Valerie Orth

“There is an honesty to Valerie Orth’s music that is both brilliant and heartbreaking,” writes the San Francisco Chronicle. Last year, Orth’s band reached new rock territory with the release of their highly anticipated EP, LIFE ON THE MOON, produced by multi-platinum, Grammy-winning Jason Carmer (Molotov, Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol). With a multi-octave voice that soars from the depths of bitterness to the height of sweetness, Orth tells stories of empowerment and yearning, while pulling in audiences with her raw magnetism on stage.

Described as “sexy, soulful, genuine, and edgy” by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Orth's dynamic range as a performer is made all the more compelling by what the East Bay Express calls a "completely intuitive composition style."

Orth started off 2013 with a boom, opening for legendary songwriter SHAWN COLVIN in California. Rock Subculture reviewed these shows, saying "Valerie is definitely one of the most impressive supporting acts I’ve seen in some time, and is one of those artists who have the ability to going from being an unknown to you and turning you into a fan."

Soon after, Orth and long-time bassist VERONIKA SAFAROVA put themselves on the NYC map, relocating from San Francisco to Brooklyn. Brooklynite DANIEL GOULD (drums/vocals) recently joined, helping the band reinvent their sound, and create a distinctive hybrid of rock, punk-folk, ska and even trip-hop.

Previously, Orth collaborated with Jon Evans (of Tori Amos) for her full-length album, FARAWAY CITY (2011), which WERU’s Rich Hillsinger named Best Album of the Year. Orth’s thought-provoking lyrics, gorgeous melodies, and unpredictable-yet-unforgettable arrangements prompted comparisons to artists like Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, Foo Fighters, and Radiohead.

To Orth, music is a healing power unlike any other, especially when performing at juvenile halls, homeless shelters, and drug rehabilitation centers. After an emotional performance at San Francisco’s Youth Guidance Center, a teenage girl relayed her admiration, saying, “I will remember this for the rest of my life.”