We Speak Music

Veronica D’Souza continues her journey from fashion pioneer to producer with powerful dancey summer hymn “Peaches In My Halo”, out now!

Published

5 months ago

September 6, 2024

Don Reed

“Masterfully melds sensations of impatience, passion, dread, and hope”- The Line Of Best Fit
“Her unique sound authentically reflects emotional depth, lush harmonies, and a courageous commitment to change.”– Wonderland

Veronica D’Souza is an Indian/East African/Danish independent producer and songwriter, with a feminist, multicultural, and artistic approach to music and the world. Her debut single “Just Because A Crush” caused a stir in May when it was picked up and praised by The Line Of Best Fit and Wonderland Magazine. Now Veronica returns with her second single “Peaches In My Halo”.

‘Peaches In My Halo’ is an unapologetic dancey alt-pop epic with a simple message – to say yes to all that you are and let your confined identities loose. The track’s syncopated rhythms and infectious chants shake the listener awake from their past versions of themselves as Veronica’s soaring fierce vocal and synth moods twist and turn from crystalline melancholy to life-affirming upliftment, creating a hymn-like power.

The track is a journey of rebellious, transformative social critique towards joyful liberation and comes from Veronica D’Souza’s upcoming debut album. The album was produced by Veronica herself and mixed by Jorge Elbrecht, who is known for his work with, among others, Sky Ferreira, Caroline Polachek and Weyes Blood. Veronica contacted Jorge Elbrecht a year ago, and he immediately fell in love with her sound and has since mixed the rest of the album.

Veronica D’Souza lives in Copenhagen, and she personifies fearless creativity and a genre-defining approach. In addition to her music, she is also recognized for her great work as an entrepreneur, activist, change agent and advocate for women’s rights, where her transformative influence resonates through her musical art. Veronica D’Souza’s music reflects her authentic voice of emotional depth, lush harmonies, and a courageous commitment and urge for change.

Veronica was the founder of fashion label CARCEL, which made headlines in Vogue, i-D mag, The Huffington Post and made the cover of The New York Times globally for its innovative approach to empowering women in prisons with paid employment and education through luxurious and sustainable clothes. She also founded Ruby Cup, a social enterprise dedicated to providing sustainable menstrual products to women and girls in East Africa.

Having to close down CARCEL due to Covid was a catalyst for Veronica to find her voice again in a new way and teach herself how to produce music. In line with her entrepreneurial spirit, she took the lead and spent the nights on YouTube to emerge as a self-taught and independent artist. Veronica’s music is an extension of her work promoting women’s rights and her fight for social change. There is a common thread in her messages and her way of looking at the world with an in-depth storytelling of many different layers and genres.

On “Peaches In My Halo”, Veronica explains, “We all live under a carpet of external expectations and internalized limitations. This song says to defy the confined boundaries and societal norms, dare to dream, and allow yourself to live out all the different versions of you. It’s about rebelliousness, transformation, and social critique. Throw your head back, take space, be it all, live it all. What would happen if you did, just for a minute.”

For the single’s visual elements, Veronica D’Souza has worked with visual artist Ida Hermansen on a set of stunning photos that complement the track’s themes of breaking free from what others and the world expect of you, and embracing all you dream to be.

We Speak Music

Joshu’s Soulful Voyage Into Identity and Place In ‘Way Back Home’

Published

4 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Philomena Marie

Indie-folk artist Joshu’s latest EP, Way Back Home, is a captivating exploration of belonging, identity, and the search for self. Following a painful breakup, Joshu embarked on a life-changing journey across the Atlantic Ocean, retracing the path from his birthplace to the island of Antigua, where he grew up. The EP serves as an emotional reflection on his voyage, filled with personal revelations and introspective moments that resonate with anyone who has ever felt a sense of disconnection or longing for home.

The title track, “Way Back Home,” encapsulates the feeling of isolation and the emotional weight of Joshu’s journey. Its haunting melody and tender vocals draw the listener into his personal reflections on belonging, and what it means to find peace in one’s place. As Joshu sailed across the vast ocean, he questioned his identity as a second-generation white man in the Caribbean, pondering the concept of home and how we form connections to the places that shape us.

Over the course of five deeply reflective tracks, Joshu delves into themes of identity and place, all while challenging the notion of home as a static concept. His vulnerable lyrics invite the listener to ponder the same questions: is home where you’re born, or where you’re raised? How do we cultivate a sense of belonging in a land that may never fully feel like home? The EP, though deeply personal, is a universal meditation on human connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

Written and self-produced in the intimate surroundings of Antigua, Way Back Home, showcases Joshu’s growth as an artist. His delicate vocals are supported by lush, minimalistic arrangements, creating a warm, introspective atmosphere. The production highlights his ability to blend folk sensibilities with subtle Caribbean influences, crafting a sound that is uniquely his own. As both a producer and songwriter, Joshu’s skillful handling of mood and emotion shines through, making this EP a poignant and captivating listen.

Yet, Way Back Home, is more than a personal exploration; it’s a reflection on the broader human experience. Through his delicate storytelling and heartfelt music, Joshu explores the universal longing for connection and the quiet grief that comes with feeling displaced. In a world where so many of us feel disconnected from the places and people that define us, Way Back Home, is a beautiful reminder of the power of music to heal and reconnect.