There is a house that opens only to a chosen few. It is more than a refuge for the brave; entry requires walking in bare. Do not fear the chill: even in darkness, light threads through the curtains. White walls meet turquoise clay, and the sea carries the scent of bananas and lava. The moment someone steps inside, empathy awakens. No matter how small a person feels, a breeze slips through, easing every nerve.
Entering means stepping into a box of memories, photographs, seeds, and warm embraces. The space mirrors its creator: Valeria Castro from La Palma (born 1999) built a shelter for those who need to touch the land. Their harmony forms the skeleton of this Canarian-inspired home, raw and sweet in equal measure, always ready to heal. “I don’t want to write anything but hot songs. I make music to accompany people,” she explains. A truth that becomes evident the moment the door opens.
Valeria modestly displays her notes on a reddish rug, with the focal word inside the image simply read as “Dentro.”
In the midst of pop and folklore, the artist has forged a singular cosmos—a place where applause and silence carry genuine emotion. She began by revisiting songs from La Oreja de Van Gogh, Vetusta Morla, and Jarabe de Palo, which dismantled social networks and drew attention to a crystalline voice and ethereal presence. This spark inspired new releases that challenged her own modesty, turning what once felt fragile into a personal philosophy.
“Guerrera y Culpa” marked the first major step with “Chiquita” (2021), a delicate collection of six stories that endeared the artist to audiences and critics alike. The venues where she once performed acoustically began filling quickly, and Valeria’s success spread from heart to heart. The anticipation for her debut album continued to grow, and “with love and care” (2023) was announced to resonate again on March 24.
“Collect the love I share while doing things. This is the only way I know not to harm myself or those around me,” she asserts in a setting where the LP was born. In the studio at Mapa Música, Valeria illuminated the eleven tracks that comprise the record, bright and warm. She often composes on a cellphone, though her ideas also find a home in a notebook on a reddish carpet, preserving the spontaneity of the moment.
This meticulous approach has become one of her defining traits. She speaks in concise, humble terms about her beginnings: “There were no musicians in my family, so the passion came from discipline. When I was four, my parents enrolled me in piano, guitar, and singing classes. Since then, I’ve believed in a lifelong commitment to music.” That responsibility provided confidence to those around her who tracked every step with anticipation.
What role did La Palma play in your imagination?
La Palma sits at the album’s epicenter. Family, a cozy home, daily routines—all of it anchors her memory. The artist emphasizes living from one’s roots, not chasing others’ paths. Raised by the sea, she didn’t venture to the Peninsula until the age of fourteen. That temperament revealed limitations that she learned to value over time. In hindsight, what she had proved more than enough.
[Video on YouTube: aAGMaTKonc4 — attributed content]
Why start with covers?
The process began with introspection. She had been composing since she was fifteen, though early efforts felt imperfect. Her focus shifted toward touching others, even when the verses weren’t hers. That phase shaped her self-expression and, as she matured, allowed her to own her subject matter. By eighteen, she took pride in her work, recognizing that the songs could carry her.
Despite being twenty-four, her voice carries the depth of an experienced artist. Some spend lifetimes seeking such resonance.
Her voice emerged through the influence of others. Following artists like Silvana Estrada, Natalia Lafourcade, and Jorge Drexler helped her reconnect with her roots and weave Canarian folklore into her frame. The presence of these influences was a relief that allowed her to explore and reveal her authentic self.
The impulse of Alejandro Sanz
Valeria’s early experiments included nods to Pereza, Rosario Flores, and Andrés Calamaro, with a pivotal moment when Alejandro Sanz publicly encouraged her. A simple tweet—recognition from a hero—brought a rush of emotion and quiet courage. The encounter led to a collaborative Instagram talk, and together they performed a version of “Since When.” The clip quickly went viral, underscoring the potential path ahead.
This connection supplied the encouragement needed to refine her first songs. A few months later, “Chiquita” arrived. She recalls feeling a calm certainty, even as time taught her that certainty can coexist with growth. The fear that sometimes paralyzed her gradually faded, replaced by a steadier belief in her creative voice.
For her, composing is a form of relaxation that resonates on both intimate and communal levels. She remains attentive to the world around her, always listening for new inspiration. The song “Oh my love” exemplifies this, weaving migration and humanity into lines that feel both universal and intimate. Migration is not just a theme; it’s a lived experience that informs the music’s pulse.
She explains that the goal is to offer a fresh framework for reflection, aware of the privileges that shape her voice while inviting broader discussion. Creation becomes a dialogue between melody and meaning, guided by a spontaneous impulse—an instinctual heartbeat that drives the work forward.
“Guerrera” has become a feminist anthem. Who is it for?
It is dedicated to her mother and grandmother. The women who illuminate life while teaching resilience. This ballad, born from a sense of duty, has traveled widely, inviting listeners to examine their responsibilities and the eyes that watch them.
There is still more to do.
Indeed. In a world with more speakers, there is also more responsibility to clear paths for others. Valeria is proud to be part of that legacy, acknowledging the generations of women who paved the way and committing to continue that work for those who follow.
Why has “Culpa” resonated beyond millions on streaming?
It speaks to forgiveness as a path forward. A rare romantic song that finds balance rather than extremes, offering a middle ground that many listeners recognize and hold onto.
Volcanic eruption
When Valeria left La Palma for Madrid, she began a biotechnology program as a parallel pursuit. Although the degree remained unfinished, music increasingly filled the day. The eruption of Cumbre Vieja in 2021 brought a heavy weight, but also a sense of purpose that shaped the new LP. The disaster displaced thousands and reshaped lives; yet within the upheaval, the project found a new voice. The song cycle in the album reflects resilience and hope, and the title track hints at an ongoing journey toward healing.
On September 19, 2021, La Palma faced a devastating natural event. Lava engulfed buildings, forced relocations, and left a deep scar on the island. In the wake of this trauma, Valeria found a voice that could articulate pain and perseverance, a testament to the island’s enduring spirit. The theme of “A nest” became a meditation on the island’s beauty in the face of ruin, and the music captures the careful balance between sorrow and renewal.
There are thousands of brave people with their own wounds, and a renewed desire for a future where the sky is bright. The poem associated with the home was meant to reflect that hope, focusing on resilience rather than defeat. The work emphasizes that life’s seams deserve tenderness, and its imagery suggests a return to warmth, colors, and sound. This project stands as a testament to the belief that art can soothe, even on the edge of loss.
In the end, Valeria’s artistry embodies a clear demand for precision. Her work remains a rare blend of honesty and craft, inviting listeners to feel deeply. It’s a music that lingers, like a house that cannot be forgotten—the scent of warmth, the tremor of the sea, and a steadfast pulse that keeps time with life itself.