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…”