Enfnts Terribles

For someone who isn’t familiar with you yet, how would you introduce yourself to a stranger?

Claudia Valentina: That’s an excellent question. I think I’m actually pretty easy to describe — I’m a very passionate perfectionist. A lot of people think I come across as intimidating or scary at first, especially based on my Instagram. But I’m actually the complete opposite. I mean, I am a bit of a “bad bitch,” sure, but mostly I’m obsessive, single-minded, and intense in what I do. That’s probably the only word that really fits: obsessive.

If you’re not in “bad bitch mode,” what do you need to flip that switch?

Honestly, I feel like I’m both all the time. I even got my first tattoo — it says “complex” — because that’s the best word for whatever’s going on in my brain. You can be confident and strong while also being sensitive and passionate. That’s the real definition of a bad bitch for me. I’ve always had this weird inner confidence about my music, even when I wasn’t confident as a person. That’s what’s always carried me through.

We read you grew up on a small island, Guernsey. What was that like, and how does it feel now to be breaking out into the world?

Guernsey was lit. Still is, honestly. No one really knows what it is, so when I tell Americans I’m from a little island off France, it sounds exotic. But it was very normal in the best way — just fields and BB guns with my brother. We had to fly just to get to the nearest Starbucks. It’s where my happiest memories are. I left when I was about 9 or 10 to start working in music, but that small island girl is still 100% in my bones.

What’s your creative process like for your music?

Super DIY. I usually write alone. I have a couple of people I trust, but most of the time it’s just me, my Apple headphones, and BandLab. I make moodboards, sew outfits, and even direct the videos myself. I’m not shy about it — I really do most of it solo. But I’ve also found these three amazing Swedish guys who just get me and my weird, obsessive brain. We’ve clicked in a way that’s made everything flow.

Tell us about the music video — it’s definitely memorable!

Thank you! I’ve always been obsessed with visuals. Even though music videos are technically outdated, I don’t care. The creative side is everything to me. For this video, I wanted to keep it simple but introduce people to the visual world I’ve been building for years. I even showed up with six liters of yogurt for one scene. We had no shower on set, so I ended up running through the streets of Sweden, butt naked, covered in yogurt, grabbing a hose while families were screaming at me. It was iconic.

Where did that yogurt idea come from?

I saw this art piece — a wax figure that looked like it was melting — and it inspired me. I’m obsessed with arts and crafts, plastic, see-through materials, and pearly textures. I brought back a suitcase full of weird Play-Doh from Korea because it just hits that creative itch. That’s how I build my moodboards. It’s like, whatever tickles that part of my brain, I run with it.

The artwork is really unique, too. What’s the story behind that?

I found this crochet artist online, and I just DMed him on Twitter like, “Yo, babes, can you crochet a photo of me?” He did! It’s me, completely naked, holding my own hand. Just an iPhone pic that he turned into this amazing piece. I love it when there’s a story behind every element.

You mentioned you record vocals in some unexpected places?

Yeah — like in strip clubs, dentist offices, even while getting kicked out of clubs. I’m always sampling stuff. I just love capturing real sounds. It adds something raw and weird that I love.