Justin Bailey
Last updated on August 30th, 2017 at 01:22 pm
Kelsey Byrne, who goes by her stage name VÉRITÉ, is a singer-songwriter based out of Brooklyn, New York. Her full-length debut album, ‘Somewhere in Between,’ is due out in June and shows her intensity, versatility, and dedication as an independent artist. Working with producers from New York, London, and LA, she has crafted an album full of organic and electronic elements blended with rhythm-driven sounds that are a prime example of the sound VÉRITÉ is best known for.
Discovering her passion at a very young age, Byrne started singing and playing the piano at the age of eight. When she was thirteen she joined her first band, and all-girl punk band that played mostly covers and years later, she co-founded a seven-piece alt-rock act complete with a full horn section. She moved to New York City at the age of twenty and started creating under the name VÉRITÉ, pursuing her musical dreams mixed with working up to seventy hours a week at a restaurant in Times Square.
Her debut as VÉRITÉ, the independently released and self-promoted 2014 single “Heartbeat” quickly drew major buzz online. Though record labels were soon courting her, she decided to stay independent and continue waitressing in efforts to fund the release of her debut EP Echo. After releasing her sophomore EP Sentiment in 2015, Byrnes quit her waitressing job to pursue music full-time and hasn’t looked back since, racking up more than 100 Million streams on Spotify alone.
Now Byrnes finds herself gearing up for a spring tour of North America & Europe with Betty Who in efforts to promote her upcoming debut album; a tour that is going to bring her through Minnesota, performing at the Triple Rock Social Club on April 22nd.
MIM: You’re hitting the road with Betty Who! Are you excited/ nervous?
Kelsey: I’m definitely ready to be back on tour. When I’m home for too long I start to get stir crazy. This run should be a lot of fun.
MIM: I see you’ll be appearing at select European dates. Have you traveled this far from the US before?
Kelsey: I’ve toured parts of Europe a couple of times. I love playing shows in different countries and meeting people as I don’t get over here as often as I’d like.
MIM: I read your dad was also a musician! What was the name of his band?
Kelsey: Funny, my dad plays music but wasn’t a rock star, contrary to some write-ups that I’ve seen (although he does love the title). He’s a professor and graphic designer, but we used to play music together when I was younger.
MIM: Where there any uncertainties when quitting your job to pursue music full time?
Kelsey: There were so many uncertainties. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make a living or sustain the project at that point. It was definitely a jump into the unknown.
MIM: What would you say to those who are afraid to follow their dreams, due to fear of possible failure?
Kelsey: I’d say change is uncomfortable, so be ready for it, find people you trust to tell you the truth and prepare yourself to work harder and longer than everyone around you. Create a world for yourself where failure is not an option.
MIM: What is one song from the new record that you’re excited to play live?
Kelsey: Currently, “When You’re Gone” is my favorite to play. For my headline run, there’s a track called “Death of Me” that will be interesting to interpret live.
MIM: Aside from music, what are some of your other passions?
Kelsey: Right now, I’m pretty obsessed with work, so this takes up most of my time. I do yoga, try to read, but haven’t found a real hobby yet. I tried knitting… It hasn’t worked out yet.
MIM: What is a deeply personal goal you’d like to obtain (music or otherwise?)
Kelsey: Madison Square Garden and not caring what people think.
MIM: What is your honest opinion of Donald Trump?
Kelsey: Follow me on twitter.
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