Every journey starts with the first
step. On her twentieth birthday Verity took the first of many steps in
an incredible journey by writing her first song. Defying the challenges
facing all aspiring stars, she approached the music industry with a
different angle and strength of will that has positioned her as a
unique and inspiring artist. In 2006 Verity launched the Lucky
Packet Project to achieve her dreams. The ambitious singer would sell
her album before it had even been written, a rare feat for established
artists, let alone a debut release. Verity calculated that she would
have to sell 2000 albums to cover the costs of creating it and off she
went to gather the funding one CD sale at a time. Purchasing an advance
copy of the album made fans part of the decision making processes in
creating the album. Almost three years later 2000 people have made
history as future owners of “Journey”; the debut album by Verity. While
Verity’s story is fascinating, it should not distract listeners from
the fact that she has produced an outstanding collection of powerful
songs. “Journey” is clearly a personal album, dealing
with love, loss, insecurity, power and self-actualisation. Verity
enlisted a range of musicians from across the continent to perform on
the album. The result is a beautifully mature pop album with lyrical
depth and distinct African musicality. Listeners will find
Verity’s very personal songs reassuringly familiar. Her knack for
reflecting the human psyche is matched by her ability to inspire and
encourage personal growth through songs like ‘Shine’, ‘Don’t Look Back’ and the first single ‘Angel’. “When we released it as the first single off the album,” Verity explains “it felt like ‘Angel’
was the perfect way to introduce my music, message and the journey I
have been on to record this album for the world. For me personally, the
song is about allowing the strength and beauty we have inside ourselves
to shine beyond the fears that hold us back”. Verity is a truly
skilled song writer, presenting very personal experiences in songs that
everyone can relate to. She once battled singing ‘Forever in Me’,
a song about her father passing away, but the song has grown into a
celebration of his memory. Verity says that the song now brings comfort
to so many people, “I have been asked to sing it at a lot of memorials
and once again have discovered that a song so personal for me has found
a way of meaning so much to others.” She may focus on important aspects of life but Verity has learnt not to take herself too seriously. ‘Love Is’
reflects Verity’s way of dealing with a break-up, “It allows me to have
a little laugh about taking things so seriously and just get on with it
and accept the way things are.” Similarly ‘Take You Back’
carries an important message in a fun, upbeat song, “This is my song
for claiming back your power and walking away from things that no
longer serve you.” Verity’s positive message goes beyond her
music. As an inspirational speaker and performer her unique approach to
the music industry has made her an expert on the power of thinking and
acting out the box. Verity has shared the stage with top international
speakers including Dr John Demaritini, Lisa Nichols, Mike Dooley,
Patricia Glynn, Robin Banks and Bruce Muzik. As an ambassador for women
empowerment and POWA, Verity has performed and spoken to thousands of
women around South Africa, including the annual Women's Show at CCTIC
& Sandton Convention Centre, Lisa Nichols 'Ladies Can We Talk'
workshop and the GSB Women In Business Conference. As a result
of her work in the community, Verity was made an ambassador for
education and as such has awarded 40 Intec Bursaries to deserving South
Africans. She has toured with The Standard Bank Rocking Future Road
Show and spoken and sang for more than 4500 Matriculants about the
power of living their dreams. She has been interviewed by numerous TV
shows including The Power Within, Etv Showbiz Report and more recently
Morning Live and Carte Blanch. Verity has guest presented for Top
Billing and has hosted and performed at the Media 24 Awards, Virgin
Mobile Aids Day, The Red Cross Children’s Hospital R1mil Drive, CHOC,
The Chaeli Campaign, Africa Institute for HIV/AIDS Management and The
Saartjie Baartman Centre to name a few. The Lucky Packet Project
included far more than the recording of 'Journey'. 10.6% of every album
sold was split between two charities - POWA and the work they do to
empower women and Verity’s own Live Your Dreams Foundation to uplift
other South African artists. She sold over 2000 future copies in 25
countries around the world before going into studio and was able to pay
for two artists to record demos, as well as furnish POWA's shelters
with linen and crockery and three fax machines for their offices. She
recorded the album with top producers Paul McIver and Brian O'Shea at
the end of 2007 and it released in July 2008 having already made music
history. Verity has kept all her supporters in the loop through
her website (iamverity.com) and blog (iamverity.co.za). In July she
posted the news that the album was ready to be released, 'I feel very
fortunate that the gamble I took in starting this project is paying off
so amazingly. I have an incredible record label behind me now, a great
web team, incredible family and friends, a super supportive boyfriend
and 2000 people who are about to receive their CD's that they helped me
record!' The 2000 future owners of 'Journey' were rewarded with
a limited edition version of the album. The future owner copies include
two bonus tracks as well as a multimedia CD with photographs, videos,
press clippings, lyrics and Verity’s comments on each song. The retail
release of the album is already selling well through Musketeer Records. Verity
approached the music industry from such a unique angle that she now
finds herself back at the start; promoting a brand new album. Yet
Verity is starting with 2000 CDs already sold and a story like no
other. 'All in all as I near the end of the Lucky Packet Project I have
to say that I am one very very lucky girl! Here's to the next part of
the adventure...'
[December 2008]
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