Verity's Blog

About "Raise"

Growing up in the political climate in South Africa exposed me to how little people actually listen to each other. We are so often caught up in making ourselves heard that we ignor those around us. It is the same in families - everyone is so busy trying to get their point across that they never 'hear' anyone else and at the same time feel that they are being unheard.

I wrote this song while driving through Germany with some friends back in 1999. There we were - two South Africans, a German and a Croatian - having a political discussion - very dangerous territory! I was on the outskirts of that debate so I got to watch their passionate expressions in the rearview mirror as they each tried to push their point across with resulting frustration on all parts. When we arrived in Kiel where we were staying we went down to the beach, and I wrote the lyrics there.

In the eight years (yikes) since I wrote this song it has come to be one of my favourites and seems to resonate with people. The message for me has shifted to also incorporate the impact we can have when listen to one another powerfully and from there raise our voices to effect change in society. It is only through people finding their voices and speaking their truth that anything ever changes. I love that this song can be played a big rock concert and then again at a charity benefit to get people inspired to contribute, raise money, raise awareness and be counted!

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About "Will I Still Be The One?"

With the world so obsessed with staying young and 'perfect', these are the questions I realize that I would want to ask of anyone I might contemplate spending my life with.

Its not enough for them to love my youth - its about loving the journey together and growing old side by side.

I love the idea of lines around my eyes from years of smiling! What better way to know you have lived a rich and happy life?

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About "Devastation"

I wrote this song on 2nd January 2005. I was still in a state of shock from watching all the images of the devastation from the Tsunami. I was blown away at the extent of the disaster and how amazingly people pulled together to get through those first few weeks. What really got my attention was the amount of money that the superpowers had at their disposal to send through to help the relief operations. As generous as they were, I couldn't help wondering where that money is for the tragedies occurring daily all over the world. It seemed sad to me that 300,000 bodies on a beach was the only way to get them to dig really deep and help.

It saddens me to think that we can do so much good for one another, but usually only in the face of enormous disaster. I know in my own life that I often only let people know how much I love them if they are sick or I am afraid I am going to lose them. It is a wierd part of being human that we don't appreciate things when they are good.  Don't wait for life to bring you pain to reach out and share your humanity with the world. Today is the most precious gift you have. Use it!

About my song "Perfect"

"Perfect" is my saddest love gone wrong song. It was a heartbreaking moment to realise that who I was just wasn't enough for the person I was with. It was a process for me to realise that I didn't need to fit someone else's idea of what they wanted and be happy to just be me. I hope I never put my expectations on anyone and leave them doubting who they are. We are all 'perfect' the way we are. Don't change to keep someone's love. Love is a gift - not a condition.

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New Video for "Wherever Love Goes"

Check this out....

I received this incredible video show from a fan in the States who put this together for my song "Wherever Love Goes" with some pics off my site and other pics he included. I am blown away that a complete stranger on the other side of the world would take the time to support my music and album project in this way! This is the magic that happens when you just start something...

Thanks so much Noel. Verity

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Meet my band...

I am starting to get a more full time band together which I am just loving! It is awesome to meet for rehearsals and work on the songs and watch them grow.

The longest standing members of my band are the super chilled, unbelievably talented bass player & drummer Helder Gonzaga & Tony Paco from Mozambique.

Helder has been with me since 2004 and truly is the backbone of my band on stage. He knows my songs inside out but still manages to bring something new and fresh every time we play. Tony has also been playing with me since 2004, but it has been a year since we worked together as I was in the States and then he was touring Asia. He recently returned home and was back in the drumming seat in no time.

Next is the very recent addition of Texito Lange who has been drumming for me while Tony was away – also from Mozambique.

Texito is one of the most gentle souls I have ever met, and yet he has so much funk and groove behind the kit! He is really starting to gel with my tunes and has already brought some great new rhythms to some of my older tracks. As the band grows I am hoping he will add his percussion skills to the music  while Tony continues on drums! On top of being generally great, he also has been actively promoting me in Mozambique for us to get booked there, so watch this space.....

Then - on keyboards I have been blessed with massively talented player hailing from  Congo – Nelson Malela! Nelson brings with him a zest and enthusiam for life and music that is infectuous. He is completely dedicated to my project and music and blows me away with his eagerness to rehearse and work on new songs. He plays two keyboards on stage which means we are starting to bring some interesting sounds into the music. With him and Texito working together there is an increasing African flavour to a lot of the tracks!

Ironically, no-one in my band currently is originally from South Africa. I am from Zimbabwe, Helder & Tony & Texito are from Mozambique (speaking Portuguese) and Nelson is from Congo (speaking French). We are an eclectic bunch and are getting to make some really magic music together as it is the only language common to us.