Valen

Valen was a trio from Rio de Janeiro with Valnice on vocals, Valdir on guitar, and Valter providing rhythm. They started playing small venues around the city, building a following through live performances rather than industry connections. Their debut album came out in 2005, mixing samba and bossa nova with pop elements.

Their song 'Daquele Jeito' became one of their better-known tracks, along with 'Cold Blood' and 'Smoking Gun.' Valnice's voice had a direct, emotional quality that worked well with Valdir's guitar playing, which tended toward intricate patterns rather than simple chords. The group maintained a consistent lineup throughout their time together.

They developed a reputation for sticking to their own approach rather than chasing trends. While they weren't the most commercially dominant act of their era, they built a solid catalog of work that held up on its own terms. Their music had a straightforward quality that avoided overproduction.