Today, we sat down with Joe Valadez who is the drummer of Souls Extolled to talk music inspiration, music growing up and more. Be sure to check out their music below after the interview!

Interview:

What is your inspiration to write your music? Is it your surroundings?

It’s a release. A way to get words out that you wouldn’t know how to say otherwise. I believe surroundings have something to do with it but it’s about writing songs that people can relate to and usually people will relate if you are just honest about the experience.

What type of music did you listen to growing up?

I listened to all kinds of music. My grandparents listened to Mexican Music and old country, my dad showed me hip-hop, my mother was into pop and groove bands, my step-dad listened to a lot of 90’s country and classic rock, and my aunts and uncles filled in the rest. So music has always been a big part of my life and I can honestly say all of it but then I was able to define my own music tastes and choose what I wanted on my ipod. I also grew up in the height of pop-punk, so you could have found me at Warped Tour as well. Concerts and live music were a huge part of growing up as well, which is probably why I do it today.

Is there someone you looked up as a hero?

When I think of heroes, my mind goes immediately to my mother and my grandfather. My musical heroes will always be Led Zeppelin

If you weren’t a musician, would you be doing today?

Something I wouldn’t actually want to do. Most likely my ADHD would have driven me to try and fit in a box at some tech company and I just wouldn’t have found my passions or learned that my ADHD is a super power that can be utilized .

What advice do you have for our fans out there that want to create music?

Create without compromise. Your lyrics, your plans for your music, how you get to the next level of writing, no compromises.

Music: