Exclusive Interview with Judson Valdez of ‘Chambers’!

AS: Ashley Shepard (SwitchBitch Noise) / JV: Judson Valdez (vocals/guitar of Chambers)

AS: When did you start getting interested in/involved with music?

JV: I’ve been playing a few instruments since I was a kid, I’ve always been musically inclined. But it wasn’t really until college that I started to get this silly idea that playing music might be a good career choice. I still know it’s silly now but I still do it anyway.

AS: If you weren’t playing music, what do you think you would be doing?

JV: I don’t think about that, but that’s not a good answer. Writing pop songs for Katy Perry? (Whom I totally love, honestly)

AS: Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the album?

JV: One of my favorite things about making Inner Room was seeing some of these songs that I have had around for years, as back burner solo songs, become something incredible. I remember one night after rehearsal, we were all sitting around talking and I start hearing everyone in the band talk about how they aren’t important to the band, which made me directly yell at them and say something like “I’ve been playing these songs for years and nobody cared!” That’s a long winded way of saying, making this album taught us to respect each other and ourselves as creators.

AS: Where would you like to see yourselves and/or the band in 5 years?

JV: Still playing music, that’s the goal. To have met Jimmy Kimmel (through playing on his show of course), I think he’s hilarious in a way that reminds me of hanging out with my dad, which is a good thing. To have played SNL once before and gearing up for the second time. To have toured Europe already and being spoiled about it and wanting to go somewhere better. To take Coldplay on tour with us. To get a green room at every show we play stocked with something other than a bag of chips, just a veggie tray will do just fine.

AS: Can you explain the connection between “Inner Room” and Carson McCuller’s novel?

JV: I wrote a long answer trying to explain this, but then decided to just send you a more direct source. (below) The heart is a Lonely Hunter, Part 3, chapter 3.

Check out Ashley’s Pre-Release Album Review HERE which also contains a stream of their single “Inner Room” as well as band info and links.