Luma Valen chose friendship as the heart of her debut single, ‘Alive’, for one simple reason: she wanted to create a song that connects people. A cinematic pop celebration that is warm, human, and instantly uplifting, the track serves as a reminder of the bonds that keep us grounded and inspired. While many will recognise the Puerto Rico-born artist from the glossy pages of Vogue, Grazia, and Glamour, Luma’s creative journey actually began with a violin and a deep-rooted love for storytelling long before she entered the world of high fashion.
Now, she is stepping into a new chapter she calls ‘The Frequency Era’, blending her spiritual sensibilities with a modern pop sound crafted alongside 17-time Grammy-winning producer Humberto Gatica. In this exclusive interview, we dive into how Luma translates ‘cosmic energy’ into sound, her experiences working with a legendary producer, and why her debut marks the start of a movement focused on authenticity and intention.
It’s great to meet you, Luma! Thanks so much for joining us today. You describe yourself as a “visionary artist” who turns “cosmic energy into sound.” When did you first realise you wanted to bridge the gap between pop music and these spiritual frequencies? Where did that journey begin for you?
“I see myself as an artist creating a worldwide movement that resonates deeply with people around self-worth, family, relationships, and honouring our emotional lives. Music is the channel through which I translate frequency, emotion, and transformation into sound that people can dance to, reflect with, or even cry through.”
“At a young age, I became very aware that certain sounds, melodies, and harmonies did more than entertain. They shifted how I felt in my body, and I saw how they affected others as well. Our voices and words carry frequency, and those frequencies have the power to heal or harm. Some of my songs carry mantras, others affirmations, and others tell stories that invite reflection. Even when listeners are not consciously focused on the lyrics, the music is still working on the body, mood, and mind.”
“I later realised that artists like David Bowie and Michael Jackson were already doing this. They understood that music operates beyond entertainment. Bowie used sound, identity, and storytelling as a way to explore transformation and inner truth, inviting people to question who they were and who they could become. Michael Jackson worked at the level of collective emotion. His music created unity, empathy, and responsibility on a global scale. Songs like ‘Man in the Mirror’ and ‘Heal the World’ functioned almost like emotional mantras, shifting how people felt together.”
They did not use the language of frequency, but that is exactly what they were working with. They wrote from truth, not trends, and trusted that sound could move people emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I see myself in that lineage. I am not adding spirituality to pop music. I am honouring what pop music has always been capable of when it is created with intention, presence, and emotional honesty.”
The video for your debut single, ‘Alive’, dropped a little while ago. Can you tell us about the moment you wrote this track? Why was it important for you to launch ‘The Frequency Era’ with an anthem focused on friendship rather than romantic love?
“’Alive’ came from a very personal experience with a friend. It was born from deep gratitude for friendship and presence, especially during moments when life feels uncertain or isolating. On my way to the airport to meet Humberto Gatica, the song came to me fully formed. I wrote and finished it on the plane. I already had other songs planned to share with him, but this felt undeniable. I knew it needed to be the first song we worked on and the foundation of the EP.”
“Friendship has been one of the most transformative forms of love in my life. It is steady, loyal, and rooted in choice. I wanted to begin The Frequency Era with something honest and grounding. Romantic love is beautiful, but friendship is often what carries us through our hardest chapters. Starting there felt true to who I am and to the kind of connection I want my music to create, one that reminds people they are not alone and that presence itself can be healing.”
You worked with Humberto Gatica, a legendary producer with 17 Grammys who has worked with icons like Céline Dion and Michael Jackson. What was that experience like, and how did his influence help shape the cinematic storytelling we hear in the song?
“Working with Humberto was deeply grounding. He brings an immediate sense of presence and respect to the music. There was never pressure to chase a sound or follow a trend. Everything was about serving the song. He has a profound understanding of space, dynamics, and emotional restraint, which shaped the cinematic quality of ‘Alive’. He knows that sometimes the quietest moments carry the most power.”
“We connected instantly through music. The songs spoke our shared language. I shared my vision, the sounds I was hearing, and the emotional world of the song, and he translated that into a musical masterpiece. He brought the song fully to life in ways that exceeded even what I could imagine.”
You’ve mentioned that your songwriting is about “awakening the higher frequency within us all.” What does your process look like when you are in the studio? How do you channel that energy into a structured pop song?
