Mark it in your calendars: go listen to VÉRITÉ’s new song “I’ll take the blame”, waiting for her full EP out on October 9th

Words: Giorgia Gremese / giorgiagremese

Grown up in Warwick, New York, and now established in Brooklyn, the independent and eclectic singer VÉRITÉ / verite is now launching an ambitious project with her new EP “New Limbs: Volume 1”. Today, September 25th, we can finally listen to “I’ll take the blame”, a deep and touching song in the wake of the receding “Younger Women”, both defined by her as “unfiltered emotion”. VÉRITÉ made clear how the loss of love can be an instrument to get stronger and a better human being and, at the same time, music as a way to free and vent pains.

Kelsey Byrne, her real name, is young, smart and intuitive. She started making music while saving money waitressing at Applebee's in 2014 and now she lives thanks to her art. This is her greatest achievement. A strong and courageous young woman, who started her career thanks to the passion for music transmitted by her family and the determination to build her dream day after day. That’s the key to success!

French Fries Magazine had the opportunity to talk with VÉRITÉ and to preview her EP, here is some little spoiler. Have fun!

Due to the lockdown, your tour has been canceled in early March. How much did you miss performing in public and being in close contact with fans? Are you planning your next dates yet? 

Planning future tours in the traditional sense is kind of a futile game at this point. I'm more focused on finding ways to immediately connect with my fans that can be done safely and effectively. I love being on the road and bringing socially distanced concerts to my fan's driveways. I want to function in the now and when touring comes back, I'll 3000% be back on the road ASAP.

This period of isolation was for many a journey of introspection. You quarantined on your own, how did this situation influence the writing of your new project “New Limbs: Volume 1”?

I initially quarantined at my parent's house, which was nice because we all are very work oriented. We definitely pushed each other to be healthy and productive. That time gave birth to “Younger Women” and “I'll Take the Blame.” Since then, I've moved back to the city solo and have been spending a lot of time alone. I feel like I'm getting a second dose of isolation and introspection without the training wheels.

Listening to the song “Younger Women”, part of your last project out October 9, 2020, I felt a deep sensation of delusion and sorrow in your voice. How much love affects your music?

“Younger Women” comes from the loss of love and the anger and sadness that comes along with it. I've never really had my heart broken and I think losing someone I loved so much has tapped into some things in me that I've never processed. It feels like an ocean of sadness, but I also feel like I am diving in and will make it to the other side a much more whole, healthy human.

Since your stage name “VÉRITÉ” from the French “truth”; how much truth and how much of you there is inside the new EP? 

Everything I write comes from a place of truth and personal experience. “Younger Women” and “I'll Take the Blame” is unfiltered emotion, “Best of Me” is supposed to be a love song about not being able to express as much love as you feel. “Save Up” is meant to be lighter and less heavy.

You decided to grow up as an independent artist. How important it is for you to keep control of your music and avoid being labelled by a record company? 

I value my freedom. Being independent and in control of my career allows me to move forward. Finding partners is valuable, but I also realize no one will care about my project as much as I do.

How has your music changed over the years? 

Hopefully it has gotten better. The writing is more honest, the melodies are more intricate, and the production value has grown. My goal is to upgrade myself with every release.

What has been the greatest achievement in your career? 

Spending the last 5 years making music for a living. I'm trying to focus in on the goals I set in the beginning and view them as wins. Making that dream come true is the apex.

What’s your dream in the drawer? Who would you like to work with in the
future? 

Please send me James Blake's phone number? Also, James Vincent McMorrow. I've been into the still, sad, beautiful vocal vibes recently.

What advice would you give to young artists who are now approaching the music scene despite the strong competition? 

Work harder than everyone around you. If you can't afford something, go hustle to make enough money to fund it yourself. Don't rely on others to do anything for you, you need to be the backbone of your career.

Do you like to play and dare with looks? How would you define your style during your performances and in real life? 

My style has changed and really elevated within the last few years. I think I have reverted to being comfortable and chic in black and neutrals, though my stage outfits tend to be a little more feminine and floral, at least in the “New Skin” album era.

Do you have any pre-show rituals? 

I steam my voice before every show and drink a cup of throat coat.

Who is your greatest influence? 

My parents taught me how to work hard and be resilient. That is 99% of being an artist.

Do you ever find yourself unable to express your creativity to the fullest? 

Of course. In those moments, I try to give myself a break and shift my focus or rest my mind. Those mo- ments are brilliant for binging Netflix.

Do you think social media and online platforms are a good medium to connect artists and fans? 

They are so necessary for connection, especially in the era of COVID. I've been trying to do extra and be available to my fans. Being kind is always a good thing.

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be? 

I would lessen the influence of the algorithm on music discovery. I think it gives people tunnel vision.