Episode Transcript
Okay, welcome, welcome everyone. This is Alexandria and I'm recording today with my delightful guest, Verity Pabla. And we are going to be discussing today the beautiful inner journey she's been on and the outer manifestations in her life. And if I can give you a little bit of an introduction about Verity.
Gosh, wow. She is one talented lady. She is a singer, songwriter and international creative and her company is I AMnotamachine.com. And now as she's moved through all of the beautiful audio experiences in her life, she's moved into executive recording, producing and now her latest incarnation is a voice over company and a voice talent agency.
So, gosh, wow, you've got some pretty big clients there, haven't you? Some major brands. So we've got Fortnite, we've got Heineken and you've also been featured in Rolling Stone and most recently I understand that you have been winning Cleo Awards in the US and multiple awards at the Lions Cannes Awards. So I think we can safely say, Verity, you are very talented in the voice talent field.
So talk to me, so I'm going to go on this inner journey exploration today with my questions.
What is your inner journey experience? Do you listen to your intuition? Do you feel that you've got a constant dialogue going? Do you like to meditate? Do you like to walk in nature?
How do you feel about connecting inwardly?
Verity: Thank you, Alexandria. I really appreciate that intro. That was very lovely.
Yeah, I, I do, I feel, I mean I've heard this term recently, spiritual, creative, intuitive. And that's something that I really resonate with. I think that my intuition has always been very strong. I'm very sensitive person and I do have a meditation practice. I, I would say at this stage it's not especially regular but at the same time every day there's always some kind of check in with, with myself. I feel that with so much noise that happens on the outside, social issues, political stuff, personal things too, of course it's more fundamental than ever to be able to tap into oneself. So I enjoy going out for, for walks. I do actually really love being with my dog and going for walks with her because I find that if I just leave the phone at home that me that chance to I suppose connect with this little thing that is very unconditional but also very driven by her own kind of instincts. And I, I feel like I learn a lot from her. But definitely I, I enjoy to be out in nature and to be around trees and, and just to have some time where it's balanced between being so busy around so many people. In the, in the weekdays I'm, I'm generally around quite a lot of people and I'd say there's probably not a day that goes by that I don't meet someone new actually. Then at the weekends, typically it's almost that time to just replenish my energy. So having time to be quiet, to do some tarot, to meditate, to write, I'm finding that tapping into journal prompts and responding to those is, is actually quite helpful for me at this stage.
Alexandria: Excellent, excellent. All really important techniques in my opinion. And very important life tools really, because you can always fall back on those, can't you? To focus your inner energy flow,
Verity: Yeah.
Alexandria: Connection and also to hear yourself. And I think that's one that like you've said, when you're surrounded by a lot of people in a people industry, it can really feel like people are talking at you a lot or as a promoter in yourself or representing people. Obviously you've got to constantly talk about other people's assets and how they're going to fit with the product matches.
Verity: Yeah, that's right. And I think that whilst I'm very sensitive and aware of other people's needs, I've come to realize that it's important for me to look at my own needs. And actually I tap into astrology a lot more now than I ever have. Understanding what's happening on a daily basis feels quite important for me.
Alexandria: Okay. So talking about astrology I happen to know because Verity has been a client and a long term friend of mine and I am quite interested as to how a Cancerian can get up on a stage and sing your heart out like you did in your early career and perform and write and record.
Didn't you feel a little bit nervous?
Verity: Oh yeah, for sure. I, I mean I've got a background in theater before music so I think that that helped to develop that confidence. But at the same time I'm a triple water as you've told me and I feel like it's my part of my mission really to express in, in some way shape or form and I have this depth of emotion that I suppose partly comes out in something like music, but. Yeah, nervous. Nervous for sure. I mean I've always been nervous even going up to, you know, to talk in front of other people when it's not expressing myself in a musical way.
There's still a form of expression there when you're doing a, say a public talk.
