Verity Pabla
Coventry, England, United Kingdom | INDIE
Music
Press
Coventry singer-songwriter Verity Pabla is a familiar name on the local music scene, but is also making her mark on the other side of the world.
Verity, who is the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Band of the Month for December, has made a new life for herself in New Zealand.
She has returned to Coventry to spend time with her family, but to also reunite with her band.
Shows include concerts at Playwrights and Taylor John's House.
A new single
Speaking to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire about her change of location, Verity said: "There are a number of stories I could tell about how I ended up there, but I suppose the simplest one is that I just really liked the idea of going to live in that country.
"I've been living there a year now and it's fantastic, but it's nice to be able to come back and see the people I love and do some music over here."
While she has musicians she plays with in New Zealand, Verity hopes to try and get her 'Coventry band' out there in 2012.
The band consists of Francesca Egan on backing vocals, Si Hayden on guitar/bass, Wayne Matthews on bass and drummer/percussionist Ben Haynes.
Verity began writing and playing music while at university and it was during this time she learned the guitar.
She went professional over four years ago and is currently working on a new single.
'Mellower than ever'
Talking about her style of music, Verity said: "It's all quite mellow, acoustic stuff. I've got one rock EP and I was planning on making a rock album, which maybe I will at some point, but having moved to New Zealand I've probably chilled out even more.
"My stuff is probably coming out mellower than ever - less melancholic though."
But is Coventry still home to Verity?
"I think New Zealand is my home to be honest. I'll always be from Coventry and I'll always feel somewhat at home here because I'm so familiar with it, but I feel that when I go to New Zealand, I feel quite settled.
"I think it just comes down to which places nurtures you on a personal level. The environment is a huge thing for me. I can go up to the top of Mount Eden, which is in my area and I just look at a 360 degree panoramic of the whole city... It's just green and totally beautiful.
"It doesn't matter what Coventry does, it can't compete with that."
Verity is playing at Taylor John's House in Coventry on Wednesday, 28 December. - BBC
Discography
2012: 'A Song Yet Sung...Part One' Album Teaser
2010: 'This Mess' EP
2010: 'The Journey Live At Playwrights' Live Enhanced Album
2009: 'Step Forwards' Single
2009: 'Trust Again' Album
Songs from each release are played on BBC Introducing in the UK, radio in Coventry UK, and in New Zealand (North Island).
Photos
Bio
Mid-2012 release 'A Song Yet Sung...Part One' on UK based indie label Silvery Records, previews the latest music from Verity Pabla with an international band spanning the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, bringing a jazz/soul feel to the thoughtful, heart-based lyrics and mellow vocals of the British born singer-songwriter-guitarist. Sponsored by Bang & Olufsen in New Zealand and now managed by Linda Nelson of Envision Entertainment Group in Los Angeles, USA, Verity's music is starting to reach ears around the globe. With radio play from the likes of BBC Introducing Coventry & Warwickshire and Radio Ponsonby Auckland, performances at venues throughout the Midlands, the Godiva Festival in the UK, as well as in her current home of New Zealand, including an appearance representing the British Council in New Zealand during Brits At The Beach, the warm and soulful songs introduce spiritual themes to the listener through an 'easy on the ear' style.
"The ultimate aim I have for my music is to empower individuals to live their truth, be emotionally honest, and self-loving! This life is a beautiful one and, although it might be challenging, it is also full of opportunities to grow, to love, and to create our reality from a place of power and passion."
For 'A Song Yet Sung...Part One', Verity recorded at producer Groove Furnisher's studio in Birmingham, England with long term band members - guitarist Si Hayden, drummer Ben Haines, bassist Wayne Matthews, backing vocalist Francesca Egan plus a new addition in the form of accomplished French saxophonist Patrick Goutanier. The new songs have come from her experience of "moving to the other side of the world alone to fulfil a long-held vision, letting go of the past, and embracing 'the moment' and the joy of taking risks whilst allowing life to flow". Currently collaborating with UK/NZ electronic duo Modifier, Verity's singing and song writing abilities are also being showcased within an edgier, darker sound in their debut album due for release on Karin Park's record label State Of The Eye Recordings in late 2012.
Verity is trained in KaiAmea - a school of therapy and spiritual development based on quantum and meta-physics, which has infused her life with a sense of deeper meaning, understanding, and a focus on expression through creative form. With a background as a devising theatre performer and director in Non-descript theatre company, Verity graduated from Theatre & Professional Practice at Coventry University, UK where she first began writing and recording new music. The first release was an acoustic EP entitled 'Calmly Contemplate' (2004) with current Sony/ATV artist Olivia Broadfield on guitar and backing vocals, followed by a full album called 'Glassbox Vol.1' (2005, remixed and remastered 2007) as part of the 'spank-jazz' trio Hojo. This led onto EP 'Bamboo Sessions' (2007) produced by Hojo collaborator - composer and multi-instrumentalist Sunim Koria. Leaving her theatre career to pursue music full time in 2007 led to the discovery of all the current English band members through the live music circuit in Coventry. This has seen a series of releases on Silvery Records from the debut album 'Trust Again' (2009), single 'Step Forwards' (2009) to live album 'The Journey Live at Playwrights' (2010) followed swiftly by rock EP 'This Mess' (2010). Having relocated to Auckland, Verity started to write new material in 2011 and continues to song write in anticipation of the next studio album.
Running international creative production company I'm not a machine productions, Verity has initiated and overseen all creative projects since its' inception in 2006. She has previously worked with animator-artists Sarra Hornby and Ben Skirth, artists Brian Harley and Amerjit Kaur Dhaliwell, producers VE Sound and Groove Furnisher on electronic based remixes, with her original music having been inspired by the likes of Eva Cassidy, Sarah MacLachlan, Heather Nova, Gemma Hayes, Shea Seger, Amy Mann, and India.Arie. Honoring her favourite artist, Lizz Wright, the band have produced a version of Wright's song 'Speak Your Heart' for the latest release, hoping to reach the hearts and ears of the discerning soul-focused listener.
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