Kathy Valentine discusses her new album Light Years.

Light Years, the new solo album from Kathy Valentine, may not be quite that galactic distance from the sound of the Go-Go's, but neither is it likely to be mistaken for the California quintet. Ms. Valentine has crafted an appealing mixture of relaxed tempo, bluesy rock and shimmering pop. Her formidable songwriting skills have been well-known for a long time, but her singing has been largely relegated to backup situations over the years. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that not only does she have an excellent singing voice, she also exhibits a winning confidence and hard-earned wisdom in a lead vocalist role. Some casual Go-Go's fans may be surprised to learn of her impressive work with a guitar, but those who have followed Kathy's efforts with The Bluebonnets and The Delphines will already be well aware of her six-string prowess displayed on this new release.

Kathy Valentine Interview

TCZ: Light Years took a fair amount of time to complete. Did you always feel like you had a solid vision of what you wanted the end product to be, or were there times when you were unsure of how to proceed?

Kathy: I didn't really have a solid vision, no. I just wanted a collection of songs that I could sing and that hung together in some cohesive fashion. I wasn't ever unsure how to proceed, but there were times when I doubted a song and considered leaving it off the record-- now I'm so glad I kept them all.

TCZ: The lead vocals on Light Years are remarkably self-assured for someone who hasn't sung that much lead in her career. How did you prepare yourself for the task of singing on this record?

Kathy: I just approached singing like I do my guitar playing: go for having a good tone, don't over-reach or try to show off, and let the song carry the instrument--in this case, the voice. Having said that, I am a much better singer now, after playing and rehearsing the songs with a live band--next time I will definitely do the songs live before recording them.

TCZ: You mentioned Gary Myrick's, " Guitar, Talk, Love and Drums," the only song you didn't compose on the album is a track chosen to allow you to jam on guitar in the same style as you did with your former band, " The Delphines." When you first began this project had you already decided to include this song on the album?

Kathy: No, I started looking for a cover song because I felt like the CD needed an uptempo rocker, and it was towards the end of the recording--I had 10 songs done, and I didn't want to sit down and write with an agenda like, "oh I need this kind of song, therefore I must write it." I don't like to write like that, I like to just go where the inspiration leads.

TCZ: Fans of "The Delphines" will not be surprised by your skillful guitar work on Light Years, but some people who only knew of you previously from your identity as a Go-Go may be taken aback. Can you give us a synopsis of your progression as a guitar player over the years?

Kathy: Well, let's see. I picked up my first guitar when I was about 14, and strummed a few folky songs after I learned some chords. I got my mom's boyfriend to teach me my first rock songs, Jumpin Jack Flash and Johnnie B. Goode. He had an electric guitar, and I had to have one. I saved my money and cried tears of joy when I got my first. I started a band right away, and started writing songs then too, really stupid ones, the worst was called "Black Widow Spider" about a girl who ate her boyfriends after sex. All I wanted was to be a great guitar player. In '76, I was in the UK and saw Suzie Quatro on TV, and she blew me away-- I didn't know a girl could be a rock star.

Austin, Texas was a great scene when I was growing up, there were tons of great guitarists around. I worshipped Jimmie Vaughan of the "Fabulous Thunderbirds", wanted to be him. I had more bands, and ended up getting into punk and new wave in 77/78, which led me to move to LA. When the Go-Go's approached me to play bass, I quickly picked it up and was happy to become part of a cool band. After we broke up, I floundered a bit, and finally, in 1992, decided to try and get back to working on being the guitar player I had originally started out wanting to be. Still have a long way to go.

TCZ: We know that Light Years was recorded with an all-star set of guest musicians. Are there any plans to put together a touring band to play the new material beyond the confines of the west coast? Are you considering doing additional recording as a solo artist?

Kathy: I recently did 2 shows with Clem Burke, Abby Travis, Muddy from my record, and Vicki Peterson of the Bangles--we were called Kathy Valentine and the Impossible. It was nearly impossible to organize, hence the name. I am trying now to create another Impossible, and have found some really cool musicians to play shows with. I will definitely make another record.