But I, I think one thing that shifted for Me was I remember going to a meeting in Soho with a company that I really wanted to work with and I had thought about something that Marianne Williamson had spoken about which is when you go into a situation, when you go into a room, go not thinking about or, or you know, yearning for what you want, but go in with the energy of how can I spread my light and, and what, what. How can I be open to whatever the situation needs rather than projecting onto it? And I think from that point on and going into that particular meeting with that mindset which was then actually very successful, it was a really successful meeting and I still have that partnership to this day with the music company that I, I was meeting.
I try to be consciously aware of that. So bring that into every situation.
Of course, you know, we're human, right? We want, we want to gain things from situations from, from people. But at the same time there's definitely more of a richness. When I go into a situation, I feel less nervous. When I go into a situation where I just feel like I'm meant to be here for a reason and let me just be open to that, let me just be who I am and, and, and it will, it will unfold as it's meant to.
Alexandria: Excellent. Okay. Well I think obviously that is a big reflection in my work of the Cancerian because you're being community inclusive and like you're saying every creative exploit, every expedition into the unknown, is basically a collaboration, a co-creation, isn't it? And so for you, if you can remain open to the purpose as well as the people, then it's just a win win situation.
And like you're saying, I think it's important for people to understand that our world has skewed to some degree into you know, a bit of a me, me, me land and what have I got to offer. But then yeah, also it's about saying how can I be of service perhaps? That doesn't mean servitude, it means as I said, collaboration or looking at, you know, how this can become a beautiful co-creation. Yeah, wonderful. Okay, well I'm going to hit you up again. Your initial journey with performing. What would you say was your initiation moment? What was the moment where you had to chunk through what I call in my work that life alchemy. You know, you're recycling the fear and you're going to channel it into your creativity. So the fueling of a breakthrough, an initiation.
Verity: I think there were quite a few moments actually which I can recall, but I, I would probably say because I'd been historically quite shy and drama or theater was my thing when I met people who were doing music that it really excited me, it really interested me. But there was an element there of. I suppose nowadays it'd be called 'imposter syndrome.'
Well, I wasn't trained in music. I don't really know anything about music. When I did music stuff at school, I was not particularly great at that.
So I think that there, there was a definite feeling there of getting over that. And even when I left my theater career and decided to just full time go into music, there were moments where I would say to people what I did, oh, I'm a musician, I'm a singer songwriter.
And there was a definite sense of having to, yeah, take a deep breath I think, before saying that and, and, and get to the point where actually I could say the more that I said it, the more that I then believed it. And, and I think that was a huge thing because it's almost like you've got to get over that, that bit where you go, oh, I'm not really meant to be in this space here where people are listening to my music or I'm connecting with bandmates who become producers who produce me in their studios, or I'm actually the one getting booked onto a, a main stage or having a residency.
I think that that was a huge thing for me to move through and to get over so that then I could look at all those opportunities and go, yeah, I am absolutely meant to be in this space. This is, this is the right place for me to be in, for me to share what I've got to give through music through original songwriting and, and you know, what my voice is to a certain set of people.
And, and again, it comes back to what you just said, which is it's about being, being of, of service really. So I think that's always been the, the through line, but certainly, and I guess this maybe is a reflection of being younger and, and being in those beginning stages, but it's that sense of, no, this is a space for me to be in.
I don't have to, and there's nothing wrong with, but I don't have to go and work back at a coffee shop or a bookst saying as a theater performer, actually, if this feels like the right next step, let's just step fully into this by taking all those very small steps to living that experience as a singer songwriter. And eventually I went on to have a couple of managers in, over in Los Angeles and you know, a really nice fan base and various Other things that I could speak about which were further along in my career as a singer songwriter, but I now know, and I can reflect, and I do reflect upon this, this with other creatives, that you don't necessarily know where those small steps are going to take you, but you've just got to take those steps.
Excellent. Okay, so we could say, really, that you were crushing the inner critic, then. With the making of you, I talk relentlessly, as everyone who comes to the episodes will know about the heart, mind alignment. And I say to people, for me, mind isn't universal. Mind, like Buddhism, mind is literally, how are we going to ground this? What's the plan? What's the sketch? What's the backup, practically?
Verity: Yeah.
