Sofía Valdés, a young and talented musician, shares her family's intertwined stories of success and tragedy while pursuing her own musical dreams. Her great-grandfather, Miguelito Valdés, and great-grandmother, Silvia de Grasse, both faced significant events during their onstage performances. Valdés, now 24, is determined to make her mark in the music industry while learning from their experiences.

Uniting Family Legacy and Musical Talent

Family Ties and Musical Influences

For decades, professional musicianship was discouraged in Sofía Valdés' family. Her father's parents forbade him from pursuing music after witnessing the sacrifices of her great-grandparents. However, Valdés' mother encouraged her to learn guitar and write songs in her teens. This decision set her on a path to break the generational pattern.Valdés took the first step towards her dreams at 15 when she left Panama to attend Michigan's Interlochen Arts Academy. There, she learned English and honed her craft. Later, she moved to London and performed in the city's bar scene. In 2019, while a student at the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, she began sharing her unique blend of alternative pop and Panamanian folk-inspired melodies.

Debut EP and Continued Success

In 2020, Valdés signed to Warner Records and released her debut EP, Ventura. This dreamy project introduced her soulful voice and commitment to her roots, folding in Caribbean percussion. Since then, she has continued to develop a fanbase online with a slate of bilingual singles and EPs. Last year, she dropped the EP Silvia, named after her great-grandmother, which served as a teaser for her debut album.The full-length album, titled Sofía Valdés, showcases her vocals, lyricism, and production skills. It features a diverse mix of genres, from jazz to bossa nova to R&B and alternative pop, with an eclectic mix of collaborators. Tracks like "How's That Working Out for You?" offer a bold pop side, while "Lento" is a soft ballad driven by her heavenly harmonies.

Dealing with Life as a Panamanian Immigrant

Valdés' life as a Panamanian immigrant living abroad heavily influenced her album. On "Easy," she writes about the challenging time in 2022 when she needed to find housing in Los Angeles. Despite being a musician with the support of a major record label, she struggled to apply for apartments and spent four months staying with different friends.Now, she shares a place with roommates in Lincoln Park and finds joy in having her own bedside table. The pressure to succeed in the music industry was compounded by her desire to make her family proud. She is grateful for their support and realizes the importance of finding balance in her life.

Finding Destiny and Setting Boundaries

Valdés feels that being a singer is her destiny. Even when faced with challenges, she is determined to pursue her passion. She has worked on setting boundaries in the industry and is no longer a people pleaser. Instead, she focuses on her music while also fulfilling her desire to travel, spend time with loved ones, and stay in the moment.As she looks at the beautiful view of L.A.'s Mount Washington, she is grateful for where she is right now. Her family's legacy and her own musical journey continue to shape her future.