LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Many individuals associate music festivals with hot summers and overwhelming crowds. Last week, Valley Sessions challenged that notion by ending its second season with an intimate, fire-lit music festival at The Hood.
Founded by Ryan M. Robson, Valley Sessions finished the year with its first-ever music festival. While their debut season focused on video recordings of local musicians, this year they expanded to feature artists from across the United States. Many of them returned for the finale celebration.
“This year I was like, how far can I throw this net?” Robson said. “How far can I get people to come down to Las Cruces? People that just hadn’t even intended on coming to Las Cruces.”
The show ran from 3 to 10 p.m. at The Hood and transformed the space into a cozy, intimate venue. Between sets, attendees explored the gallery or stayed bundled in blankets around fire pits, sipping warm coffee and enjoying food from Wannabe Farms Food Truck.
“It’s important to me that it feel communal,” Robson said.
Seven artists performed with a unique style ranging from quiet and captivating country tunes to playful, high-energy performances. Some songs called for seated reflection, while others sparked spontaneous dancing and two-stepping.
The bond among the artists was evident. They stayed for each other’s sets and exchanged hugs on the back in passing. A similar connection extended to Robson as well and his professionalism and passion received praise from the performers.
“A video with Valley Sessions would be so expensive to get done by anybody else,” musician Sierra Edmister said, known as Era Snow. “It is so special what they’re doing.”
Edmister, the first artist Robson collaborated with for Valley Sessions, credits her video with the platform for landing her a spot at the Oregon Country Fair. Despite her experience traveling as a musician, her heart remains with Las Cruces.
“I want those experiences in the land I love,” Edmister said, challenging the idea that great art only happens in big-city hubs.
Robson feels the same. With Valley Sessions, he aims to spotlight the talent in Las Cruces and increase the city’s value as one of those “hubs.”
“There’s a really beautiful clash of people here in this area I’d like to be able to work with,” Robson said. “We have such great talent here and we very rarely see them mesh in a really special way.”
Sponsors like HTeaO and Grounded Lounge helped Robson bring the festival to life, and many voiced how important it was to have an event like this in the community.
“Doing this at The Hood opened my eyes to how events could be here,” said season one musician and the sound operator Zane Chaffee. “Valley Sessions is bringing acts we usually wouldn’t see here and putting Cruces on the map.”
The festival’s success highlights Las Cruces’ potential to showcase local talent and attract touring musicians. As Robson prepares for season three, he aims to expand the platform beyond live music sessions and hopes to gain greater support, perhaps one day from the city.
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