Alexandria: But as you're talking about, you've got to be in your heart, you've got to believe that you are, you know, meant to be there in the sense of aligned there. And it's almost like a little mini you who, like you said, has the label of singer or performer or resident musician, you need to be able to say to yourself, I hold you in my heart, and I believe in that person, that aspect of myself, I think.
Verity: I think one of the challenges, one of the hardest parts for me has been not so much that actually, even though that was challenging in some ways to be able to say, oh, this is who I am, this is what I do.
But actually it's the grounding of it. All the practical elements, because I believe that I don't really have much in the way of Earth in my. In my chart.
So being made aware of that through actually having a birth chart with you back when, that really helped me, because I think in the back of my mind, I always had that there. Like, it's really important for me to try and ground myself, to try and be grounded in my activities, because it's very easy for me to just kind of float off into my head and, you know, be sort of pie in the sky about things.
So, yeah, that. That was something that. That's something else I probably would reflect upon from back then. I find it much easier now because I'm aware that I need that in other people. I. I need the contrast, you know, I need. I need people who are more fiery or more earthy to sort of help me to ground what. What I've got to give, what I've got to offer.
Alexandria: Excellent. Okay. Well, I mean, you've got, like a ton of willpower there, and A ton of creative talent. So that is seriously not in short supply that in all of the creative industries people will talk about the importance of groundedness. I've got an episode on that coming up. And not because groundedness means obligations, burdens, but actually, as you're saying, it's a way to focus your talent and to be able to show not only what you're capable of doing, but to receive, of course, the prosperity and value of what you're creating, but also to share, like you're saying, in a collective purpose.
Excellent. Alrighty. Well, what do you think a Cancerian musician has that allows them to be away from home so much! Like you've spoken about when you were living in LA, but you were sort of always UK based, right. And then one point you were in New Zealand, and also you've been to Prague, Czech Republican and I'm sure there's a lot of the locations I don't know about.
So how did you cope with sort of not having your nest?
Verity: I recall at one stage thinking about how a couple of my best friends had taken that journey of getting out of their comfort zone. So one of my first friends who I lived with, first person that I lived with was a guy from France and then a best friend during university was a woman from Germany.
And I, I used to go and connect with them, hang out with them in France and Germany. Right. But at the same time I was still there in my comfort zone of, of Coventry in the UK.
And I remember thinking about them and about how that can't have been easy for them to have moved out of their comfort zone. But actually the richness that they both brought me was amazing and very. There were very rich experiences that I had and being able to experience their cultures as well. So whenever I'd go, of course I'd go and stay in their family homes and eat their foods and be, be immersed in the culture and I really enjoyed that. And even before then, I, I think I've always sort of had this sense of adventure or I want to, I want to know more and I want to, I want to know more types of people and to experience different places. So I'm not sure which part of my birth chart that there's. There's certainly an element within me that, or aspect within me that says be open and sort of reach out. So even though I do, I mean, I like routine, I like consistency and I like. I'm very minimal as well when it comes. I'm a minimalist when it comes to home environment. So I can get a bit stressed when it comes to like, too much stuff or untidiness and these kinds of things. So of course when you're in other environments, you don't know what you're going to happen upon. But I think from an early stage of going to. I did a cultural exchange when I was 15 to Rome.
I went to Jordan also when I was 15, 16 for a month.
Yeah, I had experiences there that helped me to get out of that comfort zone, I think, quite early on.
But I think it was that sense of adventure, really. That sense of wanting to connect with more people and to experience different environments that. That helped me to almost get over the. The Cancerian homely bit of me that it wants to. To stay in her shell.
So, yeah, I mean, I quite like that. Anyway, it's sort of a cute. It's a cute thought, is it really, of being this, this crab who's like a little bit scared to kind of go out because it's like, oh, this is cozy and comfy in here. But actually if that crab does, then they can experience so many different things in there. And I guess that's, that's. That's how I've sort of seen myself, is that, yeah, I could stay in the coziness, but actually something in me just knows that there's a. There's a richness to experiencing different cultures, different people, different environments. I mean, the first place of those places you mentioned that I went to to live was New Zealand, which literally I couldn't have gone any further from my home.
Alexandria : Absolutely.
