-
music
Q&A | Carly Russ Emerges as Cici Valentine

Written by

No items found.
If you haven’t heard of Cici Valentine, it’s time to start paying attention. Formally known as [Carly Russ](https://www.instagram.com/cicibme/), the musician, model, and founder of vintage label [Vintage Valentine](https://www.shopvintagevalentine.com/womens) gives us her special release single “Reason,” a dreamy, atmospheric, intimate track for the hopelessly-romantic’s favorite holiday. Following the release of their second single, “Against Me,” Valentine connects with musician and producer Yoshi Flower to create a song that illuminates the power of love. Previously the other half of folk-duo Girlyboi, Cici Valentine partners with musician Dylan Peterson and is a force driven by her new found freedom, bound to merge her worlds of fashion and music. We spoke with Cici about her latest endeavor, an upcoming EP, and devotion for platforms heels. Flaunt-V-Day Reason PR Shot1.jpg ![Flaunt-V-Day Reason PR Shot1.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472b56af41781109da9aa1e_Flaunt-V-Day%2BReason%2BPR%2BShot1.jpeg) **What pushed you to leave Girlyboi and pursue Valentine?**  At a certain point, you just realize that something has run its course. You can’t force something to happen after it’s expiration date and you’re really just doing yourself a disservice by forcing it too. So in terms of my own personal growth, I just had to decide it was time.  **Was the transition from working with your former partner to taking things into your own hands difficult?**  I took a lot of time off. It was very important to me to have time to sit still and make sure i didn’t bring anything into the new project that i didn’t want in there. A clean slate, you know. It was initially scary for me but once everything was rolling, I knew it was exactly what I needed to do.  **What have you learned from going off on your own with this new project?**  Well the current project is much more collaborative, so I’ve learned a lot. I’m more hands on with this and my opinion is more valued in the studio. So I feel more confident to speak up about my ideas and creativity. I’ve really learned that I have so much more to offer than I thought in the past.  Flaunt-V-Day Reason PR Shot3.jpg ![Flaunt-V-Day Reason PR Shot3.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472b56af41781109da9aa1a_Flaunt-V-Day%2BReason%2BPR%2BShot3.jpeg) **What can you tell us about your latest single,  “Reason” ?**  Well as it’s Valentine’s Day, this is our first release about the more pleasant aspects of love. It's about someone who can lift you up when you can’t do it yourself and giving you the confidence to stand on your own. Someone who can give you a reason to get up in the morning. Our good friend Yoshi Flower produced the track too so the end has a nice dance-y twist to accompany the change in tone from our other songs.  **You’re also the founder of vintage label, Vintage Valentine. How did that come to be?**  I’ve been thrifting since high school (as a broke teen). Finally, I had just enough people asking me about my clothes that I decided I’d start selling some of the stuff I pick up, both online and at our shows (a playful departure from your standard band merch). All in all it’s something that is so easy and fun for me. **What do you look for when curating your collection?**  I look for pieces I love, wear it, and then offer it on the site. It's essentially an extension of my wardrobe. I’m obsessed with 80’s and 90’s kitsch, sequins and feathers, anything glitz & glam. Platform heels and marabou. Flaunt-V-Day Reason PR Shot5.jpg ![Flaunt-V-Day Reason PR Shot5.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472b56af41781109da9aa22_Flaunt-V-Day%2BReason%2BPR%2BShot5.jpeg) **Where do you get your style inspiration from?**  I have this photo book on my coffee table all about Vegas back in the 70’s/80’s/90’s and it completely emulates Vintage Valentine. I take a lot of my inspiration from old photo books that I find in thrift stores. old movies like Paris, Texas. The type of women who wore sequins and stripper heels with a sparkly eye during the day gives me so much joy I could cry.  **What’s in store for 2019?**  We have practically moved into Oil Can Harry’s on disco night, so just living out the rest of our lives there. Also dropping our debut EP in the Fall. * * * Photos by Dylan Peterson