Strings Attached: Finding a Path Toward Connection

Testing, 1, 2, 3…

Is this thing on?

Let’s hope so.

I’m grateful to be back with the Troub and to kick off this new column. But let me start by addressing the obvious: I can’t assume you know who I am or why I’ve been given the privilege of a monthly platform. Why do people keep handing me the microphone, so to speak? First off, I hope you think I’m funny—because I think I’m funny. My goal is to make you giggle while reflecting. What else can you ask of a writer?

For those loyal Troub readers, here’s a little background to provide some context for this journey. I grew up in Los Angeles and have performed across the United States, spending 12 vibrant years in San Diego before moving to the serene landscapes of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sounds like a Disney movie promo, huh? I can’t help it—I kinda like life. And I’m purposefully keeping the vibes here grateful, inquisitive, and reflective. New Mexico’s tagline is “Land of Enchantment,” and, honestly, it felt like a Disney movie when I arrived (old-school Disney, pre-Deadpool).

Ranch wheels on a gravel road.

A Slice of Camelot
My time here has been transformative. Living on a 10-acre ranch we call Melody Ranch, surrounded by wild piñón and juniper trees, has brought a slower, more deliberate rhythm to my life. Fun fact: the ranch already had that name when we bought it. How perfect is that? It’s like a Camelot-meant-to-be manifestation gone wild. I keep waiting to wake up.

Out here, I literally talk to ravens, field mice, and dancing beetles. It’s a quieter environment. A gift I didn’t realize I needed. And in a serendipitous twist, the man who sold us the ranch is a semi-retired Los Angeles session trombonist. He introduced me to his bandmates in the Boomroots Collective, a Southwest institution blending reggae, rock, and hip-hop. He’s become a great friend and a sounding board for my creative exploits.

Balancing Solitude and City Life
Santa Fe offers a stark contrast to the bustling city life I experience when I travel back to Southern California for work. The moment I hit those six-lane freeways, I’m instantly thrust into this functional, survival-of-the-fittest machine. It’s this balance—the solitude of the ranch and the energy of the music world—that fuels much of my work, including my latest project, an album titled Prophecies and Promises.

This album is my first solo creation designed for vinyl. Isn’t it cool how we’re falling back in love with vinyl? It changes the mindset. Instead of focusing on a “single-serving” song, I’m thinking about collections with two sides—a longer, slower experience for the listener.

Connecting with So Cal artists Angie Swan and Roni Lee in Las Vegas.

The Joy of Remote Connections
This album has been an art project, recorded almost entirely online. Remote recording has been a cornerstone of my career for nearly 15 years. Over the past two years, I’ve gone fully remote as a teacher and recording artist, producing several albums for others entirely online.

One of the joys of this process has been reconnecting with former San Diego artists like Megan Carchman in Nashville and Alicia Champion in Oakland. Alicia has even started mixing for clients through BugByte Studios, my remote teaching and production company.

Touring artists like Angie Swan and Roni Lee often grab lunch with me as we pass through various towns. Even though we’ve all called San Diego or Los Angeles home, the world has become our meeting ground.

Teaching remotely has also allowed me to stay connected to the vibrant Southern California music scene. I’m grateful to collaborate with artists like Kinny Dye, who recently returned to San Diego, and Steph Johnson, who’s currently “farting around” Santa Fe with me and her husband, Rob Thorsen. By farting around, I mean reconnecting with our childlike spirits and flowing creatively.

I carry both of my hometowns—San Diego and Los Angeles—everywhere I go. These cultural threads weave together, tighter and deeper, and now I’m the one bringing the chill vibes.

San Diego artist Rhythm Turner visiting Santa Fe with his family.

The Power of Connection
What excites me most about this column is the opportunity to foster a sense of community, even in this individualized, digital age. Liz Abbott, publisher of the San Diego Troubadour, has kept the publication alive by taking it fully online—a move that mirrors how we all adapt to stay connected in a world that often feels disconnected.

Looking ahead, I’ll be sharing insights on:

• The role of technology in bridging creative communities.
• The importance of creating art for art’s sake, free from the chaos of the industry.
• Balancing a quieter life with the fast-paced demands of the music world.
• Lessons from recording and producing remotely.

I love amplifying voices, and I’d love to hear from you! What challenges are you facing as an artist in the grind? How can I be of service? That’s always my first question. Let’s make this column a dialogue—not just about my growth, inspiration, and connection, but about yours. Shoot me an email at FrancescaValle@yahoo.com

Connect. That’s today’s lesson.