NOTE: Kathy has recently formed a new Impossible band for more info and future show dates visit Kathy Valentine's Official Website

TCZ: You became a mother during the production of Light Years, did the arrival of your daughter influence a change of direction in the album in any way?

Kathy: No direction change, but life was very hard and overwhelming for a few months. I couldn't wait to get back to my recording. I didn't feel like I was rockin' at all. Now I am integrated: mom, wife, musician--and fully "realized," I couldn't ask for more out of life.

TCZ: You've had a remarkable career, from your delightful early work with "The Textones" all the way through to this very different but equally delightful new solo effort. You've proven yourself as a musician many times over in so many different categories - bass player, guitar player, songwriter and vocalist. Do you feel that you have new vistas yet to explore in music? At this point, what are your greatest aspirations for the future?

Kathy: I hope that "Light Years" helps me to get more known as a musician and artist. I'm really proud of my place in history as part of the Go-Go's, and of my contributions to the Go-Go's, and though we still get lots of cool opportunities to do stuff, the breakthrough and peak was a long time ago! I am going to put a lot of focus and energy into making my next record, and hope to make a classic. I'd like to produce a few artists or bands. oh, and I'd really like to play drums.

TCZ: As a member of The Go-Go's you achieved the commercial success and recognition that had eluded all female bands in the past that played their own instruments. How did that experience help you when embarking on your solo career?

Kathy: All my experience helps, not just the success and recognition. Some of my favorite memories are from times that were anything but successful. The best thing that comes from experience is confidence. It's nice to trust in my talent. I can step outside myself, look very objectively at a song or a performance, spot weakness and limitation, and use the knowledge to improve.

TCZ: It is well known women in music face many obstacles and barriers your male counterparts have not. But is there a notable difference of resistance you faced as a female solo artist compared to being a member of an all female hit band? Even one such as the groundbreaking Go-Go's?

Kathy: Oddly enough, the most resistance I get is because I am a Go-Go. People think they know what I am all about, based on that. In some ways it opens doors, and makes people want to listen. In other instances, it works against me. Whatever! Eventually I will get more recognition on my terms... I am a typical ambitious Capricorn who slowly and surely keeps climbing up.

TCZ: Regardless of the level of commercial success a band achieves, there are trials and tribulations involved with playing music as a vocation. What are your feelings toward rock & roll at this point in your life, and how have they changed over time?

Kathy: I'm lucky to have been a working musician for so long-decades now! Extremely lucky. Rock n' Roll in general is only mildly interesting to me, but I love playing guitar, performing on stage, being in the studio and writing songs. None of that has changed, except now I am a mom first and the reason I am a good mom is that I still get to be creative and go out and play music. In the past, I was more into the "scene" or whatever, going out every night and stuff like that.

TCZ: We love The Delphines and feel that Cosmic Speed in particular is an extraordinary album. We have to ask - is there a chance of you and Dominique Davalos working together again in the foreseeable future?

Kathy: Poor "Cosmic Speed," it really is a good record, and will never get it's due! Yes there is a chance in the future we would work together, she was a good partner, and we had a great chemistry together.

TCZ: Over your long and distinguished career you were able to work with some of the biggest and most respected names in the music industry. Is there any one artist you could point to that influenced you the most during your career?

Kathy: I met BB King only once, and he was the most gracious and kind person I have ever encountered in music. He made everyone around him feel good and it made a lasting impression on me.

TCZ: If you could give any advice to an aspiring female musician at this point in your career, what would it be?

Kathy: Get in a band and be the best musician and bandmate you can be. You will learn everything you need to about relationships and dealing with people, and that will serve you your whole life, no matter what you end up doing or being. Be honest and make yourself the hardest critic to please, then forget trying to please anyone else except yourself. Most importantly, have fun. If it's not fun it's not worth it.

TCZ: If there was one thing you would want fans to know about you today, what would it be?

Kathy: That I appreciate them. I was nervous about fronting a band for the first time, and when me and the Impossible band went onstage at Amoeba records and the Troubadour last month, I was energized seeing that my fans were there, and that they were happy to see me.

Interview by GWGS & M. Ramsey © The Cover Zone October 2005