About Val
Val Haller is founder/CEO of the music website Valslist.com (launched 10 years ago) – first music site specifically created to help busy adults keep up with new music
She is a member of 2112 music [startup incubator] at Fort Knox Studios, Chicago; writes the music column for Make It Better magazine and BA50 blog; authored a weekly “Music Match” series for the New York Times; is a regular guest on the morning television show “You & Me This Morning” (WCIU “The U”); launched an indie concert series at Chicago Botanic Garden, writes a personal music blog mini music note, and hosts a long-running professional house concert series in her Chicago home which has expanded to private country clubs, ad agency gigs and other corporate events.
Her business has branched out in myriad directions; Val interviews bands, covers press at music festivals, launched a music club for adults, hosts live events, provides festival concierge services, and recently launched a mobile app ValslistRadio (playlists for your iOS/Android).
In June 2017 Valslist co-produced and launched a premier inaugural boutique music festival Winnetka Music Festival in her hometown of Winnetka, on the N. Shore of Chicago. Billed as an “Emerging Artist Showcase” Valslist curated the music lineup for the fest with 2 main stages, a Family Stage, and an intimate indoor stage at The Winnetka Chapel, an historical landmark. The fest included 3 large sponsors, support on WXRT’s “93 Days of Summer”, and cover story in NS Magazine (part of Modern Luxury.) First year attendance was 10k+, 17 acts, craft beer + food trucks, establishing the fest as an annual event, moving it to Father’s Day Weekend.
Val has been vetted by Oprah, Katie Couric, WGN, FOX, Chicago Sun-Times, WNYC public radio, NYT, NS Magazine, and music industry moguls, Bob Lefsetz, Norm Winer of WXRT, Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, and more.
But her mission is simple: she wants to get the best new music to an audience who doesn’t have time to find it on their own. You.
