Interview — Sera & Claudia Valentina
»I wanna make music that people make babies to«
Sera from the Netherlands and Claudia Valentina from the United Kingdom put a more feminine face on international pop music. When they met recently in Berlin, we had the pleasure of having a personal interview with both of them, which turned into a conversation about their artistic visions, the sound-shaping people in their lives, and the great need for empowering women in the music industry.
19. Juni 2022 — Interview & text: Katharina Viktoria Weiß, Photography: Frederike van der Straeten
Music artists Sera and Claudia Valentina at the „Lounge im Turm“ venue
For a very special interview, we have arranged a meeting between two women with opposing styles but a shared love of pop music: Sera, who is already a star in the Netherlands, and Claudia Valentina, who has created a worldwide fan base with her sensual songs, are both ready to hit the ground running in the international music industry—which seems to be working: Claudia Valentina has just been featured by German rapper and singer Cro on his new track “High,” and with “She Kissed Me First,” Sera added another single to her million-click repertoire on Spotify a few weeks ago.
The setting for our conversation is the Lounge im Turm venue at Frankfurter Tor. We look out over Berlin in one of the 9-story towers built from 1950 to 1956 on the rubble of what was once the grand Frankfurter Allee. Their architectural expression testifies to a time of political confrontation and competition in divided Berlin.
But instead of being competitors, Sera and Claudia Valentina are united by the common experience of launching a career after a global pandemic. A conversation about the current pop business and the creative process that shapes the sound of these two energetic artists.
»I didn’t think that I really had what it took to become a singer.«
MYP Magazine:
Claudia Valentina and Sera, you both have great voices as the core of your talent box. How were they discovered?
Claudia Valentina:
Ever since I could talk, the only thing I liked to do was sing. I would lock myself in the basement every day after school and practice for hours. I was never very shy as a child and wanted to get up on stage and perform everywhere.
Sera:
My mom played a huge role in that. I really loved to sing from a very young age, and she always told me that she felt I had something in my voice. Something different, but I just sang for fun and didn’t think that I really had what it took to become a singer.
»Everyone’s life paths are so unique and shape us as people—and as artists.«
MYP Magazine:
You both started making music when the whole world was stuck in Corona lockdown. Through what challenges and opportunities was your path determined?
Sera:
It felt like a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, I had all the time in the world to really dive into the music and songwriting and challenge myself—because it was completely new to me because I had never written a song in my life. On the other hand, I felt like labels and such might not be interested anymore because of COVID, and who knows how long that will last.
Claudia Valentina:
Everyone’s life paths are so unique and shape us as people—and as artists. I’ve always loved the hustle since I was a kid, so for me, my whole life has been about never letting my confidence get touched and always focusing on my dream. I definitely learned that from Bob, my dad.
»I’ve spent a big part of my life hunting the right setup with my team.«
MYP Magazine:
Claudia Valentina, you have a very contemporary and extravagant style. How would you describe the vision you have for your aesthetic?
Claudia Valentina:
Thank you, I like that! I’ve always been into fashion. I like to make mood boards for literally everything—shoots, videos, music, et cetera. I feel like my style says a lot about my music, I like to feel unique and in line with my personality.
MYP Magazine:
How do you ensure that the team you build around you supports you in this vision?
Claudia Valentina:
I am very lucky to have the most incredible people around me. They are all so hungry for the same goal and work insanely hard. I’ve spent a big part of my life hunting the right setup with my team, and I’m very lucky to be able to call them my best friends as well.
»I’m social to a certain extent.«
MYP Magazine:
Sera, you’ve built up a big following in your home country because you make very down-to-earth videos on social media. In the comments, you can read that many of your fans find you really likeable and approachable. How has this community developed?
Sera:
That’s because I present myself very human, I guess?! Hair undone, hoodie, cap on my head. Not because I wanted to stand out or anything, I just wanted to present myself the way I am, so I never have to pretend. I’ve been like this my whole life. I walk around like this 95 percent of the time: ripped jeans, beanie, something hoodie-ish. The other 5 percent I have my hair done and stuff. So, I’m glad that my community accepts me the way I am.
MYP Magazine:
You’ve done projects with a POC gospel collective and many of your posts feature other musicians or friends. You seem to be an incredibly social person. Is that perception true?
Sera:
I love people—wait, let me say that again: I love nice people. If someone is kindhearted and shows it, I love to hang out and be social. If that’s not the case, I’m out. So, I guess I’m social to a certain extent.
MYP Magazine:
And what do you do when you have time to yourself? For example, what are you a total nerd for?
Sera:
I love going on small adventures. That could be a spontaneous trip or a nighttime car ride. Or it could be a hike in the Ardennes. I’m always up for anything. I geek about things frequently. I have what’s called hyperfocus, which I’ve self-diagnosed, and that means I can really fixate on things and know all the details until I do, and then I move on to the next thing. My most recent example was the Rubik’s Cube.