Verity: But there was a sense of calling there, I think. And that comes back to intuition and listening to that intuition and knowing that actually I would have stagnated had I not moved to Auckland.
I wouldn't have. I just knew that I couldn't grow any more where I was and around the people that I was around, even though I loved those people.
You know, I had my band at the time and we were playing quite a lot and I was recording heaps.
I released, I think in the year that I moved to New Zealand. I released probably a couple of albums, an EP and a single.
Alexandria: Wow, that's productive.
Verity: Very productive. But maybe it was to some degree fueled by this. This knowing and this desire to go to a foreign land.
Alexandria: So you were kind of show grandstanding, showcasing things.
Verity: Yeah.
Alexandria: And then all of a sudden it was like, I'm going to have that momentum build.
Verity: Yes.
Alexandria: To leap to the other side literally in the World, right. Well, New Zealand has very strong Aquarian energy, as we know its national identity, also Cancerian energy. It is in the Pacific, so we couldn't get more beautiful water energy.
Now, for all our younger listeners on, on the making of you, of course age is relative, but what would you say. I talk a lot on the Mastery Project about your inner assets. What would you say are the inner assets that you relied upon as a Cancerian to bust out from any degree of stagnancy or comfort zoning, if I may observe? I mean, clearly you've got a huge amount of faith and trust in the universal flow. Like opportunities will come.
Verity: Oh yeah, yeah, for sure. It's funny because. So I'm, I'm 43 now, but I think that you have realizations constantly. And I think one of my realizations recently is, is exactly that. Just how much I do trust in the universe to provide.
And, and, and I think that different experiences along the way have just helped to solidify that. That faith and that belief.
I think I just, I've always had a really strong sense of destiny, if you like. I don't use that word often, but I've.
If I go back to being at school, for example, I was always interested to debate. I was always interested in different ideas and, and I fee. I feel as though that there's always been this sense in me of there's something greater, I guess, out there, but also inside. And, and that, that's, that's fundamentally what I believe. There is the, the external is the internal. So I'm, I'm always kind of looking, okay, what's going on out there? What is. How is it a reflection of what's going on inside of me? And there's this constant back and for conversation in a way that's happening. And yes, some people might call that just intuition, but I think it's deeper than that. I think it's more multifaceted than that.
Yes, I can say I'm, you know, spiritual and I believe in the powers of the universe and source to guide me and, and, you know, guides and angels and, and so on. But I think ultimately there's. There's just that something within me that. Yeah, there's a drive toward.
I was looking at. I did an exercise around core values and actually, you know, my core values are around independence, freedom, creativity, kindness.
And I think with those being my drivers, that's helped to propel me and push me forward, if you like.
Alexandria: Right, Excellent. Okay.
So for moving forward, we've talked about some of the countries. I didn't know about those, but you've got obviously a lot. Verity, where would you like to go? You haven't been yet.
Verity: I'd love to go to Japan.
I'm not. I wouldn't say to live because actually these are the places that I've been. I've been to live. I've. I lived in New Zealand, I lived in Los Angeles, I lived in Oslo and Prague.
But I think I'd love to go to Japan to experience that culture and, and it's probably the only place that I would say that I'm genuinely drawn to going as, as a visitor.
But I, I think. I think that, yeah, it's, it's a. It's an amazing world really. And at this stage I'm actually quite.
I'm quite happy with. With where I'm at. You know, I'm back in. In the middle of England, but a slightly different place from where I was born, which ticks a lot of boxes. But New Zealand still has a big pull for me and maybe this goes back to it being very, you know, Cancerian energy and very beautiful.
I feel balance that I've mentioned before of, of busyness and ambition and, and success and achievement combined with the quiet and the still and not being super proactive, that. That fits well for me.
And I think that, you know, certain places in New Zealand really have that nice balance where you can feel ambitious and like you're doing work that's international and it's really fun, it's enjoyable. But there's also that sense of. Of balance and calm. What I also liked about Oslo, really, you know, the Norwegians have. Have quite an interesting balance between work and play, if you like.
Alexandria: Yeah, yeah. And Oslo, of course, the Norwegians, fantastic sense of humor.
Bit like the old practical jokes as well. And that's the Sagitarrius Moon in their national identity.
