Today we’d like to introduce you to V.C.R.
V.C.R, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born Veronica Camille Ratliff in Memphis, TN to a southern Pentecostal preacher and Harvard graduate mother. The earliest memories of my childhood were long walks to see our local symphonies play or art gallery openings with my mother and little brother who was in a stroller at the time.
My parents knew that I was gifted, so they made sure to completely submerge me in music and art, putting me in piano, violin, and keeping in the choir (sometimes against my will) beginning at age five. The seeds were sown and I continued with music throughout my collegiate years, playing in symphonies, managing artists, and learning about the music business. At the time I was way too nervous to take the stage myself so I worked in the background dreaming of one day working up the courage to sing and make music.
Soon the urge became too much and I began making my own music. Little did I know that with a little courage I would end up where I am now. So when people ask about my unique story, I have to explain how fear and low self-esteem almost derailed my whole career. That’s why I make music now. Self-love has been my biggest obstacle but also my biggest teacher.
Present day, I am a touring recording artist, violinist, writer, activist influencer, and designer. I intend on continuing my music career and affecting change in our world. My goal isn’t and will never be to get awards and plaques. I want to inspire young girls like me who never felt good enough, pretty enough, or like their goals were too big to reach. I want little black girls with big gifts and big dreams to know that they are valid and with “smart” work they can accomplish every single one. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My artwork is almost always about some experience that I am healing. Because I’ve been through a lot of traumatic situations in my life, I use music to heal them. It’s my therapy of some sorts. Some of my songs take a funny approach of talking about past hurts and my passive-aggressive tendencies while some of my songs face my traumas head on like domestic violence, depression, and unrequited love.
Living by my saying, “authenticity is king and intention is everything”, I make sure to give the listener an audiovisual experience that they will feel in there soul.
Coining the term “Cosmic Soul” I combine jazz, funk, and soul with vulnerable folk singer-songwriter lyrics and orchestral instrumentation. As a little girl, I fell in love with radio soap opera’s so I make sure all my music has an audio-visual quality where the listener can see the sounds in there head.
Most of the songs, if not all are produced with live instrumentation and the vocals and ambient sound effects are arranged by myself. I love creating with family or “framily” so everything I do is done in-house.
I pray every single person that hears my music leaves feeling seen and heard. I want them to enjoy every single drop and feel healed in return. My music is how I’m healing myself and I hope to transmute that same energy to the listener. Its created from the heart.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
It’s its interesting because I believe we are in the best of times and the worst of times. As a creative, technological advances have made it so easy to build a fan base and have a steady influential career. Even though this is true, the market is extremely saturated (add) so artist may feel pressured to compromise their art for personal gain. The remedy for this is tunnel vision, a concept I am still learning if I must say. Cities like ours especially can help artist by creating more state-funded grants that help with housing, food, etc,.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have a SoundCloud page and YouTube page and people can support my work by coming to my shows, streaming my music, or telling a friend. You can find me on social media at @Vthemartian across the board. I love giving virtual hugs.
Contact Info:
- Music: https://soundcloud.com/vthemartian
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vthemartian
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vthemartian
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vthemartian
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/UeTETH-miu0
Image Credit:
Laura Cortec @cortecchialaura on instragram
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
