Cryptic and seemingly obscure, ‘Parapraxis’ is a record that deserves time and attention. You see, lots of releases these days favour a more vaporous, casual approach. That’s not the case here: Danny Valentine & the Meditations approach their artistic output head-on, layering a wealth of eclectic musical matter and witty lyricism in the service of a bigger purpose. A long-standing project, the band was originally formed in 2006. Since then, they have been a staple of South London’s nuanced and varied underground music scene.
What makes ‘Parapraxis’ a unique album is first and foremost its curious sonic livery. Blending classic rock and indie stylings with a brass section, the resulting material is rather monumental and anthemic, commanding the listener’s attention. DHR Gibbs and Lisa Moore’s vocals are the perfect fit for such a rich record, allowing the songs to take up an elegant, gentle character. It’s all part of the plan.
Intrigued by the project, we caught up with Danny Valentine & the Meditations to learn more about their artistry and future goals… interview below!
Hey folks, how is it going? First of all, I noticed you are a fan of RSM Rehearsal Studios in Putney, London, a gem of a place where I have shared some tender memories myself. Your music fits the vibe there, we must say. Widening the question – how much has the rich London music scene influenced you over the years?
The city and its inhabitants have long been an inspiration, often finding their way into songs, as has the vibrant melting pot of the underground music, club and party scene. Collaborating with other musicians has also been a source of energy. For this album, which was mostly written during the pandemic, lyrically the influences have been the introspection of that experience but musically the sounds of the city and the vibes that dance across it are deeply embedded.
Just in general, what does art making (and music) mean to you? do you rejoice in self-expression?
We don’t feel like we have much choice, our art is part of who we are and our need to create is one of the things that has kept us together and kept us going. There is a truth and freedom in self-expression that is hard to emulate in life beyond the studio or stage. In those environments we become more intense versions of ourselves, allowing our essences to distil and become stronger, which then is released through performance. It is a joy and yes, we do rejoice!
You have assembled a stunning, talented ensemble (under the moniker The Meditations) which joins you on your latest album, ‘Parapraxis’. It’s not easy to pinpoint to a single genre (except its post/art-rock ballpark), so I won’t even try; its eclecticism is one of its best qualities. How should the keen listener approach ‘Parapraxis’? Can you share a brief listening guide?
There are reference points to hook you in right across this record. We love guitars, we love synthesisers, we love dub, we love disco, we love free jazz, we love experimentation but we also love melodies and pop structures. The record itself is a story of emergence, which could be as straightforward as emerging from life in the daytime into the night, merging with the neon and the darkness, or emergence from the prison of isolation into the freedom of self-expression. Put on your headphones and dance and sing along, put it on when you’re driving or travelling, turn it up loud and open the windows…
From a creative standpoint, how did the production process behind the album unfold? Do you usually take a leading position or let everyone run free?
This record has been the most collaborative and band-focused of any we have done. It was mostly written together in rehearsal rooms and the bones of each track were recorded live as a band in a very isolated studio in Wales. Sonically that ties all the tracks together and from a creative perspective, this sharing was incredibly rewarding. We have always respected the freedom to create of any artist we work with, or any member of the group. This time it went much deeper.
…which brings me to a question I always ask: do you feel more confident writing music alone, or within a team?
As a songwriter, in many ways you have to own every aspect if you write alone and that’s a big responsibility. However, writing together and introducing different perspectives and diversity of thought can take a thing into a place that, as an individual, you may never have imagined. Fundamentally, though, it resonates with the original idea of making a band – a bunch of friends, making sounds in a room together because they love it and because they love each other.
‘De Bellum Galactico’ caught my attention, perhaps because I studied Latin in school 🙂 Like many other tracks in the album, it’s sizeably long. You don’t believe in the modern ‘snappy and short’ rule, do you? Also, what’s the one thing you despise in the contemporary music industry?
The industry is a business and over the years I think it has become more professional and as a consequence, often less accommodating of difference. We have worked in major label settings where the money is louder than the music. That’s fine, the industry exists and people live off it. For us, we live outside this, as much as we don’t have a choice in creation, we have a choice in how we connect.
I love the fact that now, as an independent artist you can create and market your own work in a much more straightforward way and you can do it the way you want, long, short, up or down. I don’t despise anything, there is too much hate in the world. I just don’t want to be built into a template or a paradigm. We’re into people and individuality, not product and repetition!
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
Life always intervenes. You have to be disciplined to be creative, to nurture your artistic sensibilities. It is like a beautiful, tropical plant. It needs the right earth, the right air, and the right amount of water. It needs tenderness and tending. It needs respect and it needs time. Being and time, are always the two biggest challenges…
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
We are setting up a small European tour with our friend Bleedingblackwood later in 2025, watch out for news of that soon and check out his music, for it is beautiful. We have started writing the follow-up and we will be releasing another improvised album towards the end of the year, so busy times ahead!
