Boosted Stories: Vallé

In 2020, with friend and film-maker Jadon Avosa Calvert, Enjalas ran a successful Boosted campaign to help fund the music video for his song “Trip Advisor”, which was set in Papua New Guinea and explored the diverse cultures in different villages of the country.

“Trip Advisor” was nominated for Best Music Video at the New Zealand Pacific Music Awards. With the help of 30 supporters, Vallé made an amazing piece of art that aims to strengthen, encourage and challenge people's perception of life in Papua New Guinea.
In celebration of his recent nomination, as well as his incredible work as a musician, we thought we’d feature a recent interview with Enjalas. Below, he speaks about his music, what shaped him as a creative, where he sees the Pacific Arts in Aotearoa and how he feels about what lies ahead.

Hey Enjalas, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. What part of your life most influences your music?

I think how my music is influenced by my culture is perhaps deeper than I am fully able to be aware of. It’s a part of me that I’m constantly researching through my music, I guess.
On the surface, when I’m in the process of writing, I often feel a strong pull to discuss issues from back home. I want to tell the stories of my family’s struggles – otherwise these would remain untold. Many stories remain that way. I love to insert my language into my music where appropriate – and by that I mean literally: only when it feels right. 

What does your name Vallé mean?

Vallé is a combination of the two most influential music figures in my life: Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison, and former US basketball star Allen Iverson.

You have a fascinating story, that you seem to tell and process through your music. What would you say are the biggest driving forces behind your work?

Wow, that’s a tough one. I would probably say purpose - I feel with great conviction that this creative and personal journey is fundamentally part of my purpose. So, purpose would be my driving force. 

How and why did you become a musician?

I moved to New Zealand with my father for life-saving medical treatment when I was just eight months old. From there, music kind of helped shape my identity from an early age. Music started off as my only friend, an outlet, a form of expression. It helped me find my rhythm after a tumultuous start at life.

I recorded my first song at the age of 13, and now I write, work and perform under my stage name of Vallé.

Last year, you travelled to Papua New Guinea to film the music video for “Trip Advisor”. Tell us more about that trip. How connected do you feel to your home country, today?

When I was young, growing up in New Zealand, I was ashamed of my Papua New Guinean heritage. We were the minority. There was always a sense of something missing, and a deep curiosity about the 'other side' of who I was.

I went home for the first time in August 2019 and I cannot adequately explain what coming home did to and for me, which is why I ran my Boosted campaign and travelled back to film “Trip Advisor”.

I wanted people to hear and experience my home for themselves. Papua New Guinea is FULL of the most beautiful fruit, wildlife and nature… not to mention people! But then, it’s also clouded by corruption and a lack of media, education and transparency, which is a truth that I aimed to process, visualise and tell through the film and the music video. 

Your Boosted campaign last year, which partially funded the creation of “Tripadvisor”, was a big success. The film is now nominated for Best Pacific Music Video at the Pacific Music Awards. A huge congratulations again for this achievement, by the way! 
How did you find the experience of crowdfunding?

Boosted was great.

Do you have any tips for other musicians who are looking to crowdfund?

One thing I would say is: the better you can communicate the vision of the project and allow insight into how your partners/donors are playing their role, the better your outcome will be. Also, it’s really important to not just let the page sit there once it's up. Send your Boosted link directly to people that you think will find value in what you are trying to do. You gotta work hard to spread the word!

Where, in your opinion, are artists and creatives from the Pacific situated in the wider Aotearoa arts community at the moment?

Great question. To be honest, I don’t think I'm fully qualified or aware enough to be answering this question in the context of the arts in general. I can add this: from a musician’s standpoint, I feel like we’re beginning to 'run the game'. Pasifika creatives are doing so well and we all should be proud!

Musically, Papua New Guineans can draw inspiration from all other Pacific nations, because everyone’s carving new pathways and pushing the boundaries. Hopefully, we can do the same in our own way. 

How can or should the Pacific arts be elevated into focus? 
Pacific arts can be elevated and are being elevated more into focus by our own communities supporting what each artist is doing. This is assuming that each artist is adding value to the community through their practice.

Thanks so much for your time, Enjalas. We can’t wait to see what you come up with next.