Interview: Verity

How did this all start, did you grow up loving music, singing. Was this always a dream for you?
I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember. My mum always tells me I was humming little melodies before I could even talk, and my first step towards a piano Music has always felt really natural to me, and I’ve always known, that this was what I wanted to do.

You have a new single out, Casual, what can you tell us about the inspiration behind it?
Casual is really about modern dating. I feel like we’ve normalised this whole “no strings attached” culture, and honestly, I think it’s a cop-out. It’s like people want all the benefits of a relationship without commitment or loyalty. The song is about that frustrating in between space when you’re more than friends but not quite in a relationship and how confusing and hurtful that can be.

Why do you think songs about situationships resonate so strongly with people right now?
Because so many people have lived through one. It’s become so normalised, but I don’t think it actually feels natural. Not knowing where you stand with someone, especially when you’re willing to give them your whole heart, is such an uncomfortable feeling. I think people hear this song and feel seen.

You’ve made this song with the talented JuJulipps, how did this partnership come to be?
Honestly, it was love at first listen! My manager, Vince Harder, had seen JuJulipps perform at an awards event and showed me her Instagram afterwards. As soon as I heard her, I knew she was the perfect person for this track. She brought exactly the energy and attitude the song needed.

Did working with another strong female artist change the energy of the record?
Absolutely. Studios can often be pretty male dominated, and while I’ve worked with some incredible male producers and writers, there was something really special about creating this with another woman. We both understood the emotions behind the song from the same perspective, so there was this unspoken understanding that made the collaboration really authentic.

As a New Zealand artist, what differences do you notice between the music scenes in Auckland and Los Angeles?
They’re both really inspiring, just in different ways. In Los Angeles, everything moves so fast everyone’s creating, collaborating, and chasing the next opportunity. It’s an exciting environment. In New Zealand, I think there’s a real sense of mana in the music we make. It feels a little more grounded, and there’s a real focus on creating songs that come from the heart. I love being able to experience both.

You first built a following through viral social media videos. Did you ever imagine those clips would lead to the career you're building now?
‍Not at all! At the time, I was just posting because I loved singing and hoped people would connect with it. I definitely never imagined it would lead to opportunities like performing overseas, releasing my own music, or building the career I have now. It’s pretty surreal when I stop and think about it.

Winning the Up & Coming Artist Competition at Jim Beam Homegrown Up & Coming Artist Competition was a major milestone. What did that moment mean to you? It meant so much. One of my goals for 2026 was to perform at my first festival, so to tick that off at Homegrown was already amazing. But the fact that it happened in my hometown of Hamilton made it even more special. I remember being nervous that hardly anyone would come and watch, but there was actually such an awesome crowd. It ended up being one of those moments I’ll always remember.

You've performed everywhere from Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park to headline shows in Los Angeles. How do you navigate performing to different audiences? Every audience is different, and that’s actually one of my favourite parts about performing. I say live music is an energy exchange you feed off the crowd, and they feed off you. Whether it’s a headline show or something like Christmas in the Park, I try to stay present and adapt to the moment. A lot of my songs are about really relatable experiences, so no matter who’s in front of me, there’s usually something people can connect with.

You're currently working on your debut album. What can you tell us about it?
‍I’m hoping to release my debut album by the end of the year, and the whole project revolves around one theme  T.R.U.T.H., which stands for “The Real and Unrefined Truth Hurts.” It’s all super honest music. Every song comes from a really genuine place, so people can expect lots of vulnerable lyrics, raw emotion, and hopefully something they can see themselves in.

What do you have coming up that you can share with us?
‍Right now, I’m really excited about my new single, Casual, with JuJulipps. I hope people give it a listen and maybe find a bit of comfort in knowing they’re not alone if they’ve experienced something similar. Beyond that, I’m working hard on my debut album, and there are a few exciting things in the works, so definitely keep an eye and an ear out!

What would your ideal BF burger contain?
‍I go for the mushroom veggie patty with loads of fresh salad lettuce, tomato, onion the works! Definitely cheese… and some aioli too. You can’t go wrong with that!

Sound Check, Vibe Check
‍What is your go to song to Jam out to in the car? S&M by Rihanna
Who is your favourite artist at the moment? Mulaa Joans
One thing you can’t perform without? My oversized water bottle
One artist or band you would love to co-lab with? Justin Bieber
Go to BurgerFuel order? The V rod (light weight), chips with EXTRA Aioli, and a lemonade

Fire or Backfire?

1. Pickles in burgers: FIREE

2. Crocs: Backfire

3. Karaoke: Backfire for me, I never know if I should actually try or sing silly 😅

4. BurgerFuel Aioli: 100% Fire

5. Acoustic performances: Fire

6. NZ Music Month: FIREE

7. Festivals: FIREE

8. Singing in the shower: Fire

9. Pineapple on pizza: Fire

10. Supermarket in bare feet: Backfire

Check out Verity's newest single HERE, and stay up to date with her HERE.