VALLENS – “DEVOUR”
CONSENT (2016)
Hand Drawn Dracula
August 18, 2016
One of the first songs Vallens ever wrote, “Devour” is about how time can change any strong feeling, about being in a relationship while grieving and going through turmoil. Robyn wrote it during a very personal time of her life.
Robyn Phillips created Vallens in late 2014 to serve as her performance alter ego, secretly constructing her own world of music alone while playing guitar and gigging in various Toronto projects. The Vallens moniker allowed Robyn to introduce her own sound within the scene under the influence of namesake, David Lynch’s Dorothy Vallens.
Conjuring the likes of Rowland S. Howard, Wire, Angelo Badalamenti and Portishead; Vallens has been living deep in the construction of her first record, Consent (Due June 24th, 2016 on Hand Drawn Dracula). The album was recorded and produced by Josh Korody (Beliefs, Nailbiter) at Candle Recording in Toronto, as well as with Jeff Berner (Psychic TV) at Galumium Foil in Brooklyn, NY. The themes on Consent evoke the tension and stratosphere of Robyn’s early years and what it means to be female in our society.
In the past year Vallens has expanded to a full band (Colin Morgan – drums, Marta Cikojevic – synth & keyboards and Devon Henderson – bass) who have shaped and influenced Robyn’s further writing. The project debuted live in 2015 and quickly captured the attention of music critics, promoters, and the local music scene. Vallens has since been invited to perform at NXNE, POP Montreal, M for Montreal, and CMJ, as well they’ve shared the stage with Frankie Cosmos, Freak Heat Waves, Porches, MOURN, Ringo Deathstarr, U.S Girls, A Place to Bury Strangers, Speedy Ortiz, Dilly Dally and La Luz.
Buy Consent on limited blue vinyl + digital HERE.
Vallens Tour Dates
08.17 Ottawa ON // Arboretum Festival / Bar Robo w/ Beliefs
09.02 Toronto ON // Smilling Buddah w/ Else
09.09 Hamilton ON // Baltimore House w/ Fake Palms
09.22 Montreal QC // POP Montreal w/ Tasseomancy