We recently connected with Rosalba Valdez and have shared our conversation below.
Rosalba, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Many times, I’m the only girl in the room. This is especially true in the music scene, when jamming with other musicians, trying out different producers, sound engineers, festival promoters, etc. Nowadays, I definitely consider myself to be the strong, outspoken, artist that I am. A few years ago, I would be telling a different story. There were many times when I walked into rooms and felt intimidated – not only because I was the only girl in the room, but because I was treated as such. It’s not been as easy to form close bonds with my male counterparts as it is with my femme counterparts. But even when I’m the only one that looks like me in the room, whether that’s because of my gender, skin color, etc., what I would say has helped me become an effective and successful leader and creative is my personal commitment to growth. My commitment to diversity. My commitment to uplifting stories such as my own. Doing things and being honest and vocal about my struggles has led me to find the right people to work with – both talented and genuine individuals who may have at some point dealt with something similar. For anybody struggling with being effective/successful when they are the only one in the room that looks like them, I suggest finding your community, people who will support you and that you can also support, no matter yours or their background. I also highly recommend a commitment to lifelong learning, self-discovery and exploration!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Rosalba Valdez. I am a Mexican-American singer/songwriter. I’ve been playing guitar and singing since I was five years old. Music was how I found my voice. I grew up in an activist environment, rallying for immigrant rights, playing at community events, fundraisers, and more. I’ve learned a lot about social justice and how issues where my family lives in Mexico are interrelated to issues all the way up here in my hometown of Chicago. I have a deep desire to create positive change in the world, and I’ve found that one impactful way to do so is through my music. My debut EP, released in November of 2019, is “Yo Soy Mexicana.” It was a place where I could express myself and talk about all things related to my identity, immigration issues, love, and more. Since releasing it and a couple of singles, with lyrics in both English and Spanish and a blend of Latin rhythms, I’ve performed all over my city at festivals, bars, music venues, and more. Most recently, I was granted the opportunity to perform with my 8-piece band for a SELENA Tribute Concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park in front of ~7,000 people! My goal now is to release a 10-song, self-titled album, while I continue to gig, be creative, and teach guitar classes around my city. I’m currently in the process of recording the first single off my album, which I plan on releasing on my birthday in April! It has a beautiful mariachi arrangement to it and is titled, “Mamá.” I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that I believe have been most impactful in my journey have been my authenticity/vulnerability in my music, learning about marketing, and general people/communication skills. Something I would tell folks who are early on in their journey is to not underestimate the power that comes with being vulnerable and courageous enough to speak from the heart – sing with the heart, dance with the heart, create with the heart. Also, there’s absolutely no meaningful project where you won’t need the help of others. Being part of a community and really nurturing those relationships is good for everyone in the long run. If you’re a creative or entrepreneur, I definitely recommend taking a marketing course or even watching videos on the topic on YouTube. We have a free and amazing tool nowadays called social media. Use it!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always looking for folks to collaborate with! I love working with other creatives – people who are down to earth and that can see the potential in things versus focusing on the obstacles. As a musician, I love working with other musicians who are not afraid to make suggestions, photographers with their own visions, cinematographers with cool music video concepts, performance managers who want to coordinate Beyonce-level showcases, and event curators with the full consumer sensory experience in mind. If anybody reading this wants to connect – hit me up via email or Instagram! [email protected] https://www.instagram.com/rosalbavaldez_
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rosalbavaldez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosalbavaldez_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosalbamusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/rosalbavaldez
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rosalbavaldez_
Image Credits
Kat Armour Chavez, Kristina Rodriguez, Photos by Gisselle, Martin Huizar, Jacob Pawletki
