Bio
A healing balm from the struggle...
KPV currently calls Asheville, NC home. His musical palette falls between the lines of indie folk, singer-songwriter and Americana. His lyrics are a healing balm from the struggle as they wash over you with a deep reverence. Valentino was a finalist at the 2022 LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, a collaboration between NewSong Music and LEAF Global Arts, and the 2022 NewSong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition.
The EP, "Happily Ever After" will be released on the NewSong Recordings label on Friday, September 22nd.
This is a five-song collection of love songs, written for Valentino's wife, Hollie. It's also a follow up to his last album, "For Ever Thing, There Is A Season", which ended with a break-up song.
Valentino says that many listeners don't know that the break-up on Season was real - and it was with Hollie.
Seasons was written and recorded after the couple parted ways, and for Valentino the project was a way to process the heartbreak. But that's not how real-life worked out.
Kristian and Hollie found their way back to each other and are now happily married.
LONG BIO
Kristian Phillip Valentino is a solo acoustic, singer-songwriter born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now residing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. His musical palette falls between the lines of indie folk, singer-songwriter and Americana. Fans of Gregory Alan Isakov, Iron and Wine and Jason Isbell, will feel comfortable here. His lyrics are a healing balm from the daily struggle as they wash over you with a deep reverence.
After the passing of his father, ending up homeless and being broken up with all within one month, Kristian began writing songs in the summer of 2010, as a way to start processing all he'd been through and begin the healing process.
From 2010 until 2016 Kristian went under the moniker Ramblin' Pan. This project was an Alt Country, Folk sound that was heavily influenced by Ryan Adams, Mumford and Sons, and Johnny Cash. He released 1 EP, "A Prodigals Tale" and 1 self titled LP under the moniker. He also went on several national tours in various coffee shops and venues across the USA.
In the summer of 2016, Kristian decided to take a break from music after years of constant touring and some deeply traumatic family experiences.
In 2019, Kristian had several life changes; including moving to Asheville,NC, getting married, and working through the healing process of the traumatic family events he experienced before his break in 2016.
In August of 2020 he finished recording an album that was started in 2016.
The new album was a concept record based on the 4 seasons Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. The plot is a love story that starts in Spring and weaves through the other seasons leading to a breakup in the Winter. There are 12 songs, 3 for each season.
Kristian wrote this album in 7 days, to process a relationship with his now wife, Hollie. Although it ends as a sad story, it's a story that will resonate with many others and hopefully can be a healing balm of hope.
There are a lot of exciting things happening each month this year, so you don’t want to miss anything!
Make sure to join the email list to follow along in the journey.