Lovina Falls glides forward with a propulsive swirl on ‘Light and Low’
Valerie Forgione’s dark dream-pop project returns with inspired advice and lush electronic melodicism on a new single out Friday, June 13
Lovina Falls celebrates ‘Light and Low’ on Friday, June 13 at Deep Cuts in Medford
Photo Credit: Joan Hathaway
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Mistle Thrush vocalist releasing sophomore Lovina Falls album later this year
BOSTON, Mass. [June 13, 2025] -- Lovina Falls has a simple message for those seeking some kind of comfort in this unsteady, overwhelming, and uninspired 2025: “The world is blowing up, so find yourself and your people and move forward together, regardless, and in spite of, the chaos around.”
It’s sage advice from the dark and whimsical dream-pop and art-rock project from Boston singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Valerie Forgione, which returns to the streams with their first new music of 2025 in “Light and Low,” a rousing jaunt of electronic sounds, harpsichord, and dizzying propulsion that hits the streams on Friday, June 13. The track arrives before the official release party later that night, held at Deep Cuts in Medford alongside The Daylilies and RoseR.
But Forgione understands that the notion of moving forward is not as simple as one would seem, especially at a time when we feel cornered, both emotionally and spiritually, by the forces that surround us. When motion is a kind of freedom, the ability to keep going gets harder and harder. “Light and Low” acts as a compass, both internal and external, its textured depth gliding forward with Lovina Falls’ elegant urgency and natural dream-like ability to lead and inspire with each passing note and lyric.
At its core, “Light and Low” relays an internal vision to keep moving, to push forward, and power through with a sense of community and compassion. It certainly does not hurt that one can dance to it.
“‘Light and Low’ is about recognizing that as time goes on, it’s ok to let go of old and 'historic thinking' to create a new path through and out of the Thicket of Now,” Forgione says. “It’s about knowing that when things change, the path is not predestined. Change the change. Move with conviction but head gracefully into the unknown, light and low.”
And that is what the former Mistle Thrush vocalist and co-songwriter has been doing since Lovina Falls debuted on the scene back in the spring of 2023 with the release of enchanting debut album Calculating the Angle of Our Descent. After Mistle Thrush went on hiatus in the early 2000s, reuniting briefly in 2011 and 2014, Forgione focused on theater work around the Boston area, writing scores for local theater productions as well as contributing music for podcasts and select indie films.
But something stirred within her creative spaces, and soon a blueprint for the Lovina Falls sound quickly formed, taking the lush grandeur of her former band and sharpening its senses for a sonic cocktail that blends art-rock, baroque-pop, post-punk, glam, and whatever else bubbles up from the songwriting cauldron.
Since the record hit, a new inventive spark has shined, and the Lovina Falls musical output has accelerated. “Light and Low” follows two 2024 singles, the post-apocalyptic stomper “Tragedy” and sweeping video release “Ellery Way,” both unveiled last summer in advance of performing with Chameleons at The Sinclair in Cambridge. Last month, Forgione delivered a recorded version of a Lovina Falls live show favorite, “About The Sun,” as a Bandcamp-exclusive ahead of an appearance at Lowell’s The Town and The City Festival.
Each of those three tracks, as well as the stirring “Light and Low,” will be featured on the forthcoming Lovina Falls sophomore album, set for release later this year. But first, Forgione is tapping into something deep within her with this new single, echoing the calm rage of last year’s singles and complementing it with the multi-hyphenate’s hypnotic, beguiling sound and ability to quietly lead and inspire. “Light and Low” reaches these exciting new Lovina Falls heights by Forgione’s uncanny ability to summon something rather sporadic from her own personal depths.
“Songwriting for me is accidental,” she admits. “It's about whatever instrument is within reach at any given time, and the songs evolve from that sound. For ‘Light and Low’, I was playing the harpsichord and the progression hit. Typically, I'll add drums, bass, and vocals, and construct it along the way, with lyrics being last, after the idea has formed. I'm always wildly impressed when folks say they had a melody, a part, or lyrics and were inspired to write a song. I sort of go about it in a backwards manner, stumbling around and hoping to find something along the way.”
When that thing is discovered and fully-formed, as it is on “Light and Low,” it all serves to illuminate the song’s overarching theme of heading gracefully into the unknown and embracing what comes next.
“I suppose it's an inadvertent partner to [Calculating the Angle of Our Descent opener] ‘On Your Side’, which was created in a similar fashion, but this has more dissonance,” Forgione adds. “I like the dissonance. It creates a tension, and a bit of an underscore to what is seemingly straightforward.”
