Los Angeles based indie pop star Rikki Valentina is back with her latest single “Paranoid”, and if the past year has shown us anything about Rikki, it’s her ability to deliver authentic storytelling while keeping her sound unique and true to herself. Her debut EP, ‘Daddy’s Girl’, released back in June, gave fans a glimpse into her vulnerability and showcased her mesmerizing voice, and this new track does both, while playing like another entry in her own personal diary.

“Paranoid” sees Rikki Valentina exploring her own anxieties, something which many who hear the track will no doubt relate to. She’s an artist able to create that sense of familiarity we have all felt at one point in our lives where we think the whole word may be against us. PopWrapped caught up with Rikki to find out more about how she copes with the anxiety and insecurity her new single addresses and how she’s stayed inspired over the past 18 months during the pandemic.

When did you realize that music was the career you wanted to pursue? Was there a specific moment in your life when you went: “I want to be an artist, share my music and share my songs with the world”?

I attended my godmother’s wedding when I was six years old – I was the flower girl, of course. For her special day, my godmother had a girl a few years older than me singing Celine Dion songs. I was speechless. That experience was so inspiring, and it motivated me to explore new things with my voice.

What’s it like growing up in Los Angeles and how does that influence your music?

Growing up in Los Angeles has its perks when it comes to the music industry. It’s easier to connect and learn from others when you are surrounded by so many talented people. I have a love-hate relationship with LA so my experiences definitely inspire my song writing.

“Paranoid” is one of your most personal records to date; what inspired you to open up and be so vulnerable?

Music is my outlet to express personal feelings and find peace with them, so this single doesn’t feel as vulnerable compared to some of my other songs. In this day and age, I think we are all equally unhinged and experience anxiety on a daily basis. The vulnerable aspect of it would have to be how I express constantly feeling out of place and having a hard time socializing when it comes to new faces. I just don’t want anyone else to feel as lonely as I did.

You talk about feeling insecure and anxious in this song, something everyone struggles with at some point in their lives. How do you cope with it?

I write songs about it [laughs]. Well, I still haven’t come up with the perfect recipe. I’m an introverted extrovert. Put me in a crowd of brand-new people and I feel out of place. It will take me a while to open up, but once I get comfortable, I’ll crack jokes all night. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also learned not to care as much. I wrote this song back in 2019 and feel I’ve come a long way with trusting in myself. I feel that this is a great time in my life to release this song now that I am in a more confident place with myself. Hopefully “Paranoid” can bring comfort to others dealing with similar anxieties and I can show them through my story that it does get easier.

The marketing behind this song is heavily inspired by Halloween – what was the inspiration behind it?

I was inspired after coming home from a pretentious party and feeling like people don’t like you or you don’t belong in existence. Halloween makes some of our more surface level fears come to life, so I felt that this would be the perfect time to talk about some of our deeper-rooted conscience fears that are just as spooky! I like the idea of a song that makes you feel like you’re being sucked into a vortex of agony. I based the visuals in my music video and cover off of many fears and phobias I have experienced, such as the scene of me panicking while on the phone. I had a big fear of talking on the phone in the past, but I’ve become a pro at it now. Anxiety is an extreme experience so it fits the narrative of horror perfectly.

Is Halloween one of your favorite occasions? What’s your favorite Halloween memory?

Halloween is my all-time favorite holiday. Before the pandemic, I used to throw a Halloween party every year. The one I had in 2019 had to be the best yet! So many of my friends were able to attend. My dad also joined the party and played beer pong with my friends. It’s a bittersweet memory since he has passed away, but one that I love to reminisce on.

How did you stay and have you stayed inspired during the pandemic?

I used writing as a way to keep me sane during the lockdown, I also taught myself new tricks when it comes to producing and technology. I play multiple roles when it comes to my career so it was open time to take in knowledge.

What are your goals for the rest of the year? What can we expect next from you?

For the remainder of the year, I will be spending my time working on my next song. I’m planning on releasing it in 2022 and I certainly want to make sure it’s perfect. Definitely keep an eye out for my new music as it will be just as raw as my previous work!

Check out the video for “Paranoid” above and for more information on Rikki Valentina, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.