Meet London-born UK Open Mic performer Sonny Glaser-Valley:

Hi Sonny Glaser-Valley, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

18

Where were you born?

London

Where did you grow up?

Queens Park

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

Less the place more the people around me in that place that influenced my music.

Where are you based now, and why?

Still London but soon to be Norway

What got you into making music in the first place?

My dad playing music around the house but most importantly him playing and making his own songs which made me do so as well.

What instrument/s do you play?

Guitar
Piano
Piano
Singing
Bass

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

My dad – because he’s my dad and the source of most of my musical interests and influences
The Beatles – because they’re the bloody Beatles
Simon & Garfunkel – The song-writing, melodies, their voices and so much more
Nick Drake – there is no one like him. He is just purely unique which is what makes him a special musician
Bob Dylan – the embodiment of folk music and coolness
David Bowie – the epitome of a rockstar.
Pink Floyd – the deep richness of their sound that makes listening to them never tiring. (No matter how long the song is)
Leonard Cohen – his poetic lyrics goes so harmoniously well with the music itself which are equally as entrancing.
Elliot Smith – similar to Nick Drake, Elliot Smith for me also comes from a place of raw and deeply emotional music.
Bob Marley – pure, jubilant music that spreads a positive message to the people.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

5

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

I can’t describe it. It comes from a place of not being conscious, for me at least.

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

2

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

It’s all I want to do.

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Just do it.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

Thinking that my music isn’t good enough and people are judging me

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

I recently played in a small corner of a HMV store in Westfield Shepards Bush where I was playing a couple of my songs with a band. I don’t have a reason why I enjoyed it but I just thought it went solidly.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

Not being able to find open mics, gigs etc

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

I don’t know. Could ask me and see

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

I’m in the process of making an album titled “Samsø” which I am hoping to release this year.

Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://www.instagram.com/sonnyglaservalley?igsh=b2Fqd3oyNnJ0ZWln&utm_source=qr

What other sites/profiles should people go to to find out more about you?

www.instagram.com/sonnyglaservalley?igsh=b2Fqd3oyNnJ0ZWln&utm_source=qr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.instagram.com/sonnyglaservalley?igsh=b2Fqd3oyNnJ0ZWln&utm_source=qr

youtube.com/@sonnyglava?si=S2RkG10fxIYmmR3H" target="_blank" rel="noopener">youtube.com/@sonnyglava?si=S2RkG10fxIYmmR3H

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!