29 September 2021 - 0 Comments

“This EP is a response to a period in my life after going back home to Papua New Guinea in 2019 where hope filled dreams for future relationships with my family there were thwarted by the devastating socioeconomic and political condition of my homeland and the numerous conditions that trapped and immobilised me” – Vallé

Written and recorded over the past two years, Vallé confesses he didn’t have to whittle hundreds of songs down to the final six. He is very clear and concise in the messaging throughout this EP. And while he feels he is just scratching the surface of what he has to say, it is a collection of songs in which no rhyme is wasted. Even the cover art is poignant. Featuring Vallé standing in a field holding an open birdcage, with a Bird Of Paradise – the national bird of PNG flying free from the cage. Vallé says this is representative of the fact that birds are not meant to be kept in cages and neither are we. We should all be given the opportunity to break free from our metaphorical cages. For some these cages represent generational cycles, negative thoughts, systemic barriers, for others, these cages are self-inflicted. Sometimes the cages we find ourselves in is through our own actions, and it’s on us to realise that and make a change.

To coincide with the release, Vallé will be playing a very special hometown show at Christchurch’s Blue Smoke two weeks before release on Friday 12 November. An all Ōtautahi super-session featuring pop sensation ASHY and Lyttleton rhyme artist And$um, all backed by the extraordinary Harmony & Rhythm Brass Band, this show will be fans first chance to hear new music before it officially drops. No stone will be left unturned either with a show that promises to take fans on a journey, uniting and inspiring along the way. Fans are encouraged to get in quick, early bird tickets are on sale now for $20 +bf via undertheradar.co.nz.

With a Pacific Music Award nomination under his belt, the release of his debut EP and this very special hometown headline show, 2021 is shaping up to be Valle’s biggest year yet. Swing Low gathered swift momentum both on streaming services and at radio, being added to some of the biggest hip-hop playlists on Apple Music and Spotify including Rap Life, The Hybrid and The Drip. He is showing no signs of slowing down, in fact Vallé season has just begun.

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