Another place like New Zealand that likes to bungee jump and likes to do extreme sports. I think going back to what you're saying, perhaps your draw is part of your sentience at the moment with New Zealand still, because we've got Pluto having moved into Aquarius and New Zealand has a strong Aquarius energy and element about it. And so it's sort of the powerhouse now of rebirth, of expansion and of literally, you know, 'life Jim, but not as we know it.' So stepping beyond, as we said, comfort zones and stagnation or the little life lane that we think we are conditioned to be in.
So I'm. I'm excited for you to visit. I'm in the UK at the moment, but I'm going to be in New Zealand in late October. So I'm looking forward to reconnecting now with this full aspect of Pluto in Aquarius, plus Uranus in Gemini as well, which is a big trine of air hanging around there. So a lot of innovation, a lot of movement forward.
I'd love to see you in New Zealand.
Verity: Had time and one thing to say about that is again, it's people crossing your path at the time where I think you really need it. And for sure you crossed my path at a point where I really needed it and obviously continue to need it because I think that people stay in your life for that reason.
But one thing that I recall early on I became aware of was astro cartography, which I didn't know anything about previously. But more and more through speaking to you, coming to an understanding of how the energy in different places has an impact upon us as individuals depend upon where our charts lie. And for that I'm really grateful. And also I still find it really fascinating how it is that you can locate yourself somewhere differently on the planet and maybe culturally, it might not even be hugely culturally, that different, potentially same language, New Zealand to drive on the same side of the road as the uk, for example, but there, there is, there's so much more in the energy that makes a difference to us as individuals and how we can exist and also to grow and.
Alexandria: Beautiful points you're making. I personally believe in national identity, astrology as well as astrocartography, a huge combination there.
And also, as we know, the planets in the sky are really just, they're a big mix of party, aren't they? And we're all just going around that party meeting at different, you know, at different times in our lives and in different combinations, ease, flow, crisis, breakthrough, whatever it may be.
And those countries ground that energy too. So they sort of gift us, as I said, New Zealand gifts you Pluto at the moment, where as England was gifting Pluto previously. And we saw that with all the upheaval of the. The Brexit aspects and the clamoring in a lot of ways for national identity, but also for a degree, I personally believe, of sovereignty, of that heart and mind actually aligning really well. Yeah, okay, so that's just what happened in your inner authority when you went, right, I'm gonna step back from the stage and ask how did you move more into production and then moving into what you now do with the voice talent and production of your voice talent?
Verity: I'd had these couple of managers that I'd mentioned in Los Angeles for my own career and then I found myself back in the UK and I'd been in New Zealand. I'd been over in Melbourn actually for a little while and also in LA.
And something inside of me was saying, you need to step up to the next level now. And yes, of course I loved making music, recording, performing live, but there was a part of me that just knew that actually to help represent other people, other music artists as well as myself, and to create a brand of sorts of was the important next stage.
Again, similar to when I moved to New Zealand.
I felt like I needed to make a change so I could have stayed in the same lane, but for me to be able to grow, I had to go.
And in a way for me to grow and to get to that next stage, not just in terms of career and how that looks on the outside, but I think me as a. As a. As a person and yeah, just different aspects of myself.
I needed to make that change. I needed to say, actually I'm not just going to continue playing some gigs and seeing how many more fans I can get listening to my music, but let's see what I can do if I actually create a brand and bring other people into the fold.
Alexandria: Right. Okay. Excellent. So again, another sort of nod to community then. Yeah, as well. So being on both sides of the fence, not only performing, but also looking at other people in, the quality of what they're representing.
Verity: Yeah, I mean, I'm naturally very organized and I think what I found frustrating, but frustrating from a perspective of, oh, gosh, I really. I love this person's music and this person's voice is fantastic. And I can, I can see how that person can get into the studio and get recording their single and get it out there, but they didn't necessarily seem to have the qualities or the abilities to do that.
It just seemed to make sense for me that I utilize that, I suppose, gift or ability to be able to be organized and to make. Make stuff happen to help support them.
