TikTok and YouTube sensation, 17, to headline blues fest

By Correne Martin

A 17-year-old who is stirring up social media commotion with her vocal prowess and throwback style will headline the Prairie Dog Blues Festival this weekend. 

Self-labeled a cross between Janis Joplin and Amy Winehouse, TikTok and YouTube sensation Vella is coming to Prairie du Chien. She will take the 23rd annual blues fest stage Saturday night, July 31, at 10:30. 

Tickets can be purchased at Sports World or at the gate on St. Feriole Island.

Vella was 16 when she was discovered last year on TikTok by her Los Angeles record label, L3V3L Records. You may have watched her perform cover songs like “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden, “Oh! Darling” by the Beatles, “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John, or “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zepplin.

Vella comes with a ‘70s flair; experience and presence from performing with the girls dance group, Entertainment Revue; and now songs she’s written and co-written personally and over the moon about releasing to the world.

Todd Yeomans, Prairie Dog president and founder, said Vella is “going to be a household name by the end of the year.” She charms music lovers from all edges of the spectrum—no matter genre or age. 

Yeomans worked hard to get Vella to come to the festival, as he believed this was his best chance before her demand skyrockets.

Coming from a household where her dad played piano and drums constantly, Vella, aka Gabriella Valdes, has been seriously singing since the age of 7. 

“My dad, who is my biggest inspiration, gave me music as an outlet,” she said. “We put a video out of me singing ‘Rolling in the Deep’ and it went viral. I always wanted to be in the spotlight so I started doing talent shows and auditions in the Tampa area.”

She laughed, remembering her childhood zeal, “We have a place by the beach, and I would, like, go up to people who were trying to sun themselves on the sand and just sing and dance. I would perform for pretty much anyone who would watch me.”

Vella began creating her own music videos, with a little help from dear old dad, of course. 

“He always pushed me to be my very best,” she shared. “He guided me with the mic on my karaoke machine. He suggested songs I would sound the best on.”

Vella said she was responsible for dressing the part of a singer, however. 

“I figured out my style in middle school actually,” she said, explaining her retro vibe. “One of my things is I love sunglasses. I have, like, 63 pairs.”

When COVID hit, she said she was bored out of her mind sitting around. So she recorded herself singing a version of Amy Winehouse’s “Me and Mr. Jones” in June of 2020 and the online views were huge, to say the least. 

“That’s how my record label found me,” she said.

After that, she covered “I See Red” by Outlaw. That recording garnered her 8.9 million views. 

“It was insane,” she remarked. 

Now, with plans to move to L.A. soon, Vella has a band behind her and they’re taking a new brand of blues-rock and soul across the country. She tours with her manager dad, or her mom, and is completely in her element “performing and singing my heart out.”

“My goal in life is to bring blues back to my generation,” she added. 

Vella’s debut original single “Sky Without Stars” and her latest “Pull the Trigger” are rising up the charts. She’s also working on playing piano and guitar.

She said her audience in Prairie du Chien can expect a “crazy energetic” performance. She and her four-piece band will jam to many popular covers, and she’s overjoyed to play about 10 originals—some of which haven’t even been released yet.

This year’s full lineup for the Prairie Dog Blues Fest, including 11 other bands, is:

Friday

5 p.m.—Ally Venable Band, 7 p.m.—Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, 9 p.m.—Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, 11 p.m.—John Németh, tent band—The Hooten Hallers

Saturday

12:30 p.m.—Roscoe Foster & The Rascal Theory, 2:30 p.m.—Lurrie Bell & Jason Ricci, 4:30 p.m.—Amanda Fish, 6:30 p.m.—Tony Holiday, 8:30 p.m.—Altered Five Blues Band, 10:30 p.m.—Vella, tent band—Avey Grouws Band

For artist videos and other information, visit prairiedogblues.com, or find the festival on Facebook and Instagram.