In 2014, at a Toronto studio, an accidental double-booking changed everything. Two bands had reserved the same space at the same time. Instead of canceling, they decided to jam together on the spot. That spontaneous moment gave birth to Valley, an indie pop band that would become one of the freshest voices in the scene. Rob Laska (vocals), Alex Dimauro (bass), Karah James (drums), Mickey Brandolino (guitar) — the four of them would redefine indie pop for a generation.
Symmetry Between V and Y: The Name Valley
When asked about the band's name in interviews, the members would laugh and explain: "V and Y are symmetrical, and we have two L's." That simple aesthetic choice has become a name etched into millions of hearts. Like the valley itself, their indie pop sound is gentle yet unmistakably clear. Their music lands precisely in the listener's heart.
Pandemic and a 30-Minute Challenge
In 2020, while the world came to a standstill, Valley participated in a game proposed by a friend. Pandemic isolation at a cottage. A friend set the timer: 30 minutes. "Can you write the most creative song possible in this time?" Everyone knows that constraints often unleash the greatest creativity.
Thirty minutes to work. They started improvising and everything clicked into place perfectly. The demo that emerged from that cottage session was 'Like 1999'.
Dancing on Chairs: 700K Views in Days
When they posted the finished song to TikTok, Valley made a bold promise: "If this video reaches 1 million views, we'll release it as an official single."
The prediction failed spectacularly — in the best way possible. A homemade video of them dancing on chairs, on tables, with friends and family. 700K views and 100K likes accumulated in just days.
Then, shockingly, it happened. The video surpassed 1 million views. Way surpassed it. Valley kept their promise. They released 'Like 1999' as an official single, and fans erupted in celebration.
"We made this song in 30 minutes. It felt like pure magic."
— Valley, band interview
Y2K Nostalgia Meets Modern Sensibility
The lyrics to 'Like 1999' are soaked in 90s pop culture. Friends, 10 Things I Hate About You, the mysterious essence of Y2K. Even the romance of a Pontiac. It's nostalgia that travels backward through time while simultaneously being translated perfectly for contemporary ears.
With over 200 million streams, 'Like 1999' introduced Valley to the world. They earned a Juno Award nomination. The 1 million views they'd promised became a distant memory.