“Light and Low” also continues to position Lovina Falls as a collaborative project, where Forgione performs most of the instrumentation in the studio before it blossoms on stage with the live band. What began as a solo outlet to attempt a reconnection into her past as a path forward has now evolved and emerged into a full-fledged ensemble, playing shows routinely and emerging as one of Boston’s most dynamic live on-stage septets.
And live on stage, where the Lovina Falls sound truly emerges, the band swells to a consuming wall of sound and melody, featuring two other fellow Mistle Thrush members in guitarist Scott Patalano and bassist Matt Klain, and joined by Carrie Ingber on keys, Chuck Ferreira on drums, Brenden Cobb also on guitar, and Laura England Klain and Emily Drohan on vocals.
On “Light and Low”, Forgione performs vocals, piano, harpsichord, keyboards, bass, and drum programming, and is joined by fellow Mistle Thrush bandmate and drummer Todd Demma, now of Chameleons, alongside Cobb on tremolo guitar and co-producer David Minehan on additional guitar.
“Sonically, I think there is more energy and depth with the addition of real drums from Todd Demma,” Forgione offers. “I also brought in more tremolo (I love tremolo) and panning (I love panning) to emphasize the feeling of being In and Part of the music as you listen. Oh yes, and there are more layers – always layers.”
Those layers help the track take its expansive shape, a torrent of sound wrapped gently in Forgione’s penchant for lush melodicism. “Light and Low” was co-produced by Lovina Falls and Minehan at Waltham’s Woolly Mammoth Sound and mastered by Dave Locke at JP Masters. And Forgione understands the role Minehan plays in helping bring her creative vision into the light, from the early stages of the project to the right now.
“‘Light and Low’ was constructed similarly to the last two releases – ‘Tragedy’ and ‘Ellery Way’ – but each song in its own way is collaborative,” Forgione notes. “Working with David Minehan is magic. He is incredibly patient and quite good at interpreting my analogies and ambiguous sound descriptors. When I have an idea but can't find it on an instrument, he can take whatever melody I meow at him and make it real. The chorus guitar on this single is a perfect example. Likewise, Todd came in and made the drums a whole lot better, raising the energy and bringing the lightning to Frankenstein’s monster.”
How these songs all fit into the puzzle of the new album is still to be determined, but that’s a worry for another day. “Light and Low” asks the listener to understand the moment, to embrace it, and use it to forge a clear path forward. It’s clear Forgione will be able to do so, as well.
“I am still finishing up the album, but because I tend to be motivated by instinct, I expect the album will not easily fit into one specific genre,” she concludes. “There are similarities between songs, but the approach to each is its own, depending (again) on the instrumentation and what is happening in the world at any given time.”
That is unpredictable. But the comfort and inspiration Lovina Falls provides through music has crystallized into something surely dependable. And for Forgione, the ask of the listener is a simple one, as we all have enough to deal with each and every day
“I would love a song, perhaps this one, to be something that fills a small hole somewhere for someone.”
It could be a soundtrack to help keep moving.
Media Contact: For press inquiries hit up Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com, and reach Valerie Forgione directly at lovinasounds@gmail.com.
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‘Light and Low’ production credits:
Written by Valerie Forgione as Lovina Falls
Produced by Lovina Falls and David Minehan at Woolly Mammoth Sound
Mastered by Dave Locke at JP Masters
Valerie Forgione: Vocals, piano, harpsichord, keyboards, bass, drum programming
Todd Demma: Drums
Brenden Cobb: Tremolo guitar
David Minehan: Additional guitar
Cover collage art by Lindsey Walker, artlwg.com
We are light and low. ♡
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‘Light and Low’ artwork:
Collage art by Lindsey Walker, design by Valerie Forgione
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Lovina Falls artist bio:
Welcome to Lovina Falls, the new musical project from veteran indie singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Valerie Forgione. Described as “elegant baroque-pop drama” by The Boston Globe and “buoyant” by The Big Takeover, Lovina Falls released debut album Calculating the Angle of Our Descent in 2023, with all songs written, arranged, and produced by Forgione, as she accompanies her familiar alto voice with piano, analog synths, guitar, bass, organ, and drums. With this new project, now performing live around Boston as a septet and nonet, the former singer of ‘gazing alt-rock luminaries Mistle Thrush has earned comparisons to the likes of Fiona Apple, Bat For Lashes, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sharon Van Etten, and Angel Olsen.
