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Sherise Valley’s “Over The Border” Named December “Best
Song Of The Month”
By Dale Kawashima
Sherise Valley, a promising, pop/rock, singer/songwriter
based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, has won the SongwriterUniverse “Best Song Of
The Month” Contest for December, for her song “Over The Border.” This song is
one of 12 cuts that will be featured on her debut CD, which will be released in
early Spring, 2005.
Sherise Valley
“Over The Border” is a fresh-sounding, modern pop/AAA song,
which has a very hooky chorus. The song’s lyric chronicles the break-up of a
relationship, and how she has moved on from it, with a positive attitude. The
recording of “Over The Border” features Valley’s distinctive, appealing lead
and harmony vocals. Valley wrote this song by herself, and she also played most
of the guitar tracks on this cut, including lead, electric guitar.
Valley was born and raised in a suburb of Toronto, where her
family still lives. She grew up loving music, but she didn’t seriously pursue
writing and performing until much later on. Valley earned her undergrad
degree at the University of Toronto, then she moved to Victoria, BC where she
received her Master’s degree (in environmental law & policy) from the
University of Victoria.
It was after completing her education, that Valley focused
more on her songwriting and playing. “Two years ago, two things happened which
gave me confidence in my music and writing,” explained Valley. “I received a
grant from FACTOR (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent on Records). I also was
accepted by the British Columbia Festival of the Arts for their songwriting
workshop.”
Sherise Valley performing live.
One of the first songs she wrote for her upcoming album was
“Over The Border.” “I wrote ‘Over The Border’ after my boyfriend dumped me,”
said Valley. “I decided to take that experience (of the break-up), and channel
it into a positive song, about freedom and power as an individual. The title is
a metaphor for getting past something, and moving forward.” Notably, “Over The
Border” has been selected for the It Came Out Of Fernwood CD, which is a
compilation of cuts by promising artists from the Victoria/BC region.
Valley is in the process of completing her album, which is being co-produced by Juno-nominated producer/musician Mark Makoway (who is guitarist for the rock band,
Moist). “I’ve recorded tracks at several studios, but the constant thread of
the album, is that every cut is being mixed and co-produced by Mark (at this Rumblecone Studio
in Toronto). “I’m really happy with how the songs are turning out, and I’m
looking forward to either releasing the album independently, or possibly
signing with a [major] label. My plan is to play more live shows, and to get my
CD to as many people as possible.”
Here are the Top Five Songs which were submitted for this month's contest, with the songwriter credits, plus their e-mail and website links. To hear the songs, please click on "Listen To Song".
"Best Song Of The Month" Winner
"Over The Border". Written & performed by Sherise Valley of Vancouver, BC, Canada.