Extended Bio

Valerie Thoms is an independent singer/songwriter and producer born and raised in Middlesex, North Carolina.   A small-town upbringing gave limited access to musical genres, making every new music exposure an adventure and a contributor to her current sound.  Professionally, Valerie Thoms was  enlisted as one of four lead vocalists in The Barnes Project, an inspirational band (and close family) out of Louisburg, NC.  In addition to vocalist, Valerie Thoms contributed as writer and co-writer within The Barnes Project which released singles, “Get Back” and “Get Back (remix)” in 2012 , “Everything” in 2013, the well-acclaimed album Verse II:  The Awakening in 2015, and the single, “Brand New” in 2018.  The band rekindled a love for music creation that had been long buried under the layers of everyday life, bringing Valerie Thoms to formally study music at Berklee Online.  

Formal music studies gave natural talent a new perspective to the creative process, initiating the ongoing music project, Quit Your Day Job.  This project is a series of EPs leading up to the completion of a full album, intentionally allowing  listeners into the vulnerable creative process.  Quit Your Day Job releases music throughout the journey of learning production, discovering vocal boundaries, and exploring sound.  “If I wait until I think it’s perfect, nobody will ever hear from me”,  states Valerie Thoms.  The beauty of Quit Your Day Job is the emergence of Valerie Thoms as a total package artist, including: self- writing, composing, recording, producing, mixing/mastering, as well as vocals, instrumentals, and more.  

The finale of Quit Your Day Job is currently underway, following the release of Vol. 2 of the project.  The finished project will include more polished versions of Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, along with several new songs.  Stay tuned for the completion of the project, which will include digital and hard copy releases, and be sure to stay connected for upcoming shows, merch, and the ongoing journey.

Brief Bio

Valerie Thoms is an independent singer/songwriter and producer with a sound born of southern baptist church roots, evolved into a mashup of soulful, quirky, and inspiring music.  Her first solo release, “Choose It”, was released in 2021, prior to obtaining her Berklee Online bachelor of interdisciplinary music studies.  This single, produced by Max LaMont, is a soulful reflection of her roots in the southern church community.  Her most current work, Quit Your Day Job Vol. 2, as well as, Quit Your Day Job Vol. 1 of the Quit Your Day Job project are currently available on music streaming platforms and applauded by peers.  This ongoing work reveals pieces of the artist’s story and gives an encouraging message to the listener and is well on its way to becoming the best, thus far, of Valerie Thoms.  

Photo Cred:  Jocelyn Drawhorn