Not many people can earnestly say, “I learned from Jack Black,” but singer-songwriter Veronica Verdin ‘15, did not hesitate to admit how she learned to play guitar.
Inspired by Black’s “School of Rock,” Verdin and her best friend at the time decided to form a band and perform in their 5th grade talent show.
Neither of them knew how to play an instrument, but Verdin stumbled upon a long-forgotten guitar her mother had used in a 1960s introductory guitar class.
She made a habit of sitting in front of the TV studying “School of Rock,” pressing pause whenever Black was shown playing guitar so she could imitate the chords he played. She has been playing guitar ever since.
Despite her breakthrough performance in 5th grade, Verdin did not consider herself a performer until arriving at Bowdoin.
It was here, she says, that she became comfortable playing to a crowd. Verdin is now enthusiastically involved in the campus music scene and an active member of the Bowdoin Music Collective. She has played acoustic sets at many campus events, including the BMC Annual Showcase and Greenstock. She also single-handedly organizes the BMC’s Unplugged, which features student acoustic performances at the café in Smith Union every Sunday night.
Verdin’s on-campus performance skills do not paint a comprehensive picture of her musicianship; she is also a talented lyricist and says she began writing for the same reasons that most closet songwriters do: “middle school angst.”
In her consoling vocals, melodic guitar playing, and captivating lyrics, one can easily discern the influences of St. Vincent, Bob Dylan, Cat Power and Feist in her music.
This summer, Verdin got a first-hand glimpse of the underground music scene in Los Angeles, gaining exposure to the city’s obscure genres and venues. She worked as a music-marketing and promotion intern at A Man, A Plan, A Canal, where she primarily helped promote college radio stations but also got to work with clients such as the Black Keys and Bjork. w
She says she occasionally helped book studio radio sessions and wrote music reviews for the music-marketing company. As a result of this internship, Verdin got a firsthand glimpse of the underground Los Angeles music scene, gaining exposure to the city’s obscure genres and venues.
Verdin says that her ultimate goal is to open for large national acts. Keep your ears open. This girl can sing.