Feature Friday: Zoë Vera
This week’s Feature Friday is the wonderful Zoë Vera! All photos provided by Zoë, from her EPK.
Heroic nurse and wonderfully gifted musician, Zoë Vera, who hails from Auckland, is slowly creeping back onto the New Zealand music scene having recently released her exceptionally personal, vulnerable track from her archive titled Don’t Make It My Fault. I caught up with Zoë for a little mini interview to get to know her more and her answers did not disappoint. Thank you, Zoë, for your time and stunning music!
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You have recently released your very personal track, Don’t Make It My Fault, which is available to listen to across all streaming platforms. The song really tugs the heartstrings and you’ve written it in a way that showcases to others the hurt you went through with your previous relationship, making it feel as though listeners went through it alongside you. What made you want to release such a personal song? I can only imagine how difficult it must be to share your vulnerabilities with the world, especially with Don’t Make It My Fault being your debut single!
Zoë: Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. I find music very comforting. It creates a safe place to be cathartic and I believe that to be invaluable. Although I am 25 years young, I have experienced a lot of adversity in my life. This and being an Emergency Nurse, has made me very aware of ‘the human condition’ so to speak. Therefore, I find being vulnerable not only important, but quite normal. I’ve received a lot of feedback from various people, that my openness, has not only helped them, but empowered them and made them feel less alone. It is those moments that make it so worth pushing through the occasional discomfort I might feel. If I can help even one person, then I think that is a huge win.
You’re also a heroic (in mine and others’ eyes) registered nurse! Was there a particular situation that got you into wanting to be a nurse and how do you balance being a nurse with creating your music?
Zoë: I always wanted to do music, but mum and dad told me to get a backup plan, so I went to university to study nursing. I come from a family of nurses; my mum and twin sister are both intensive care nurses and my aunty and cousin are also emergency nurses. My dad also owns a health shop, so I guess I’ve always been around ‘the health scene’. Being an empath, I have always had this great pull to help people and advocate for inequity. I am also obsessed with travelling and the great thing with nursing is that worldwide, nurses are needed, which makes travelling with the job easy. Balancing the job and music can definitely be difficult. It’s actually why I’m only getting back to the music scene now. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, I was working at Middlemore, which has the busiest Emergency Department in Australasia. This job didn’t allow for much work-life balance and that made creating music difficult. Ironically, my back up plan of
‘nursing’ became the plan. That’s why it is just so exciting to be getting back to what I love doing and I believe music has the power to heal, empower and strengthen others, just like nursing.
I can see from your Instagram that you’re a big world traveler. What country has captivated you the most so far? Where else is on your bucket list?
Zoë: I was fortunate to have lived in Holland until I was 8 years old, as we were able to travel easily around Europe throughout my childhood. I think this is what made me such a keen traveler, as my fondest childhood memories are of our travels. I have travelled a lot in the past few years and have seen many amazing places, but I think Canada has my heart. It truly is magnificent and quite similar to my home in New Zealand in many ways. New Zealand is also breathtakingly stunning, and I am constantly reminded of this when I travel. In New Zealand you get the best of both worlds- snow and beaches, my two favorite things. However, every country I’ve been to, offers beauty and I think my favorite part of travelling is learning about culture and history. I hope to see every corner of the world before I depart this world.
If you were able to claim an album from any artist (living or not), what album would you choose and why?
Zoë: That’s a tough question, as I love many different artists. However, for the last 2 years, I have been absolutely in love with Noah Kahan. His album ‘Stick Season’ I find to be so comforting. What I really like about Noah is how real he keeps everything. As music has always been a sort of ‘therapy’ for me, which means that naturally my songs tend to be about adversity, I really appreciate artists that are very honest and raw with their emotions. Noah manages to make me feel understood, heard and empowered. I think it’s amazing to be able to connect with your listeners in that way.
How do you hope that your music will inspire others?
Zoë: I hope that my music inspires people to do hard things. I hope it comforts them. I hope it makes them feel less alone. I hope that it empowers people to follow their dreams, no matter what stage they are at in their life.
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To learn more about Zoë, you can check out her social media links below -