Vera Blue, the stage name of singer-songwriter Celia Pavey, is set to release her third album, Modern Rituals, on August 21.
The album marks a significant shift in Celia’s approach to music and her identity as an artist. For years, Celia had maintained a distinction between her persona as Vera Blue and her real-life self.
However, during the creation of Modern Rituals, she came to realize that these two identities were not separate entities. The album’s title refers to the emotional patterns that humans repeat.
Celia aimed to explore this theme through her music. The opening track, “Rituals,” sets the tone for the album, which Celia describes as a reflection of the different versions of herself that make her who she is.
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Celia collaborated with Grammy-nominated producer Lachlan Bostock on “Rituals,” and the song has become a cornerstone of the album. She explains that the song sums up the entire album, which is about accepting the various aspects of her personality.
Celia’s newfound understanding of her identity has allowed her to be more honest in her songwriting. She points to the song “In The Corner” as an example, where she nearly softened a lyric but ultimately decided to keep it raw and truthful.
This honesty extends to her exploration of mental health, a topic she previously avoided discussing openly. Celia notes that Modern Rituals is not about presenting a perfect image or reaching a fixed point, but rather about adopting the journey and its uncertainties.
Sonically, the album marks a departure from her previous work, with Celia experimenting with a range of writers and producers across LA and Australia. She cites influences such as Enya, Madonna, and Björk, who are known for their vocal freedom and experimentation.
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Celia’s approach to music is deeply visual, with her thinking in terms of scenes and images. She aims to create sounds that evoke strong emotions and reactions, much like a jump scare in a film.
Throughout the writing process, Celia found comfort and inspiration in her daily life, including her relationship with her sausage dog, Texas, and her travels with her husband. She frames these everyday experiences as rituals, emphasizing the importance of adopting the world and being brave.
As Celia prepares to release Modern Rituals and embark on her accompanying tour, she has undergone a significant transformation as an artist. Her newfound honesty and vulnerability have resulted in an album that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
