Unkenny Valleys is the Noise Pop / Electronica solo project of Berlin based songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Kenneth Estrada y Santiago.

 

Inspired by sci-fi soundtracks ranging from old Godzilla movies to 80s Blade Runner vibes Unkenny Valleys combines blissfully fuzzed-out guitar noise with modern EDM elements. Kenneth calls it “cybergaze” and the name fits. The in 2017 released demo EP "Rocket Fuzz" already showed a versatile range of alternative rock ambience, pop melodies and harsh noise. Kenneth released four singles and two cover songs by Depeche Mode and The Cure since. All of them demonstrating the unique ideas he brings into the studio and his talent for balancing melody and grit.

 

In 2020 Unkenny Valleys started to collaborate on music with shoegaze and electronic artists like Sourin (JP), Keith Canisius (DK), Parallx (GER), Animal Ghosts (US) and Point Lobo (US). A full-length album called Giant-Yellow-Eyes that deals with mental health, childhood nightmares and conspiracy myths is slated for 2022.

 

Kenneth creates every aspect of each Unkenny Valleys release himself. He handles songwriting, recording, production, marketing, and most of the artwork, which makes each of these tracks a deeply personal expression of his artistry and vision. He pushes himself to make music listeners aren’t expecting. “I think, at some point, a musician has to challenge oneself by going uncomfortable ways when writing a melody or designing sounds,” he says, continuing “This is very important to keep things exciting for myself and the listener. Guitar noise scares off some people as they think it couldn't be enjoyable. I want to show how beautiful and modern it can sound in a pop song.”

 

Unkenny Valleys has been compared to My Bloody Valentine, Depeche Mode and Deftones but always maintains its own creative space. Kenneth freely bends the musical world to suit his will, going so far as to perform live on a guitar with a built-in sample player and trigger pads plugged into a pedalboard that lets him become a self-contained show. His futuristic instrument design also attracted synthesizer fans and led to a three day guitar perfmorance at the Berlin Superbooth in 2021.

 

Unkenny Valleys is releasing some of the most compelling and original music on the European scene right now. Forward-thinking fans seeking new sounds to obsess over need to hear these songs tonight.