On one of the warmest days the District has scene, Kelsey Byrne sat on the DC9 rooftop preparing for the opening show of her first headlining tour. The young synth pop singer has exploded in the past few months since I first heard her at CMJ’s Music Marathon. Now she’s billed for major festivals like SXSW and Firefly.
Get to know Vérité and her sweet, blissful pop.
How would you describe your style?
Someone else described it this way and it’s my favorite description. “Melancholic alternative pop.†I think it’s a solid description. But you can’t quote me to that, that was someone on the Internet.
What has been your favorite show that you performed at?
The first one that we played is just the most special. Tonight will probably be really special to me to because it’s the beginning of this tour. But the first show we ever played at the Westway was the first show, the first sold out show. We were in these marathon rehearsals leading up to it so there was so much energy and tension so I think definitely that.
What about the best show you ever saw?
When I was 16, I saw Beirutin Central Park’s summer stage and it changed my life. It’s funny because I don’t write or play music in a similar style but it definitely just changed my perception of what’s possible.
You just dropped a new single, “Wastelandâ€. Can you tell me more about what you’ve been working on?
Now I have EP 2 written, ready to go. It’ll be coming out in the next few months. Right now I’m focusing on the tours and writing new material. I don’t know when a full length will be in the works but right now it’s just these pieces and I’m hoping to fit them all together in the next few months. It allows people to really digest it better. I think as a new artist, to drop so much new material on people, it’s impossible for people to get super into it. And the hope is that people want more.
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Are you planning to test out on tour? Are you planning anything different for SXSW?
New material, lots of new material that no one’s ever heard. And I’m DJing a set. I absolutely did not foresee that. They just asked me so I said sure, why not. Learning has been an adventure. It’s kind of more simple. There’s definitely this intricate set up I won’t be using but I’m just interested in curating a set of music. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself.
What acts/showcases do you hope to catch at SXSW?
So many. Run The Jewels at Spotify House, Ibeyi —  I’m obsessed with that album — , Mitski, she’s phenomenal. I made a whole playlist of it.
Are there any artists you hope to work with at SXSW? Or any artists in general you’d like to collaborate with?
Absolutely. I definitely want to work with Childish Gambino, SOHN, Ben Gibbard is always the dream. Other than that I feel like those relationships always come together very naturally. You could love someone’s work but hate working with them so I try not to put too much foresight into that sort of stuff and just let it happen naturally.
Where would you like to see your year headed?
I operate on low expectations. For me, I’m happy being here now doing all this. I feel like if I keep working really hard that it’s just going to unfold the way it will. If I think about it, I’ll literally drive myself insane.
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Do you have any/want any tattoos?
I have 2, I want  a shitload more. I’m waiting strategically for the right time, if I have the right time, I’m just going to get a whole bunch at once. I want to get my whole arm done eventually.
What would be your safeword in bed?
Oh, wait I have one. It would be “keep doing thatâ€. Why not?
OK, last question: what would be in a Vérité inspired pint of Ben & Jerry’s?
Oh god, everything. It would have to be coconut milk ice cream, cookie dough, brownie, heath bar, caramel, salted caramel. Literally everything. Kind of more shit than ice cream, but I think it’s the logical way to go. The good thing about coconut and soy ice cream is they feel so bad that it’s not real ice cream so they put so much cookie dough in it and it makes it worthwhile. Soy ice cream is so delicious.
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Catch Vérité throughout SXSW:
March 19 -Â I Am Sound/ Austin Party Weekend
March 20 – BMI Brunch @ The Four Seasons
March 21 – Beautiful Buzz x Vitalic Noise @ The Brew Exchange
March 21 – Â Neon Gold Showcase @ Empire Control Room