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Show flyer for Deep Cuts 06.13.25:
Poster by Valerie Forgione
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Recent media praise for Lovina Falls:
“...elegant baroque-pop drama” _The Boston Globe
“Valerie Forgione’s best-known band, the atmospheric local ‘90s outfit Mistle Thrush, split in 2002, but it took until 2023 for Forgione’s first solo album, Calculating the Angle of Our Descent, to emerge. Staking slightly different territory from that of Mistle Thrush, it’s a darkly enjoyable trip, exploring several forgotten sonic trends from Forgione’s creatively fecund heyday.” _Boston Magazine
“What a wonderful way to welcome summer with a delectable slice of dream pop kicked-up into another gear from one of our favorite indie artists!” _Kristen Eck of BumbleBee Radio on ‘Light and Low’
“Though Lovina Falls’ buoyant, airy baroque/synth pop differs markedly from her former band’s Slowdive-conjuring, wall-of-guitars shoegaze, it’s just as nuanced and textured, thanks to intricate layered instrumentation from Forgione and her guests. But it’s her elegant, wide-ranging alto voice, still bedazzling after 22 years, that’s Calculating the Angle of Our Descent’s main draw.” _The Big Takeover, Issue 94, Spring/Summer 2024
“‘Tragedy’ is a gorgeous, lush track that is a beautiful example of how Valerie Forgione effortlessly turns lyrics and sound into breathtaking art.” _The Whole Kameese
“Lovina Falls, the brainchild of indie sensation Valerie Forgione, drops a stunner with ‘Tragedy’. This track masterfully blends art pop cabaret vibes with a chorus so catchy it could make Placebo green with envy. Forgione’s knack for elegant baroque pop drama, mixed with a modern emo rock edge, is pure magic. ‘Tragedy’ is a bold declaration of the unique, mesmerizing path Lovina Falls is destined to follow.” _Last Day Deaf
“[Calculating the Angle of our Descent] is a joyfully unclassifiable album that ranges from baroque pop to bracing electronics, both warm and challenging, with Forgione’s gorgeous voice delivering stories about the human condition.” _The Boston Globe
“‘Tragedy’ takes the baroque pop of her album and makes it rock out. This new song starts off how we’d expect a new song from Lovina Falls to go with lovely instrumentation and harmony. And then the song takes off into a more 90's style, noisy and chaotic burst, all while keeping all of the melody and harmony intact. ‘Tragedy’ is an intense and beautiful track that has us dying to hear even more.” _If It’s Too Loud
“...absolutely beautiful.” _Scene Mom Says
“Ex-Mistle Thrush singer/songwriter Valerie Forgione has taken two (three? five? a hundred?) steps forward with Lovina Falls. To call Forgione’s new project a rock band is right and totally wrong. First, she wrote, arranged and recorded debut album Calculating the Angle of Our Descent as a one-person show. Second, it sounds like the soundtrack to a wonderland where the Bohemians, goths, punks, and dreamers took over.” _Boston Herald
“Some sleek modern production values serve to reassure us that we are not, in fact, forgetting ourselves, and that ‘Vaulted’ is truly brand new: a delightful amalgamation of old-school songcraft served up with a modern character.” _Rumor Control
“Captivating and colorful like the song itself, the visual [for] ‘Vaulted’ sports a series of scenes in settings ranging from a magic show, a carnival, and an abandoned playground which, under the watchful eye of Hathaway, adds greatly to the Lovina Falls mystique.” _Rock & Roll Fables
“From the haunting sound of the harpsichord on ‘On Your Side,’ to the exquisite fusion of baroque pop harmonies on ‘Back of My Heart,’ Lovina Falls is truly the reflection of a unique musical vision.” _Oleada Indie
“‘Too Bright To Burn’ is a trippy, instantly sticky and bass-driven vibe with Forgione’s crystalline voice flowing all over it. It’s part of her notable debut longplayer Calculating The Angle Of Our Descent.” _Turn Up The Volume
“Lovina Falls sees Forgione going in a new sonic direction. The latest single from her new album, ‘On Your Side,’ is more baroque pop than alt-rock. There are still the basic elements of 90's indie rock sprinkled throughout ‘On Your Side’, and even some of the more pop focused side of trip hop. It’s an interesting new direction for one of our favorite Boston 90's artists, and we’re looking forward to seeing what other directions Lovina Falls goes in.” _If It’s Too Loud
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Media Contact: Michael O’Connor Marotta at michael@knyvet.com
Artist Contact: Valerie Forgione at lovinasounds@gmail.com
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