As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, Val found pen and page to be an escape from the stressful demands of a figure skater training competitively with an eye on the Olympics. After practices on the ice beginning at dawn she would stop for coffee and linger in a booth writing endlessly often avoiding school.
Years later, after retiring from a professional performing career that included touring with ICE CAPADES, she picked up a guitar and began her songwriting journey.
With a diverse listening background ranging from Broadway musicals to folk, her interests began to gravitate toward Rickie Lee Jones, Tom Waits and Emmylou Harris. She discovered sounds and artists with a jagged edge and became drawn to songs about heartache and simple rural life. Country music ironically spoke to a kid navigating sidewalks and riding the New York City subways.
Eventually Val was recording her own emotionally driven tunes informed by her imagistic poets soul and love of collaging words into lyrics.
Today, Val plays with her band and fellow musicians and her music has been heard world wide. Her second studio album 'FANCY TOWN' was recorded in Nashville with well known players from the Jim Lauderdale band, and was released on CD in the fall of 2024.
Mini music festival on a 22 acre farm.... Bands include The yahoo Brothers, Fred Raimondo and the Dark Heart Tavern Band, Val Levine Band and Nashvilles own Caitlin Cannon
As an entertainer and lifetime lover of theatrical attire, Val's 'ORPHAN COUTURE' collection of curated vintage and up-cycled clothing and accessories can be found at her studio shop on Long Island. Check back here for info on sale events.
Contact
Val would love to hear from you or answer any questions!