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The North Shields discuss the inspiration behind their new EP
North Shields duo Valentine Charlie drop their latest EP Barking at the Moon EP, which compiles three songs that confront the turbulent times we’re living through — from war and environmental collapse to the stark sense of finality we seem to be hurtling toward.
Sonically, the EP moves from the moody, atmospheric Light Up In The Dark — all mellow vocals, tender guitar strums and punchy beats — to the more dramatic Headcase, with its soaring solos, epic rhythms and nonchalant, Bryan Ferry‑esque crooning, before arriving at the orchestral sweep of Event Horizon, where ambient guitars frame contemplative, intimate phrasing.
Here, the band discuss the inspirations behind the EP…
Light up the Dark is a homage to the photojournalists, and in particular to the courageous women who risk(ed) their lives to shine light on the dark places in this world. From Lee Miller, who showed the world the atrocities committed in the Dachau Concentration Camp, to Andrea Bruce, co-owner of NOOR photographic agency (Noor is an Arabic word meaning light). The chorus ‘Put your soul on your hand and walk’ comes from the documentary of the same name. It followed the Palestinian photojournalist, Fatma Hassouna, as she documented the lives of civilians in Palestine: ‘As she captured life, Through the dust and the dark, Where children played, Lullabies and peace my loves’. She was killed, along with 9 members of her family, in an Israeli air attack on her home the day after the documentary was nominated for the Cannes Film Festival. Their work, courage, and the dignity with which they treat their subjects, is a true inspiration to us all. Musically, there is an underlying current of unease, created by a lead guitar, which builds as the song progresses.
Headcase was partly inspired by Richard Cytowic and his ‘Big Think’ talk. He points out how our attention spans have been vastly degraded in recent years due so many demands being placed upon us from so many different directions, what he refers to as ‘the tyranny of attention’. The song is an appeal, particularly the younger generation, to ditch these poisonous toys. The music was designed to reflect the range of emotions expressed in the lyrics, sometimes calm and sometimes manic.
The EP concludes with the song Event Horizon, which was inspired by David Bowie’s Blackstar. It is about our rapid approach to a point from which there is no return.
