Valentine Black’s Desire Lines has been described as, ‘a love letter to the power of the humble hook…as catchy as anything you’ll hear all year’ (Hot Press) and 'amazing with superb vocals and lyrics' (2uibestow). He wants his body of work to mix the heart of Springsteen, the head of Dylan, the guts of The Clash and the imagination of Bowie...throw in plenty of melody, and a nod and a wink to more contemporary artists like Arcade Fire, The National, and Elbow and you’ve got his musical ambition!

Over the years he has shared the stage with a number of major artists, supporting acts like The Waterboys, Mundy, Bell X-1, Damien Dempsey, Duke Special, The Blizzards, The Coronas, Luka Bloom, Gerry Fish, Aslan and Something Happens to name a few. He has appeared at a number of festivals including The Spirit of Folk on the Whelan’s Live Stage last year.

He has already created quite a bit of interest having released two singles to date, ‘Retrospect’ and ‘Take me to your leader’ and has just released his debut album ‘Desire Lines to some glowing reviews (see press). He was recently awarded a semi-finalist position in The UK Songwriting Contest, with a score of 7 out of 10 from the judges, who included award winning producers and songwriters like Stuart Epps (Led Zeppelin, George Harrison, Paul Weller, Oasis); Kipper Eldridge (Sting, Stevie Wonder, Gary Numan); and Richard Niles (Paul Mc Cartney, James Brown).

He played The JD Set in 2009, was selected in May 2010 for youngrebel.co.uk's international playlist and played Phantom FM’s ‘Next Becks Thing’ in August 2010. He also performed a number of well received showcases at Indie Week Canada in October 2010. In February 2011 he was selected by KC on Today FM as a ‘Youtube Superstar’. And in March of 2011 he was a guest on Today with Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1, playing two songs live. He has also just recently returned from a string of gigs in Orlando, Florida.

His music has received airplay on a number of national, Dublin, regional and internet radio stations including Today FM, Radio 1, Phantom, KCLR, Limerick 95Live and KFM.

PRESS:
“Bowie and Dylan are evoked in a ten-track effort that swoons and sways with the best of them…Desire Lines is like a love letter to the power of the humble hook…as catchy as anything you’ll hear all year.”
Hot Press March 2012

“It's great. I love the rusty unique vocals and sweet lyrics…"
Bloggertronix.com June 2012

"I was impressed by this track. It just seems so down to earth...This Irish artist has himself a bright future I think and can't wait to hear more!"
Let’s take it One by One @ justsitandlisten.blogspot.co.uk May 2012

“Black’s sound is a sort of folksy indie-rock: influences like Dylan and Springsteen are there, but with a more modern, poppier twist. Here, he has delivered an accomplished piece of work, with a lot of love and dedication obviously put into it...”
www.goldenplec.com Feb 2012

“With a more than a dash of Springsteen in these songs about love, loss, and post-Tiger Ireland, Valentine Black is probably a lasher in a live setting…capable of moments of genuine brilliance.”
www.culch.ie Feb 2012

“Desire Lines is like a homage to the 70’s folk-rock of Dylan, Bowie and Elton…an honest album…filled with catchy songs, good vocals and fine lyrics. 9 out of 12”
www.2uibestow.blogspot.com Feb 2012

"Each song is seeping with talent and emotion, perfectly intertwined. On each listen you will find a new cleverly placed lilt, a new hidden meaning and beautiful poetic construction you have not realised before. The album is a wonderful example of the kind of talent that is missing from Irish music."
clairekanedub.wordpress.com April 2012

Take me to your leader - ‘…a cracking good tune…amazing with superb vocals and lyrics’
www.2uibestow.blogspot.com March 2011

Jackie Hayden; Hot Press journalist, music industry expert and the man who discovered U2 once described Peco as ‘incomparable…a wizard and a true star’.

‘Classic yet fresh musical style…displays strong talent and potential…
The Great American Song Contest 2010

Although Valentine’s songs of love and dissidence may be simple- they’re passionate. There’s a very honest quality about his playing that makes you want to listen to what he has to say.
From ‘Our pick of the of Thursday night action at Indie Week 2010 in Toronto Canada’.
Natascha Malta - Musicvice.com

‘His "Retrospect" single explodes into a Damien Rice-esque opus that also resembles Elbow.’ chartattack.com (Canada) Sept 2010

“…Bob Dylan with a new set of lungs…”
wheresthecraic.com