Artist Bio
Toronto's HUNTER VALENTINE has just released their debut CD 'The Impatient Romantic'. I caught up with the lovely Kiyomi McCloskey to find out more about HV. Kiyomi started singing after she took guitar lessons at school. She had a strict teacher which made her quit but music crept back into her soul and within a year she was being taught by a new teacher who this time encouraged her. 'He was more of an artist and really big on song-writing and that intrigued me a hell of allot more than learning C scales.' she says. 'He always played songs that he had just written at the end of our lessons and one day I went home and tried writing one myself. From there I was hooked and started playing acoustic solo shows all around Toronto.'
HV's debut album is a straight-ahead rock record and has some fantastic songs like 'Break This', 'My Private Battle' and 'Wait And See'. 'When you take away the grit there is an underlying melodic pretty side to it to the album' says Kiyomi.
The media reaction to HV has also been pretty positive. 'Our fans are really supportive and it's nice to have that. We try and stay in contact and really understand whom we are playing to. It's interesting to hear what each individual takes away from your music and definitely inspires me to keep writing. When I hear from someone that the record helped get them through a horrible relationship or rough time in their life it pushes me to keep doing it.'
Kiyomi is inspired by everything from the lyrics of John K. Samson to Kings Of Leon and Pema Chodron a teacher of mediation and spiritual awareness. Her musical journey came to life when growing up. 'I never thought I could do it. I was an insane music listener and I think I started singing by singing along to whatever I was obsessed with in my bedroom.' she laughs. 'Once I started writing songs someone needed to sing them and I wasn't good enough to play with people yet so I took the job.'
HV continue to tour around Canada and will be heading as far as New York for show. The bands are also shooting a video and are writing their next record. Check them out at www.myspace.com/huntervalentine
Nicky Baldrian
