SOUND CHECK: Green Valley (SPAIN)
With a savory blend of old school roots sounds, dancehall beats, and classic
reggae, Green Valley began developing their unique sound and making a name for themselves on
the Spanish Reggae scene.
The Roots
Founded in 2004, Green Valley has been making music and performing all over Spain, and the world, for more than ten years. Frontman, Ander Valverde, has been making music and performing for years before coming up with the idea of forming a band. The band’s name, Green Valley, comes from the English translation of Valverde, Ander’s last name. The band is made up of band members: Egoitz Uriarte, Jonathan Sanchez, Pau Checa, Albert Carrera, Ander Larrea and Ander Valverde.
Green Valley released their first demo as a band, Inmigrantes (Immigrants), in 2007. With a savory blend of old school roots sounds, dancehall beats, and classic reggae, Green Valley began developing their unique sound and making a name for themselves on the Spanish Reggae scene. After big turnouts in concerts in Spain, the band released their first studio album, En Tus Manos (In Your Hands), in 2010. The blend of their sound and their lyrics served as a platform to spread social awareness. They released La Voz del Pueblo (The Voice of the People) in 2012. Continuing with their idea of creating change in the world, their second studio album zeroed in on society, government, and injustice. Their strong “voice” granted them much more exposure in the music industry. Mirame a los Ojos (Look Me in the Eyes), also released in 2012, allowed Green Valley to experiment more with new acoustic sounds to add to their collection. Hijos de la Tierra (Children of the Earth), was released in 2014. With much exposure, they were now invited to participate in several reggae festivals, not only in Spain but in other countries around the world. Their 2016 album release called Ahora (Now), released in 2016, talks about being positive through all situations in life. Through uplifting lyrics, Ander Valverde sings of what it’s like to live in changing times when people are finally opening their eyes. With this album, Green Valley shows us the meaning behind the album’s title – people are realizing the value of being positive and of living in the now.
The Musical Influence
Band frontman Ander Valverde has been greatly influenced by Jamaican music (reggae and dancehall). Chilean reggae band Gondwana, has impacted him as well. And evidence suggests that local music is a big part of Green Valley’s musical mix as you can hear hints of Latin influence in their sounds and beats.
The Sound
Their latest music video from their album, Ahora, dropped in early March 2017. The video for “Fuego Verde” (Green Fire) shows images of violence in crowded streets, protests with young people, and large masses of people coming together for change. With lyrics like this, it is apparent Green Valley is in fact creating change:
“Hemos venido a tu city para que no sientas el miedo
toda la crew contra este sistema que pone las reglas del juego,
venimos dando fuego con la música es la luz
empezamos en el norte y bajamos hasta el sur.”
(We have come to your city so you do not feel fear
The whole crew against this system that sets the rules of the game,
We give fire with our music as the light
We started up north and went down south.)
The Road
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