Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Valentine.
Hi Melanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Melanie Valentine.
I was born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. I grew up in poverty. We had sleep instead of food for dinner quite often, and both of my parents were addicts. Without getting too much into all of that, let’s just say that my home life was extremely violent and abusive and not somewhere that anyone in their right mind would want a child to be, much less their own.
School was my solace, and I eventually graduated Cum Laude from Memorial High School in Port Arthur with an Associate of the Arts Degree in Business through Stilwell.
I couldn’t wait to get the hell away from Southeast Texas, so I did. Not even a year after graduation, I quit my job waiting tables in Port Arthur and moved to Baytown. Shortly thereafter, I moved to Houston and truly started my life.
I started my life, but not on my terms. I got common-law and then legally married to my first husband at a very young age. He was abusive, to say the least. My life was not my own, and he wouldn’t let me make music. He wouldn’t let me make art. By the time that was over, getting cheated on and divorced was the best thing that happened to me in years. It was nice to not be getting beaten anymore, but it was even nicer to know that I could move on, heal, and, most importantly, create.
Many unhealthy and even abusive relationships and living situations came and went. A lot of traumatic situations happened to me outside of those, such as sexual assault and domestic violence. After subsequent therapy, I’ve got three songs published and on all platforms. I’ve organized and played countless shows. I even manage my husband and their friend’s band, as well as myself. I work and own a metaphysical business.
I battle epilepsy, C-PTSD, and other chronic health conditions on a daily basis, but I try my hardest to just keep creating. I’ve opened my heart here and told my story so that anyone who can relate can see, it isn’t ever too late for you. You deserve to live your dreams just like anyone else.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, this road has not been smooth. This road has been about as smooth as Harwin Drive is.
Some of the struggles along the way have been the obvious ones—my health, both physical and mental. Struggling to quiet those feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. Those feelings anxiety and depression, and even agoraphobia, that come along with C-PTSD.
The less-obvious struggles relate to time vs art. Working so much that creating had to take a back seat. Working so little at times due to my physical health that I couldn’t invest in my music.
One struggle many of is in music don’t talk about as much as we should is the social aspect of music. The struggles there have been the blatant racism towards NBPOC musicians such as myself in the music scene in Houston and particularly in North Texas, as well as other struggles. It’s definitely difficult to perform etc., when the thought of a fellow musician that’s sexually assaulted you and stalked you showing up to one of your shows creeps in. At the end of the day, it’s on me to quiet all of these bad feelings and etc. The show must go on!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a professional musician, band manager, event planner/host/booker, social media manager, small business owner, visual artist, and model. I am also a domestic violence/human trafficking/sexual assault awareness advocate.
I specialize in creating and performing art that’s heavy with emotion. I also specialize in multi-genre music event planning.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My best advice I can give you for finding a mentor is to seek a mentor who is at a point in life that you would like to be at. I wouldn’t seek a mentor out solely upon recommendation, nor friendship. Seek a mentor who can actually, well, mentor you.
My best advice for networking is similar to the above. Always network at and slightly above the level where you’re at. Network in circles where success is determined by skill and effort, not solely by nepotism and kissing up.
Pricing:
- Ghostwriting: starting at $35/song.
- Booking: starting at $50/show.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ap8rXlLcXMZWX8mndRz8L?si=wC0hUuiZTVS4kj-vsR_dhA
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wr1stsl1tvalent1ne?igsh=aWdhdXg3b2tncDN3&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCmZOunaL5hPH08lSfP0Bq4w?si=UxXQBtd1XZvRG5bn
Image Credits
Jacob Morrisey
Luke Hancock Photography
Salem Valentine
