Check Out Veronica Witkin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Witkin.

Hi Veronica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Veronica “V” Witkin, Im a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in The Valley.

I grew up in and around the LA music scene. My dad Bruce Witkin is a Grammy nominated producer and my mom Suzanne is a visual artist.

I started playing guitar and bass when I was 12 and started my first punk band pretty much right away.
I spent almost 10 years as the guitarist and primary songwriter for the LA based all female glam punk band Glam Skanks. We toured all over the world playing with artists like Adam Ant, Alice Cooper and Cherie Currie and over the years I’ve had the honor of sharing the stage with some of my heroes like Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith.

I recently released my debut solo album “Things I Might’ve Said” under my artist name WITKIN. All the songs were written by me and I played guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion and drum programing. It was produced with my dad in his studio “Unison Music Studios”

I’m releasing a music video for each song and currently have 4 out right now. Most of them have been filmed and edited by me and my friends.

The album was influenced by power pop and pop rock ranging from the 60’s through to the 90’s mixed with some modern influences.

Everything I do is fully diy even the outfits I wear on stage.

Im also heavily inspired by cinema and cult classics from the 70’s.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I was part of an all girl band Glam Skanks that I had started when I was really young. I spent pretty much my whole 20’s part of a girl gang. Over the years different members quit and after the pandemic hit all of our tours got canceled and the band broke up.
I went through a pretty big depression afterwards and had a hard time figuring out who I was outside of the band. I ended up taking some time to work on my mental health and wrote my album in the process.

Since I’ve started this new project it’s been hard getting back to where I was with my old band. The pandemic changed a lot for small bands. Live shows don’t make much money and streaming and AI are actively killing the music industry so its been hard trying to find footing in this new era of making and releasing music.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been playing music for over 20 years. Im insanely fortunate to have grown up with a dad who is a producer with a professional recording studio. Because of him I became interested in music and production at a young age and was able to learn a lot early on.

I also grew up with my mom being a professional photographer so I was also able to learn things like photo and video editing at a young age.

Because of both of my parents Im able to produce most of my own content and since I’m able to produce all of my work I’m able to have complete control over my music which I think is super important for artists.

I will always be super proud of my time spent in Glam Skanks. Something I built with my best friends was able to take me all over the world playing iconic venues with some of my idols. Hearing the crowd screaming back a song you wrote is really an indescribable feeling.

Now I’m just really proud of my debut album “Things I Might’ve Said” it took over 2 years of work way more years if I’m talking about emotional work. I put every thing I learned from being in Glam Skanks. Everything I had wanted to do that I couldn’t in a band setting. It’s the first time in my 20 years of making music and of all the albums I’ve made where I really feel like I made an album that represents me as an artist. Playing instruments I had never played, programing beats and having only my expectations to live up to was such a new experience for me and I love the fact that this album will always be a time capsule of this era in my life.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Honestly the industry has changed so much since I was starting out I think the only advice that has remained constant is don’t even bother trying but thats such a sad and cynical approach to something that should be done from the heart.

The best advice I ever got from my dad that I will always pass on is do it for the love of creating music. Not for money or fame. If you’re in it for money and fame you’ll be disappointed but if you do it for the genuine love you’ll at least be happy with the music.

Obviously a livable wage would be nice so when it comes to trying to balance making money with making art is find a job and don’t force the music to make you money. In the end you’re better off hating and resenting some shitty 9-5 than hating and resenting music because you’re only trying to survive.

And the biggest piece of advice. Be cool to everyone you meet and everyone you’re working with. We all need each other to make this work. The artist needs the fans and the sound crew, and the community of other bands to move forward. It doesn’t matter if you’re talented if you treat other people in the industry like garbage.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://witkinmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/witkin_music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Witkinmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@V_witkin_Music

Image Credits
All of the photos were taken by Suzanne Allison