New Jersey-raised Nico Valenzuela has established himself and his band Peña as core to the current SF music community with close ties to Mild Universe, The Breathing Room, Sweet Lew, and Mae Powell. Created in collaboration with those and other artists, Peña’s 2024 full-length album para ti is a fanciful Latin pop rock jam tracing its lineage from Spain to SF—and it’s one of our favorite releases of the year.
We interviewed Nico in advance of Peña’s set at the Bay Beats Launch Party at the Richmond Branch Library in SF this Saturday, November 2. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Where did you grow up and how long have you lived in the Bay Area
I grew up in North Bergen, NJ right outside NYC and I’ve lived in SF for 13 years now!
Describe your path to making music.
I started as a gamer, absorbing music from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band, and eventually picked up real instruments. Inspired by the DIY and bedroom pop era of the mid-2010s, I started producing my own music and eventually put together bands to play live around the city once I graduated from USF as a music major.
Do you have any new releases coming up?
I just released my third album para ti this year, and am working on the follow up that I will hope to put out sooner than later =)
Do you use the public library? If so, how?
I use the library A LOT. I love reading and SFPL has an amazing diverse collection of new and old books, manga, and movies. Truly a highlight of living in San Francisco.
How does the Bay Area influence the music you make?
The relaxed nature of life in the Bay has for sure influenced me in more ways than simply musical. Having the view of the Ocean Beach horizon from my home studio is an endless inspiration.
Which up-and-coming Bay Area artists are you most excited about?
I love the music made by my best friends in Mild Universe, The Breathing Room, Sweet Lew, and Mae Powell. But I recently have been exploring heavier influences and local projects who express similar sounds like The Moondrops, Pure Hex, Mint, and Figure Eight.
Do you have any hopes or predictions for the local music scene?
One day the world will know how amazing our scene is! I believe soon enough most of us will be touring the world to boatloads of fans who appreciate what we do. It’s only a matter of time.
See Peña play alongside Grooblen, the Kathy Kallick Band, Howan, and ronny ronny ronny (DJ) this Saturday, November 2 at the SF Richmond Branch Library.
