NWMS interview with VÉRITÉ

Kelsey Byrne known by her stage name VÉRITÉ has been making waves in the industry since the release of her first single “Strange Enough.”  Known for her stripped down lyrics and ethereal vocals paired with electronic music layers, she is currently on tour supporting Betty Who and will be performing at Neumos on April 26th.

 

NWMS: What did you want to be when you were a child?

VÉRITÉ: I guess I’ve always wanted to be a musician. I can’t remember wanting to do anything else.

NWMS: What music influenced your childhood?

VÉRITÉ: WRRV (my local alt station), Nirvana, Green Day, The Cranberries, The Breeders, The Four Non-Blondes, The Indigo Girls, Nelly Furtado and many more.

NWMS: When did you start playing? Writing?

VÉRITÉ: I started playing classical piano at 6 or 7. I started writing at 16.

NWMS: When did you decide you wanted to pursue music as a career?

VÉRITÉ: When I was 22 and decided to invest my savings into my first EP.

NWMS: How does the writing process work for you?

VÉRITÉ: It varies, but for the most part, I am constantly writing, recording melodies or jotting ideas down. When I have time home, I demo these out and string together the ideas into a song. From there, I take those ideas to different producers and start to build the production around the demo.

NWMS: How did you choose the name?

VÉRITÉ: A day of googling and a decision. The idea of being candid, and vérité meaning truth also stuck with me.

NWMS: How did your collaboration with Neon Gold happen? I know you’ve participated in their Popshop and SXSW showcase.

VÉRITÉ: The Neon Gold crew were friends of friends. The world is really small like that. They were really supportive from the beginning.

NWMS: Will you continue self-releasing or are you in the works of reaching out to labels?

VÉRITÉ: I’m going to continue releasing music independently through Kobalt Music Recordings. At the moment I’m not in need of a major label.

NWMS: What are you most excited for on this tour?

VÉRITÉ: Getting tattoos in Seattle and meeting people who haven’t heard of me yet.

NWMS: What are you most nervous about if anything?

VÉRITÉ: I’m really nervous about damaging the rental van. This is always a huge concern of mine. Please knock on wood for me.

NWMS: What was one thing you brought with you that you absolutely needed to remind you of home?

VÉRITÉ: Headphones, hoodie and honey. The 3 H’s. (This alliteration was a beautiful coincidence).

NWMS: What do you like the most about touring?

VÉRITÉ: I love being constantly busy and having every moment be focused on a set goal. I love touring so much.

NWMS: What do you like the least?

VÉRITÉ: When I can’t sleep enough as it effects my voice. Also when the air bnb or hotel is too cold. I don’t like being cold.

NWMS: Do you write while on the road or prefer to be in a more private setting?

VÉRITÉ: I write wherever. When doing more strategic writing or finishing ideas, I prefer to be home. I can get more done.

NWMS: Hobbies outside of music?

VÉRITÉ: Still figuring this out. At the moment, my hobby is work.


VÉRITÉ is currently on tour supporting Betty Who and will be performing at Neumos on April 26th.

Sophia Barkalakis

Music is probably the most important part of her life. Sophia is constantly searching for new material, old and new. Always looking forward to the next live show she can attend, ready to immerse herself in the sound. "There is something so magical about attending a live show that you cannot possibly feel from a recording itself that makes it worth going to", she says. She also says she's lucky to be able to combine her passion for music with her obsession of capturing moments. She finds that being able to look at a photograph and be transported to that second of your life is indescribable and she's so grateful for all those great moments.

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