After delivering her highly-praised debut EP 'Monsters On The Moon' earlier this year, London-based Italian artist Veronica is back once again with her latest EP 'Just A Dream'.
Featuring the previously unveiled singles 'As Dancers' and 'The Lake Of The Dead', the new five-track collection makes for a rousing listen throughout. Channelling a wonderfully rich and immersive alt-pop aesthetic from start to finish, 'Just A Dream' cements her as one of the more enigmatic names on the rise right now.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
My first instrument has always been my voice! I have been singing since I was little although I’ve always been quite shy and didn’t want anyone to hear me, so I would always wait for everyone to leave the house, and only then I would start singing. It’s probably still my favourite and that’s why I harmonise so much. Because I have so much fun and I don’t want to stop.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was younger (and to this day, to be honest), I loved listening to musical theatre songs from the movies I used to watch. I also had a dark phase when I was around 13 years old and I was listening to metal, that last a few years and I think that both of these worlds have influenced my music in some ways.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I had a Disney CD box set with four CDs with all the Disney Classics’ songs in four languages. I loved the box itself, it was blue and felt a bit velvety, and I must have listened to that collection a million times.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I have a whole playlist of these that contains so many Tori Amos songs but at the moment I wish I wrote “home with you” by FKA twigs. I’ve had it on repeat in my ears for months and it’s inspiring me so much.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I actually rarely sit down with the intention to write because I just write all the time anywhere, I got to the point where I can do it in my head even if I’m in a busy place surrounded by people. I can just zone out and have a whole arrangement playing in my brain and I can write down the lyrics pretty quickly and then I usually try to find somewhere quiet to record little voice notes to remember the melodies. If I forget to do that thought that’s also very fun because it means that a new melody for those lyrics will come to me later. I love that I’m able to do this now because I can act immediately when I’m inspired and then sit down to produce when I get to my laptop.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m currently listening to FKA twigs, Goldfrapp, Lisa Hanningan and Weyes Blood. I feel like we’re all sisters.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
It would be Florence and The Machine without a doubt.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I love creating something from the words and the melodies I hear in my head, and I love that these creations help people remember that they are beautiful when they connect to all of their feelings. I also like to make them laugh in between songs and that’s probably my favourite thing because we go so deep with the songs sometimes and then we come back up to the surface in a second and it’s all very intense and funny. I hope it feels like energy recycling.
And what is the most frustrating part?
All of those real human things like emails. I don’t like emails but I’m getting better at them.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“Do whatever you want” is the simplest and most liberating advice I’ve been given. I was doing that anyway but I hadn’t realised how important it was for me to be making exactly what I want to make. It is necessary for my wellbeing.
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Veronica's new EP 'Just A Dream' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.