VI.BE

Bio:

In the early nineties Peter V. was overwhelmed by ambient music and its distinctive sound. So it didn't take long before Valleyman opened his own music bar. The public just dug his chill-out tunes and dove into the upcoming rave-subculture. Those were the days Peter V. bought himself some synths and a sampler and started composing. Then, discovered by Jo Bogaert (Technotronic), his first full album ‘Hertzhague’ came out on Bogaert’s record label XXP. Valleyman was born…

Valleyman’s sound is described variously as ambient, chillout, or progressive electronica, and sometimes all three, but at the time of its release the term “progressive ambient” was still the most widely used term to describe his music.

his debut … in 1995

‘Hertzhague’

In 1995 Valleyman released (on Jo Bogaert's XXP-Label) a breathtaking album leaving the listeners shivering with excitement; Hertzhague! His creation consisted out of almost tactile sonorous universes, interluding with serene melodies, and this outlined with down-tempo rhythms. The work was welcomed with the kind of admiration normally predestined for classical composers, although it was purely contemporary with its specific electronic approach.

Noteworthy are the most sublime 'Teleport to Origin' and the epic 'Scopalamine'. 'Virtual Environment', one of the uptempo tracks was even chosen by the Belgian choreographer Chantal Yzermans to match one of her performances. Due to the timelessness of this superb album Valleyman decided to remaster and re-release this debut on his own label, ZON Records.

Also take into account Valleyman's contribution to the following compilations: 'State of the Art vol 4' (PIAS), 'Highway & Landscape' (Distance), 'Pondou Fever' (Peyote), Ambient Definitions (XXP) and many more. Soon after his debut album, two 12 inches were also released on Jo Bogaert’s former XXP-Label; 'Boatdrill' - with tracks and remixes from the Hertzhague album, and 'Angle' - a 4-track techno vinyl.

He has also published records under the name, the Launch Project, Electromen, Pete Lewis, World Audio Fidelity, Tape Kollector. “Managing the Meat” by the Electromen was released on Terminal Antwerp in 2002, and was a Velleman collaboration with the respected electronica composer, Dirk De Boeck, Jo Bogaert (Technotronic) has contributed slide-guitar on the majestic ‘Ambient in Blue’.

Peter did a lot of ghostwriting for well know projects a.o. Technotronic, Vive La Fête, Tragic Error, ...

'The Maker Needs Your Attention’

2016

credits: All music composed and produced by Peter Velleman aka Valleyman

Mastered by Karel De Backer - http://www.kareldebackermastering.be

Cover photography, artwork and logo design by Peter Velleman

Additional photoshop editing by Jef De Corte for Aeroanuthttp://www.aeronaut.be

‘The Maker Needs Your Attention’, Valleyman’s second full album, finally arrived to join us. Whereas his first album was more or less a personal and chameleon-like approach of what electronic and chill-out music could be at that time, his new work may be accommodated under Ambient/Chill-out. The artist does not project his influence to hide. His tone has been compared to Pluto, Manuel Gottsching, Colfax, Mijo, Fingertwister, Elba, Biosphere, Brian Eno and Richard H. Kirk and The Orb. Not only the music and production is created by the artist but the photography and the artwork as well.

Let the music play …

'The Maker Needs Your Attention'contains 8 tracks, or better still, musical mini-journeys. This 40 minutes lasting album is made with electronic musical instruments of all kinds and is solely instrumental. Each musical work evokes different moods of dreamy states. Atmospheric, ethereal, lyrical, grand, are the kind of adjectives which 'll best describe this musical odyssey.

This musically well balanced album keeps the listener’s attention until the very end. Some melodies are craving in such a way it's almost impossible to ignore them. Sometimes the music is driving on monotone repetitive tunes that’ll get the listener in a kind of hypnotic state. It just makes the listening process worthwhile; these musical pearls simply emerging and dissolving like a classical approach of question & answer and all compositions are perfectly connected to form a whole.

Finally …

This is a well-balanced album evoking a variety of emotions. The musical architecture and the arrangements were kept very simple, neither hackneyed nor banal. Above all this album can be listened to from the very beginning until the end without losing your attention or focus. I'd like to add: Less is more!

About the album cover …

Also the artwork is done by the artist. The picture on the sleeve says it all. The cow, as a metaphor, has many meanings. The domesticated ruminant, the herbivorous mammal, the milk-machine (for all clarity: the sleeve is only showing dairy, no beef). The herd (human beings) is drawn towards the light; note the alertness and movement of the two cows in front. They are leaving a dark, grim, black, contaminated, depressing world and are on the way to liberation. Very surreal. Hope springs eternal!

The way the title is pictured on the sleeve (illogical partitions) refers to the general inadequacy and imperfection. Nothing is ever complete or perfect.

The Maker (refers to the Creator, the Supreme Being) demands the absolute attention of the herd (mankind) stating our present global civilization is heading the wrong way.

Productinfo (cd’s, vinyl, downloads, etc … )

physical releases:

• Album (cd) Valleyman-Hertzhague XXP-1995-2014
• 12” (Vinyl) Valleyman-Boatdrill XXP-1995
• 12” (Vinyl) Valleyman-Angle XXP-1995

Compilations:

• 'State of the Art vol 4' (PIAS)
• 'Highway & Landscape' (Distance)
• 'Pondou Fever' (Peyote)
• ‘Ambient Definitions’ (XXP)
• ‘Trance for Israel’ (Fairway record)
• ‘Untitled Story Story:The Slow Room - Radio Mentale’ (Technovision)
• ‘Pondou Fever’ (Peyote Records)

digital releases

• Album ‘Hertzhague’ re-release ZON Records 1995 -2014
• Album ‘The Maker Needs Your Attention’ ZON Records - 2016

streaming:

• https://zonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hertzhague
• https://zonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-maker-needs-your-attention

Valleyman has been working on a new full album and a series of life gigs in 2026

Release new album somewhere in 2026