Written for my best friend Brittany, this is a story of her moving to California and the two of us living our best life together.   Think of Andy from the office saying "I wish there was a way to know you're in 'the good old days', before you've actually left them." in song form.

Lyrics:
Livin’ was easy with you,
Back when times were easier too

I remember a time when we didn’t have to think.
People call it the good old days we were livin’.
We were so carefree, We liked to party,
Go till the sun came up. 
Hang around, have a heart to heart with a stranger. 

Granted we did not know,
That were living carefree bout tomorrow.
Remember,
Everything is alright.

Livin’ was easy with you.
Livin’ was easy with you.
Livin’ was easy with you,
Back when times were easier too.

Now that things are so different, I can’t stand it.
Float along, nothings happening worth me mentioning.
Always smiling, inside I’m dying ,
Put on a show they say.
I just want to go back to the way that things used to be. 

How can I pull through? 
Can’t imagine this life time without you.
One more time,
Tell me how life is good.

Livin’ was easy with you.
Livin’ was easy with you.
Livin’ was easy with you,
Back when times were easier too.

Livin Was So Easy (feat. LEXSEE)

When you're "lost at sea" and can't find your way back, it's okay to shout "MAYDAY". This song is a metaphor for asking for help, something that society generally looks down upon. You'll find this dancy track not only uplifting and fun, but unique in world percussion and saxophone samples.

Lyrics:
I am lost at sea,
My map is gone.
I thought I knew the way,
But land is far from me.

I feel a storm a comin'
Pointed right at me.
Set the sails to turn away,
But the wind pushed me back.

Into the storm I went,
No control of my ship.
I don’t know what to do
In this deep of blue without you.

Mayday, someone help me,
I have lost my way.
Mayday, please find me,
I don’t care what they say.
And I got this feelin' (4x)

Mayday

On the second anniversary of my mother's passing and not being unable to fall asleep, my friend Brittany and I got in the car at 6:30AM and drove to Mulholland Drive to watch the sunrise.  As the sun just peaked its nose over the hillside of LA, a tiny blue bird came up to me and wouldn't fly away.  In that moment I knew it was my mom just trying to say she's still with me.

Lyrics:
We are all afraid, nothing left to say, what’s it gonna be, 
all that’s left is you and me. 
Don’t go try and hide, from these feelings deep inside, 
it’s okay to feel this way, not be to ashamed. 

The worlds a scary place, it’s changing day by day, 
not knowing what’s to come, misinformation at your thumb. 
It’s gonna be okay, believe me when I say, 
we’ll get though this, and one day we can reminisce. 

Find your strength, do not replace, the love, 
Cuz all we gotta do is take the high road, so we can rise, above.

All I ask is: fly on blue bird spread your wings.  
Then go up high to see. 
And take one last look below. 
Down there is one place you’ll never go. 


When you’re feeling doubt, looking all about, wonderin’ if you’re sane, 
nothing left to gain, too much to contain.
The moment finally came, you’ll never be the same, 
it’s time to spread your wings and fly away. 

Lift your head, and shed away those fears.
Cuz one day you’ll be reunited, expedited cheers!

All I ask is: fly on blue bird spread your wings.  
Then go up high to see. 
And take one last look below. 
Down there is one place you’ll never go.

Bluebird

Dedicated to my sister Cassie, who completely embodies the meaning of this song.  When you find yourself falling on hard times, it's easy to listen to the destructive voices in your head. Once you decide to tell those voices to piss off, you begin making your comeback.

Lyrics:
Funny that you thought you won, over.
Surrender, contender, you put up a hell of a fight.
I’ve lost control of myself, fighting myself, and I thought I was done.
Would you believe the dream I had?
I gave up on it, just to satisfy, nana-nullify.

I want to fly, and lift high up to the sky
Don’t deny, what’s inside, and to know I’ll be alright.

Standing tall, the worst is in the back.
Stronger now, the best has yet to come.
Here I am, a great mighty hurricane blowing.
Proud to say, my comeback has arrived!


