A Few Words With Val Emmich

One of the bright spots of Ugly Betty season 3 so far is the guest appearance of musician/actor Val Emmich.  Val is truly a rising star, and appeared in 3 episodes of Ugly Betty as Betty’s crush Jesse.  Emmich was kind enough to have a few words with Ugly Betty News recently, and I’m excited to bring that to you today.

But first, a few quick facts about Val Emmich:

• He was born in Manalapan Township, New Jersey.
• Although he played soccer as a boy, he contracted Lime Disease and had to give up all strenuous activities.
• During this time, Val learned to play guitar and write songs.
• Emmich is a graduate of Rutgers University (2001)
• Val was the first unsigned artist to appear on MTV’s Total Request Live
• He has released 6 albums, including his latest, Little Daggers (with the single Get On With It).
• Emmich started acting in 1997 to help pay for college.  He has appeared in commercials for Got Milk?, Burger King, and AT&T.  Along with Betty, Val has appeared on Ed, Third Watch, Hope and Faith, 30 Rock and Cashmere Mafia.

But, of course, we’re more interested in Ugly Betty, so we asked Val about it:

UBN: As Ugly Betty fans, we have to know: what has it been like, working with America Ferrera?

VE: America is truly amazing. First off, she’s a really, really good actress. She’s always considering the big picture whenever we are setting up a scene. It’s never about that particular scene but the overall story and life of the character. She has the ability to just click it on immediately. We’ll be in between takes and we’ll be chatting about our lives and then they’ll call action and she’s right into that zany character. Besides acting though, America is also a wonderfully down-to-earth person and really kind. She’s made me feel real welcome and real safe and that’s what an actor wants when they are on a set.

More after the jump!

UBN: Songwriting is such a personal thing. Some have to write the lyrics first, some, the music.  Others start with a hook or riff and build around it.  And others set out to tell a story before they write a word or note.  How does the songwriting process usually go with you?

VE: It’s almost always music first. Then melody. Then lyrics. I will often start by letting whatever emotion I’m feeling at the moment channel itself through the instruments in my hands whether it be a guitar or piano. For example, if I’m anxious, I might strum the guitar really aggressively. It’s as basic as that.

And then I let it happen really naturally. I’ll see where the chords are taking me. I’ll often mumble a melody into my laptop and then try to listen back and make out the words. Those words that I was subconsciously saying are my map and I let them guide me to what the ultimate story of the song is going to be. It’s an unorthodox approach but it works for me.

Songwriting starts as a release for me. After that initial expunging, then it becomes cerebral and I actually craft the song.

UBN: Is there more acting for you in the near future (especially Ugly Betty!), or will you be concentrating on music and touring?

VE: There will be more acting. I just finished a film called Fighting Fish and I play the lead in that. And I’m continuing to go on more auditions. I will continue to try and focus on both so long as they continue to teach me about myself. Not only are both acting and music amazing creative outlets but they allow me to test your limits as a human and that’s really the point of being alive.

Indeed.  I can’t wait to see Emmich as his star continues to rise.

Image: Newscom