Rising Stars: Meet Popoff of The Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Popoff

Hi POPOFF, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from Switzerland, I moved to LA right before covid, in 2019. I started out here as a producer for a lot of hiphop and rnb artists, and built up a great circle. Later on I decided to fully go for it as my own artist project started to evolve and saw the rock wave coming back at the horizon. So the timing was right. I used to play rock all my life, with my first band playing in Switzerland when I was only 11 years old. So this is the time, I make Rock Pop, Emo Metal, New era rock music. Think of a crossover between Linkin Park and The Weeknd, with a drum sound of Nirvana and Metallica. I produce write record and mix all my music myself, with the help of my amazing drummer Razmu5 (Sweden) and my guitarist Kazuki Tokaji (Japan).

My latest and most influental project is called #KILLALLTHEBIRDS, I released it Nov 22. It is really a statement and a timeless piece of art, which took slightly under 2 years to finish, I am extremely proud of it. 5 songs, each a f*ck*ng hit by itself, and I’ve gotten only great feddback so far. My goal for this year is to play as many shows as possible, having already booked a tour to open up for LAKDRIVE in March on their CA Tour dates.

I’d love to play the Vans Warped Tour.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to success is never a smooth ride. There has been times of absolute no money, of doubt, of fear. But I have always believed in my goals, so that wouldn’t stop me from going. Sounds very normal, but the key is to not give up when you stand in your own way.

In terms of financial stability I am a jongleur in a way. I have never had a dayjob in LA, so every month is a new surprise and I make it happen.

What I wish soon is that I can find a great manager that sees my visions as I paint it, and back me up full force. So far I have been doing everything myself, including marketing as I co own a Marketing Agency with my good friend Gio.

So very excited for my future to come.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my artistry I strive for perfection, to be 100% myself and really dgaf about influences or opinions. Most of the songs I make come to me in a dream, either before I wake up or right when I fall asleep. I record those ideas onto my iphone and then make them into real songs.

Professionally I work in Ableton to produce, and Studio One to record mix and master.

Lately the 80/20 method has spoken to me a lot.

My advice for any artist is to try out new things, whether that might be internal or external. You never know what might inspire you. In my case its the music I hear in my sleep, for someone else it might be a hike or a conversation or a book.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come and of how many great friends I made along the way. Life is short so enjoy the ride while you’re at it. We’re all gonna meet our maker much sooner than we think. Even with a long life of 80 years which I strive for, that time is only to enjoy life to the fullest. In my case its jyst that I’ve always known that music is my way to enjoy it. And my music is an influence to those that listen to it. I’ve had many fans tell me that my music helped them through tough times and thats really all I live for.

Lets not forget the younger generation, they are the future. So I’m super excited to inspire them to take their own path instead of the given one.

Music is the joy of closing your eyes and having these magical soundwaves hit your ears.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Start out whenever you can. If you wanna get into anything, do it now. Its never too late and never too early.

I learned a lot by myself, on instruments, on Youtube, in College. I have a Bachelors of Science from the Bern University of Arts in Sound Arts and Music and Media Arts.

You gotta be a problem solver, the information is always out there, especially in the era of AI. So ther eis no excuse these days of not solving an issue or answering a question.

DO IT

Pricing:

• Masters: $200
• Mixes: $500-$1000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.popoffworldwide.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/popoffworldwide
• Twitter: https://x.com/popoffworldwide
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/popoffworldwide
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@popoffworldwidee

Image Credits
doublewide00, hiofae, timofaykostenko, asapbrick