Vera Ellen

Where are you from?

I’m from Wellington, New Zealand. I grew up in Lower Hutt and Naenae. My dad is Welsh, and my mum is Polish.

Was there music around you when you were growing up?

My mum and dad listened to a lot of classic singer-songwriters (especially my mum). So, there was a lot of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, as well as bands like Pink Floyd and Lou Reed. My dad is a massive Beatles fan as well. They grew up around the time that that music came out, so it was very influential to my early songwriting. My sister was really into her punk and hardcore music and even made me mixes. My brother is also an excellent musician and showed me a lot of real classic female singer-songwriters. So, in general, I had a lot of influence from my family.

Do you have any advice for this year’s Smokefreerockquest participants, or young musicians in general?

I think the main thing is don’t be afraid to make bad stuff; keep making stuff. Sometimes it takes ten not-so-great songs to come up with one good one. All of the learning and experience you are going to get from that process will be beneficial down the line. Play with as many people as you can. If you find someone you connect with really well as a mate or even with making music, stick with that person. Cherish that relationship. It doesn't happen all the time! Sometimes it might not work out even though it seems like it might work really well.

You have played on some major stages and had some great media coverage of projects you've been involved in. Is there any part of your musical journey that stands out as particularly special/a favorite moment?

Performing at the APRA awards in 2023, with the Exploding Rainbow Orchestra covering Don McGlashan’s “Andy,” was a very special moment as Don McGlashan is an icon of NZ music. It’s such an emotional song and it was very professional. It was very memorable as well. It was terrifying; I was so nervous but I was like it's always good to challenge yourself like that. You don't get many opportunities to be in an uncomfortable situation like that. It was a very special moment.

When you're writing, what do you start with? What is your process from beginning to end?

It depends on the nature of the song. Sometimes if I’m feeling really overwhelmed, or something’s happened that’s made me feel really raw, my process is to get home, set up my recorder, and just get it out. Sometimes it will only take 20 minutes, and it’s really raw and pure and I don’t like to touch it much after that. Or sometimes I’ll have some lyrics or a melody in my head over a few weeks and one day sit down and make an intentional effort to say ‘right let’s just get this out, what's the next bit, where can I take this’. The main thing is to allow the space and silence to allow songs to come in and develop, it’s easy to get distracted by constant noise, and not being able to tune into what the song is really telling you.

How do you choose what songs to release?

It's a real long process, sometimes there are songs I’m really drawn to and others that I’m not drawn to as much. It’s the ones I’m more naturally interested in, not forcing the relationship there. Whatever feels the best and I can say, “Right, I’m really happy to release this one.”

What are two things you have learned along your journey, that you would tell yourself if you could go back in time?

You have a lot of time, and the main thing you need to work on developing is your sound and everything else will naturally come. Don’t be stressed about the big career side of things. You have to be ready with really polished and developed music. That takes lots of time and lots of learning, you’re not always gonna get that immediately. Relax, develop your sounds and create good, working relationships.

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