A Conversation with Singer-Songwriter Kristian Phillip Valentino

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, Kristian ended 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 one EP, “A Prodigals Tale,” and one 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 is a concept record through the other seasons leading to a breakup in the Winter. There are twelve songs, three for each season. Kristian is currently releasing one song a month for the next year; he started in March 2021 — based on the four seasons spring, summer, fall and winter. The plot is a love story that starts in Spring and the other seasons lead to a breakup in the winter.

With his single, “Cold Hearted,” out now, we took some time to hear more from Kristian Phillip Valentino. Read below to learn more about Kristian Phillip Valentino, the story behind his single, and what’s to come.

Hi Kristian Phillip Valentino! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

My full name is Kristian Phillip Valentino Giglietti. I chose my first and two middle names for the project.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, but I currently reside in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

August of 2010, I started writing songs after a very traumatic month.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Not really, I have been through a lot of traumatic things in my life and that has shaped my sound and direction.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

Indie Folk with a touch of Americana.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I love the outdoors, especially camping and hiking. The ups and downs of life are what charge my creative juices.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

John Moreland, Townes van Zandt, and Neil Young.

What are some of your future music career goals?

I hope to get a publishing deal one day. Everyone who hears my music says that they could hear it in a movie or TV show.

Now onto your release, “Cold Hearted.” What inspired this song?

I’ve been releasing one song a month since March 2021 based on a concept record involving the four seasons. The album is based on a true love story from my past that moves with the four seasons. In spring, the relationship starts, in summer love grows, in fall it starts to break apart and in winter, the relationship ends. “Cold Hearted” is the second winter song, and it’s the official break up of the couple in the story.

What is “Cold Hearted” about in your own words?

Getting to the end of your rope with a relationship, and using the anger and frustration to give you the power and courage to leave when its clearly unhealthy.

What is your favorite lyric in “Cold Hearted” and why?

The first two lines: “The day I left it was blustery, below zero. We were all sorts of negative.” I felt like a real writer the day I wrote those lyrics.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from “Cold Hearted?”

I hope to inspire people in a good relationship and put courage in people that are in a bad relationship.

What’s one of your proudest moments of your music career so far?

I recently won a songwriting competition.

What would you say are the greatest lessons you’ve learned so far?

Not to take it personally if someone doesn’t like my music.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects that we should be on the lookout for?

Yes, I’ll be releasing the full album next month with one unreleased track.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Website: www.kpvsongs.com
Insta: @kpvsongs