Valerian Sun release “Nina”

Valerian Sun release “Nina”

What do you get when a Guitar Player Magazine Guitar Superstar Award Winner, a Contestant on NBC’s The Voice, and a founding member of From Ashes to New join forces? Valerian Sun.

The warm reception for VALERIAN SUN’s first single “The Burnout” and for their inspired cover of David Bowie’s “Fame,” leads the band to the release of their first ballad entitled “Nina.“

Vocalist, James Wolpert explains “The song is about how all instances of loss and grief in our lives, past and future, are connected to and represent all of the others — that makes “Nina” entirely interchangeable and at the same time totally familiar.”

Drummer, Jon-Mikel Valudes adds “As it unfolded, this song revealed that grieving is so necessary, followed by allowing yourself to truly acknowledge the power of love.”

Drummer and mastermind behind the group’s formation, Valudes was the original drummer in the band FROM ASHES TO NEW. He amicably parted ways with the group prior to their first album. Named GUITAR HERO 2006 by Guitar Player magazine, Trey Alexander joined longtime friend Valudes to form what would become VALERIAN SUN. When The Voice (Season 5) star, Wolpert expressed interest in joining the duo, they were thrilled to find that time had made him as good a songwriter as his stint on The Voice revealed him to be a singer. Thus, VALERIAN SUN was born.

VALERIAN SUN’s name is a reference to valerian root (valeriana officinalis) an herb used to treat anxiety, stress and depression. Valudes explains the name choice “When we assembled this thing, mental health was a common topic between us. Personally, advocating for mental health is something close to my heart. In 2013, my older brother took his life two weeks prior of my 21st Birthday. It’s a conversation that needs to be not only heard, but truly listened to. You never know what’s behind the casual smile and if we can use our passion for music to offer something positive that people can genuinely relate to; that’s what it’s all about. With enough light, together we can enjov life that much more.”

When the trio went into the studio, they wrote and recorded everything from scratch during their intense four-day studio sessions with Grammy-nominated record producers Grant McFarland (August Burns Red, From Ashes To New) and Carson Slovak (Candlebox, Everclear).

More new music is forthcoming from the trio.