»Stress never made anything better.«
MYP Magazine:
Now it’s possible again to travel and play music live. Right now, we have the chance to meet at a showcase presented by Claudia Valentina in Berlin. And just a few weeks ago Sera played in front of 40,000 people on the Dutch holiday “Koningsdag” (transl. “Kings Day”). How do both of you deal with stage fright?
Claudia Valentina:
I’m still pretty new to performing. I started releasing music at the beginning of the lockdown, so shows were off the table for a long time. It’s a dream come true to be able to perform live now, and yep, I definitely get more nervous than I thought I would, but nerves are good! I love the feeling of adrenaline before I get on stage, it makes me perform better.
Sera:
I tell myself: You just do it! I still have stage fright. It’s getting better, but it’s still there. I think it’s just a matter of not thinking about it; just going with the flow, stress never made anything better; and learning from the mistakes I make while performing. Just keep going and try to get better every time.
»I was frozen, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.«
MYP Magazine:
Sera, you played at Cristiano Ronaldo’s birthday party. How did that happen? And how was it?
Sera:
That was insane! It was my first ever performance in front of an audience—which is crazy in itself, let alone in front of him and his family. But it was a great experience! They were all so nice to me. I got a direct message from his wife’s assistant telling me that they would like to invite me to his birthday in Turin on February 5 to play some of their favorite songs. They had seen my covers and liked them—so they invited me. I was frozen, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, but in less than two weeks we were in Turin and it was really happening.
»I finally got to perform live in front of people, which is scary but fun.«
MYP Magazine:
How did the artistic routines of the two of you evolve after Corona?
Claudia Valentina:
It’s so amazing that life is basically back to normal now and I can travel back to Los Angeles to make music. Some of my favorite producers and writers are based there, so getting back to having heavy studio time is exactly what I’ve been longing for.
Sera:
I finally got to perform live in front of people, which is scary but fun. I put a lot of work into my music, and to get back the energy of the audience is incredible. I never had that before.
»I usually get weird comments when I’m surrounded by guys.«
MYP Magazine:
You are both young female artists. Is your gender still relevant when it comes to starting off in the music industry? What experiences have you had with sexism, for example?
Sera:
I haven’t had any experience with sexism in the music industry. I know I’m pretty new, but so far everything is going super well. I feel like the creatives I work with are very chill and accepting. I have a girlfriend, and I usually get weird comments when I’m surrounded by guys—sexism is very real on that note.
Claudia Valentina:
I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by strong women, inside and outside the industry. The fact that they guide and empower me on my journey as an artist has really equipped me for anything.
»I love the unsalted opinions of my family.«
MYP Magazine:
What are the most important people in your lives—professionally and privately? And how do they shape your sound?
Sera:
My girlfriend and my family, especially my mom, my siblings, and their kids. And our dog! They are always bluntly honest. They keep me on the ground and always tell me if I’m doing too much vocally or if it sounds nice the way I’m doing it. I love their unsalted opinions.
Claudia Valentina:
I don’t know what I would do without my family and friends. I don’t know how I was lucky enough to have such a loving support system. My parents above all. I really don’t have the words to describe how selfless they are and how much they have pushed me to be the best I can be.
»I wanna make music that people make babies to.«
MYP Magazine:
Claudia Valentina, you were born and raised in Guernsey, an island in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy. How did growing up there influence your music?
Claudia Valentina:
I spent the first nine years of my life there, it’s a beautiful place. It’s in the middle of nowhere and has no music scene, so I had to look all over the world to find who I am. That has helped me in a lot of ways. I get inspired by so many genres of music from different places, and I like to think of my own style as a kind of melting pot of all my experiences with music outside of my hometown.
MYP Magazine:
Speaking of your musical style, you have some really sexy songs in your repertoire. Would you describe yourself as a sensual person? What kind of pleasure is it to sing such songs live?
Claudia Valentina (smiles):
Haha, yeah! I’m 21 and I’ve been working a lot, so I have the sexual frustration of a 16-year-old boy right now. I like to be as honest as possible when I write. I don’t like basic pop lyrics. If I’m being honest: I wanna make music that people make babies to.
»I’m going to get a tattoo of the title.«
MYP Magazine:
I would be delighted if each of you would tell me about one of your songs that you particularly love. What was the creative process that led to that song, and why is it so dear to you?
Claudia Valentina:
I just think of writing one of the songs on my new EP that’s coming out soon, “Sweat.” It’s the lead single on it, and the day of the recording in the studio was the first time I met Tom Mann and Lostboy, which led to them being among my closest friends today. I remember the energy in the room that day when we knew we’d made a great song, and I’ve been just as excited about it ever since.
Sera:
I would say my first single “Only us”—that’s where it all started. It was the first song I ever wrote and also how I met Bas aka Will Grands. He has produced or co-produced all my songs. Having him by my side feels like a luxury. He explained to me how to create melodies and so on. “Only us” takes me back in time—I’m going to get a tattoo of the title. That’s how much it means to me.