“My preparation happens before I ever step into the studio. It comes from daily wellness, my relationships with family and friends, and my personal rituals and meditative practices. When I enter the studio, I bring the energy I already embody and transmit that through my voice to everyone I work with.”
“When I say my songs arrive fully formed, I’m referring to the core of the song. The lyrics, structure, melodies, references, and emotional intention come to me together. I translate that intention clearly to the creative team. The production itself is a collaborative process led by Humberto and his musicians, who build the sonic world around the original intention of the song.”
“My role is to share that vision honestly and clearly, while Humberto leads the production with his mastery, experience, and musical instinct. In the final stages, I listen carefully and review the record before mastering. I share any thoughts on additional instruments or sounds that may support the song, and Humberto applies his expertise to the final refinements. Structure always serves the feeling, and once everything feels aligned, we complete and finalize the song.”
“‘Alive’ touches on the theme of living far from home and finding a chosen family. When writing, do you prioritize emotional authenticity or melody first?
“The emotion always comes first, but in this case there was no separation. The lyrics and melody arrived at the same time. That is one of the reasons working with Humberto felt so aligned. He was able to capture my melodic instincts, emotional intention, and vision seamlessly.”
“The melody carries the emotion, but without authenticity in how the music is built around the words and how the story evolves, it would not resonate. I want listeners to feel seen, alive in their bodies, and connected to the friendships that sustain them. Those relationships are special. Even when we have strong family bonds, friendships offer something different, especially for those who have built family through presence, choice, and shared experience rather than blood. The melody comes from the emotion, not the other way around.”
The press release describes your music as “Frequencies of a New Era.” How would you describe the sonic landscape of your upcoming EP?
“The sonic landscape of the EP is warm, cinematic, and emotionally grounded. It is soulful in intention and modern in execution. Real instrumentation, organic textures, and the human voice are central, balanced with contemporary production that feels current without being disposable. I think of it as timeless music expressed through a modern lens.”
You’ve said “love isn’t limited by blood; it’s built through presence, loyalty, and heart.” Is this the central message you hope listeners take away from the ‘Alive’ video?
“Yes, absolutely. That message is at the heart of ‘Alive’. The video reflects this through moments of quiet connection rather than grand gestures. There is a specific moment where presence alone communicates everything, and that was very intentional. I wanted the visuals to feel human, intimate, and real.”
Your brand emphasizes authenticity and raising vibration. What advice would you give new artists trying to find their own frequency without compromising themselves?
“Listen inward before listening outward. Trends move quickly, but your inner voice does not. Every artist has something unique to bring to the world if music is truly their calling. We all carry a distinct fingerprint, and the work is to discover the authentic imprint you are here to leave.”
“That comes from honouring all of who you are, not just the polished parts, but also your failures, shadows, and fears, alongside the beauty and truth you already carry. When you integrate all of that, your purpose and your voice become clear. That imprint is what gives your music something real to say.”
“Otherwise, the work risks becoming a repetition of what already exists. We are not here to copy or compete with machines. We have hearts, and that is where the music comes from. Let your life lead the work. When it is honest, it will resonate with others naturally.”
What has been the most meaningful realisation during the creation of The Alive Frequency so far?
“Learning that alignment matters more than speed. I trusted that the music would be released when it was truly ready to be received by the world. That trust changed everything for me creatively.”
With more music coming soon, including ‘Swept Away’ and ‘Sad Eyes’, what can listeners expect from the rest of the EP and the upcoming visuals?
“The rest of the EP continues the journey inward, but it also opens outward into moments of movement, connection, and joy. Each song explores a different emotional frequency, from reflection and vulnerability to the spark you feel when a moment or a person catches you unexpectedly. They are all connected by honesty, intention, and transformation.”
“Listeners can expect music that invites them to pause, feel, and reconnect with themselves, but also to move, dance, and remember what it feels like to be truly alive. I hope people hear the music and feel permission to be exactly where they are. This is just the beginning of The Frequency Era, and I’m grateful to share it.”
With her debut single acting as a beacon for what is to come, Luma Valen is successfully carving out a space where pop music meets profound human connection. By prioritising the "frequency" of the soul over the fleeting nature of trends, she is inviting her audience to experience music as more than just a background track, but as a transformative tool for the heart. As we look forward to the full release of ‘The Alive Frequency (Frequencia Viva)’, it’s clear that Luma isn't just following a path—she’s creating a whole new vibration.
You can listen to the new single above, and for more, be sure to follow Luma Valen on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to stay updated on The Frequency Era.
