Vera

VERA was born in the recording studio, when Sarah’s producer enlisted Darragh, Dave and Matt as session players for her solo work. They were all already overworked and juggling too many projects but were drawn in by Sarah’s songwriting. During these sessions they all became slightly obsessed with each other (as musicians and people) and worked through to the middle of the night every night writing together, playing together and becoming mates. By the end of these sessions VERA the band had been formed.

Having formed in the studio, recording has remained and incredibly important part of the process, bringing out a dopamine-addicted silliness in all of them as they collaborate and obsess over every sound on every song. As individuals they come from a range of musical backgrounds and areas of interest; covering R&B and musical theatre, metal and ultra-pop, riot girl and alternative rock.

Playing live has given them the opportunity to try and translate the energy, the chaos and the fun that they feel from creating the songs in the studio to an audience. A lot of their songs are about shit boyfriends. They believe that heartbreak is easier to deal with sarcastically and that shit boyfriends are quite a funny topic… One objective of the live show is to share this distinctive take on relationships with other people and maybe even help pull them through their own difficult experiences with humour and DGAF energy. It resonates!!

In September 2024, they played their first headline show and it just cemented the feeling of how these four musicians have found their way into the best band any of them have ever been in.

The next stage is to bring this “punch-drunk romanticism” (HOTPRESS) to as many live audiences as possible. They created this band because of the immediate chemistry they all felt as soon as they played together, even for the first time, and it feels like the best way to share this is live. They are looking forward to supporting the artists that they look up to, playing the stages they love as punters, and continuing to chase the next dopamine-hit from writing and playing music together.

“What a f**king voice! … Packed full of raw talent and anger and a sensitivity that is so visceral and natural that it is difficult not to get on board with this.”
- Ciaran Lavery

Previous support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, Today FM, The Sound Lab, Amazing Radio, Red FM, Spin SW, 98FM, Hot Press, Goldenplec, RTE Entertainment etc