out of very little. I haven’t always been able to afford the same opportunities or resources as others, but still manage to find a way to create the sounds or visuals that were in my mind’s eye.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I learned that authenticity is liberating. It is not sustainable to try and be what everyone else wants you to be. Or what you perceive they want you to be. Your true self deserves to exist, to be known, and to be loved. Authentic expression is so rewarding, as much as it is terrifying.

I learned we have to trust our instincts as artists. If something feels off or isn’t working, set it aside and focus on something else. Sometimes the lightning in the bottle idea is in our peripheral and we need to look past our tunnel vision.

I learned that when you get stuck or need support, you can and should reach out to other people. You can collaborate with others or simply get an external opinion.

I think we all collectively learned that life is short and unpredictable, We have to try to truly live while we can and not simply survive. To create the art we want to make and to work towards our dreams and passions. To not let fear or doubt paralyze us. All we have is time to kill and moments to live.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amvdesign.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/her_motives_are_silent
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickeyValenz
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mickeyvalenz/sets/remixes
• Other: https://linktr.ee/mickeyvalenz

Image Credits
Photos by:
Justin Friesen
Eden M. Rodriguez
Bennett Stevens

Also included are some self-portraits