Ruthless demons in my head, be gone.
Divorcing, removing, I don’t need you in my life.
You run around and play games, with my psyche,
and that shit ends right now.
Cuz I got a plan to take it back, I mean all of it,
From my misery, to my ecstasy.

I want to fly, and lift high up to the sky
Don’t deny, what’s inside, and to know I’ll be alright.

Standing tall, the worst is in the back.
Stronger now, the best has yet to come.
Here I am, a great mighty hurricane blowing.
Proud to say, my comeback has arrived!

Comeback

Remembering back when my mother was going through radiation, I insisted she remain positive.  Hopelessly devoted to trying anything to get through it, she had a set of sticky notes with little affirmations written on them like "I am healthy", " I am a non-smoker" and the one that stood out to me most was "I am Strong".

Lyrics:
For every time I think of you I smile cuz I know you're there. 
For every time I am sad or lost, I remember that you’ll guide me. 
For every laugh I feel your warmth, I build upon a memory. 
For every time I long for you, I remember that you have never left. 

You taught me all my life,
The greatest lessons to know.
I never thought it’d touch me, 
I wish I knew them long ago. 

I am strong not weak I pray.
I’m the glue that holds the pieces in their place.
I Am Strong not weak today,
And you can’t tell by the way I act but I’m okay. 


For when I think, laugh, hurt or long, I know you are right here. 
For as long as my memory is filled with love, you live on in my heart.

You taught me all my life,
The greatest lessons to know.
I never thought it’d touch me, 
I wish I knew them long ago. 

I am strong not weak I pray.
I’m the glue that holds the pieces in their place.
I Am Strong not weak today,
And you can’t tell by the way I act but I’m okay.

I Am Strong

The only remains I have left of my mother's voice is a collection of voicemails she sent me over the years.  That, layered with a somber choir of voices, crying out for more.

Where Are You? (Interlude)

After mom passed and I was still in deep denial, the girl I had been seeing broke it off because "she didn't want to deal with it".  "It" meaning my grieving process.  Is this song just a petty way of saying 'Fuck You' to that girl for kicking me while I was down? - Yes, 100%

Lyrics:
I remember our first date together, 
I brought you a cute jar of your favorite flower.
You laughed when I told you that I had, 
Spilled out all the water on the floor of my car. 
We ate all those chocolate covered, 
strawberries to go with the wine. 
You asked me to paint you a song, 
I held you in my arms and sang to you.

Something came over me, 
I felt that invisible pull.
I’m standing right here baby, 
My heart is feeling overfull.

Are you my rebound girl? Ooooh
Are you my rebound girl? I wonder if it’s real.

I remember the last time I saw you, 
We had a kitschy date at the art exhibit.
I went in to give you some lovin, 
You pulled away and turned a stranger. 
Several day later you call me, 
You tell you that you don’t wanna hurt me. 
The other guy in that picture, 
You say he’s just a friend but you’re lying.

Something came over you, 
You felt that invisible pull. 
You’re cuddled up with me baby, 
You told me that you felt like a fool...

Are you my rebound girl? Ohhh
Are you my rebound girl? She wondered if this was real.

Rebound

It's just what we tell ourselves when we feel like we're going to lose it.

It's Gonna Be Okay (Instrumental)

I planned on entering the remix contest for this song as it said closes April 7th, and unfortunately when I went to submit it (April 7th) it said submission we're closed.  So I hope that at least someone will enjoy my remix.

Tiësto - The Business (V.A.L. Remix)

Lil Nas X 'Montero' is a masterpiece and I wanted to fux with it.

Lil Nas X - Montero (V.A.L. Remix)

Brandon Valerino, known as V.A.L., is a driven, passionate and charismatic performer from Syracuse, NY.  He began composing short melodies or beats in garage band on his old Macbook in college, and has since evolved into an EDM producer, singer and arranger.  

V.A.L. debut album "Women in my Life" comes out April 9th, 2021 to streaming platforms everywhere.  

Although Brandon primarily plays the saxophone, he is proficient at a wide number of instruments, including flute, clarinet, piano, bass and drums.  When not performing as V.A.L., Brandon sings back-up vocals and plays bass with LA Psychedelic Rock act, Westerner.