Tendering My Resignation.

Well, it is bitter-sweet. After 4 years of living in Salem, I am off to begin a new chapter. The places I have worked have inspired me to pursue a desire I never realized I had for sound engineering.

Over the past four years, I have found and written about lots of little gems in Salem, I have seen the rise and fall of lots of promising businesses and discovered community, real genuine community. I have raised a family of three with my wife, whom I married here, and I have grown tremendously. I can say that my time here was one of major growth and I will carry what I have learned for the remainder of my life. The music and art community/talent here is small and poorly publicized but it is grand in heart. I've seen a band of kids move to Portland and shake up the Indie world. I have seen a small town writer land a tv and book deal. We have met wonderful people that will stay a part of our live forever and have given us great memories to depart with...

But, the time is fast approaching and we will soon hit the road, to maybe, get gone and stay gone. I can honestly say I don't know where we will be a year from now. But, I can say that I am extremely excited to find out.

See you in the sun!

Thank you, those who stayed connected and supported my writing efforts while I was discovering Salem and myself. Stay tuned for my next chapter, it has so much more excitement in store!

Sincerely,
   -Alva Valencia

I fell in a hole, but I'm climbing out

Wow. Can I just start off by saying, I feel so out of touch.

Never fear my friends, I always mantained an open ear, my search never came to a halt. I was just sidelined by some new exciting endeavors and by that inevitable coming of age. My life is in full swing with two boys a wife and a, real, full-time job. I am still writing but it has been for Oregon Music News and they have mostly been out of town shows. However, I have been staying connected with Salem and found a lot of great things are beginning to surface in Salem's music scene. Typhoon (now living in Portland), is the first and most obvious subject, with their immense success and recent appearance on Letterman.



Symmetry/Symmetry has become even more experimental as a three piece band. Bands like Monoplane and Massive Moth are invading Portland's elite music venues. The re-re-re-birth of the Roxxy Night Club has begun. Journey's, Dean Castranovo, has helped create a music program for kids at the local Boys and Girls Club. The Great Idea and Cherry City Music Festival were both great successes.



... I can go on and I intend to.

So, this is long over due, but, check out the official music video for Massive Moth's "Patrons of Wanderer's Way". Also, if you haven't already seen promotion for this, Massive Moth will be playing with the legendary one hit wonders from the 80's, Men Without Hats and Portland's The Slants at the Grand Theater, Sept. 10th




and this actually needs no promotion cause everyone goes to the State Fair, so.....

One of my favorite musical outlets to recently rise up is Doug's World with Elizabeth Schulte, Doug Hoffman has been consistently streaming media from CCTV with his show and keeping Salem current on all things awesome.

Lastly, well there is no lastly, Salem is maturing musically and I am excited to be here to see it happen. Local music lovers are starting to become the voice we so desperately were seeking here in Salem, including myself and my wife with our newest endeavor These New Legs come check it out, music is on the way.

So, that's all I have time for now. talk soon!

Cheers,

Alva Valencia