Mexico City-born, London-based artist Valeria Miró is a queer singer, songwriter and fully self-produced creative. She blends jazz, soul, funk and pop with a subtle Latin twist that feels both nostalgic and completely fresh.
Her new single ‘Sentada’ (out everywhere now) is a soft-power anthem for anyone who’s ever had to let go of a version of themselves. Written at the end of last year, the track became a safe space for grief, growth and the quiet realisation that not every dream is meant to follow you into the next chapter.
Produced between her home studio and co-writer Jury’s, with Spanish guitar recorded remotely in Madrid, ‘Sentada’ proves you don’t need a huge studio to make something expansive. Just vision, honesty, and a little London-meets-Mexico magic.
We caught up with Valeria to talk about self-producing, starting her artist project in her parents’ closet, navigating the industry as a queer artist, finding her sound between two cities, and why it’s okay to outgrow your own plans. Read on for our full interview.
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You’re fully self-produced – which is still frustratingly rare for women and queer artists. What does creative independence mean to you?
Being able to produce my own stuff allows me the freedom to choose who I work with. My process has always been very collaborative, and something I love about having the skills to produce my own music is that I don’t feel like I necessarily need anyone to make my vision happen, but I get to invite people into the project while still keeping creative control.
You blend jazz, soul, funk, pop, and Latin influences so seamlessly. Who were the artists or sounds that shaped your musical DNA growing up in Mexico City?
I have gone through so many different phases. When I first started my project I was very much into the alternative folk scene (Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers, etc.) and in the last couple of years I’ve taken so much inspiration from the London neo-soul scene (Lianne La Havas, Cleo Sol). I also really admire Mexican singer-songwriters such as Silvana Estrada, Laura Itandehui and Natalia Lafourcade.
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You collaborated with friends in both Mexico City and London for your new track “another day”. How important is community in your creative process?
So important. Making music can be quite a long process from first inception of the song to the mastered track, and something that helps me stay grounded and not lose perspective is bringing different people into different stages of the process, to always keep the energy moving and the ball rolling.
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‘Another Day’ is the first of a series of releases. What kind of sonic world are you building next, and what should listeners expect from this new chapter?
I want to build a sonic landscape that echoes the London panorama. Full of contrasts and details from every corner of the world that tells a story that’s coherent but full of layers and influences.
You’ve mentioned being a queer artist in a space that’s still very male-dominated. How does your identity shape the way you create, collaborate, or tell stories through your music?
My identity shapes what I create because I write music that tells my story. We can only walk through the world in our own skin, so every experience we have and every story we tell is inevitably shaped through that lens.
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Outside of the studio, what does a perfect day in London look like for you?
A summer day at a festival, hearing great music with friends, enjoying the sun.
What does queer community look like for you outside of music? Where do you feel most yourself?
I feel the most like myself surrounded by my friends, I’m so lucky to share my life with amazing artists who I love and admire and make London feel like a true home.
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What’s next for you?
More music! I’m working on writing an album that plays with different sounds and ideas as much as I possibly can.
Thanks for chatting to us Valeria,
Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
