We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Veronica Grim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Veronica , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

It’s difficult to limit myself to a particular record I’ve made or song I’ve written – rather, I think the most meaningful project of my life has been my band as an evolving organism and labor of love.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of playing with many different talented musicians from many different backgrounds. I believe the Universe puts the right people into your orbit at the right time, and this has been true with having the right bandmates in place for the right songs and albums and eras in my life. Because my bandmates have all come from different musical backgrounds and life experiences – some specializing in punk, metal, jazz, blues, Americana, Country or various genres of rock and pop – I have had the pleasure of seeing songs I’ve written evolve into unexpected, unique, unforgettable pieces of art. I’ve also had the pleasure of collaborating with a lot of killer songwriters, outside of my band, and that is a wonderful way to keep your mind sharp and challenge yourself as a writer.

One of the greatest challenges I’ve faced, however, was keeping the momentum of the band moving forward when a member has to bow out or the style and location and lineup has to evolve. You have to really WANT to play shows and create music to pull it off, people aren’t just going to do the work for you – and if they did it wouldn’t mean as much. So when it feels like you have to start all over again with someone new, it’s important to remind yourself why you love doing what you do and view it as an opportunity to discover a new facet to your work and experience and not a negative thing.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The most public aspect of my life is my work as a singer/songwriter/musician. I play rhythm guitar and sing in my band. I also sometimes teach Yoga at Sage Yoga Hot in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, write poetry and aspire to write a great novel some day.

I have played in the bands Switchblade Syndicate, Veronica Grim & The Heavy Hearts as well as my current band simply dubbed Veronica Grim. I also love to do the occasional solo acoustic performance and a duo set with my brother and lead guitarist, Daniel Espinoza. I have recorded four studio records with my bands, which are available on all streaming platforms. Our most recent work, “Summer Goth” is an EP enfused with high-energy pop punk and emo vibes and introspective and socially inquisitive themes.

My band I are working on new songs as our current bassist, John Campbell exits the band to spend more time with family. My bandmates Daniel Espinoza (Lead Guitar), Dick Gross (Guitar/Bass) and Nate Hickey (Percussion) are looking to add a new member to our musical family and refresh our set with new material we have all been working on in the background for years. We also plan to collaborate on totally new material as well.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me the most rewarding part of the creative experience is when I meet a fan/friend/anyone who feels a real connection with my music. Hearing that something I wrote inspired someone to be themselves or have more confidence is amazingly gratifying. Hearing that one of my songs helped some to heal or feel seen when they were hurting – or made them feel less alone – that’s the Gold Standard of moments to me. Music is this universal language that has such powerful potential to connect us. Leaving a chronicle of my human experience and knowing it could influence or help someone else enjoy life more is the whole point. For me, success is defined by that ability to connect and leave a legacy.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I think what a lot of people who are not actively “creatives” forget is that creatives are human. It’s really easy to criticize and tear people down. It’s easy to critique from the safety of a keyboard or the shadows off-stage. When you perform a song you composed, do a dance or sequence you put together, allow people to read poetry or prose you poured your heart into – it exposes everything you are. You make yourself vulnerable in exchange for the chance to connect and express yourself. Sometimes folks say or do really inconsiderate or cruel or thoughtless things because they see you as an archetype, or cartoon or some kind of fictional character apart from who you are in life. They’ll comment on your body, your clothes, any aspect of you and your life and work like you can’t feel a thing. I’m all for freedom of speech and being constructive and honest – but there are kind and thoughtful ways to embody and enact those things. Respect how much energy and bravery and hard work it takes to share something you’ve created and be decent, be respectful.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicagrimofficial?igsh=MWl6Y3B4N2Y2emt0cQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veronicagrimofficial?
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@veronicagrimofficial?si=xADBuHPpDaIGLLaH

Image Credits

Photos by Scott Preston, JWB Imagery and Friends of Veronica Grim