But yeah, not. Not in a. Not in a sort of charitable way for sure. You know, it's very much. It's a business, but at the same time it. Yeah. That there's. There's community there. And I think that I've always found in any case, like, you know, friends are my family and.
And then there's an extension of that, you know, that creative community also Forms part of my family.
Alexandria: Right. So what do you think when people talk to me about sacrifice, Right. I say, oh, I think that's a very misunderstood concept. But I'm just going to ask you first, what do you think have been your greatest sacrifices to get to where you are now?
Verity: Not having very much money.
Allexandria: Right.
Verity: But I would say part of that is based around my, My drive, my drivers don't really include money and power and a certain level of public recognition, if you like.
So I think that I'm. Yeah, I would say I. I've sort of sacrificed that, but at the same time.
Alexandria: So what you mean is you're not doing it strictly for the money. You don't want to sing just to be famous. You want to sing because you love singing.
Verity: Precisely.
Alexandria: Bring a purpose.
Verity: Precisely. And actually you've mentioned some of the brands I've been involved with lately, and I don't need to go into the detail of those particular projects on, On a. On a practical level, but artistically, creatively, yes, fantastic to have worked on, on a Rolling Stone campaign.
But fundamentally I, I've always felt like with that and lots of other projects, I want to just. I want to create something that's really special and resonates and makes people feel something.
And so those are the drivers there. And of course, you know, there's an element there of, of needing to. And wanting to make money.
But I'm. I'm driven more by how can everybody have a great experience here? You know, when I get an artist collaborating with a producer who's then doing something for say, a brand, how can that be fantastic for everyone? How can everyone enjoy this, including myself? How can I also enjoy this?
I've always said I'd rather do fewer projects, but projects that are really special and meaningful and fulfilling and successful than to do loads of projects, but to feel like. Like I'm trapped in.
Alexandria: Or they might be a bit homogenized, like you do the same kind of format or it's lacking in originality completely.
Verity: And I work, I work with original music, original sounds, original voice and voices and scripts and so on.
For that very reason I. I'm looking to create, not to imitate.
Alexandria: Well said.
So moving on, I think because I personally look, and we have discussed this privately, that with Pluto and Aquarius, we're looking very much now for the next 20 over years, we're going to be looking at the development of originality. And now Neptune in Aries, we're looking at all of that passion, that fire coming up again. For a long period of time. It's a generational transition transit, and people are going to need to come to terms with their heart mechanics, their inner authority, and the sense of what are they standing for, what do they align with and, you know, how do they feel is, you know, the authentic nature of themselves.
And so there's going to be a lot of passion, I think, also, personally, I don't know if you've seen it in your work.
Quite a lot of frustration perhaps as well, or also people just wanting to do everything that perhaps 90 miles an hour or expecting things to happen very quickly. Do you think that's the case with your voice talent? Sometimes. So they rush in and go, I've got to do 9 million jobs in five seconds.
Verity: I feel like now I'm very aligned with people who have their own healthy rhythm.
So I think that, I mean, I would say I'm lucky, but actually I feel like it's the work that I've done to attract people to me and me to them who are authentic people who are tapped into their own sense of truth.
And so therefore, actually, I find.
I find it in. In the most part that actually everyone that I'm around, clients included, have an understanding about how things.
How things are working out or going to work out, potentially. So, yeah, there's. There's no. There's a good rhythm that I find, but I can see external to me, you know, people working with different companies that, that, that there is that element there that's happening. But that's part of my work really, to try and ensure that I.
I'm attracting what's healthy and not what's unhealthy. And my brand is called I'm Not a Machine. So ultimately, what I'm putting out there and what I've been putting out there for a long time is about being. Being an individual, being authentic, being real, being expressive, not. Not about being. Being some kind of sheep or, you know, working in a conventional way.
Alexandria: Okay, well, we can definitely go for that because I have this question on my list.
With Uranus in Gemini now, we've got an explosion of technological ease potentially going to the next level globally. But of course, that is all part of, you know, chat gpt whatever.
So how do you feel about AI? How do you think it's going to impact your industry?
Verity: Well, I know that it's already impacting my industry, especially when it comes to voice overs.
I mean, I deal with custom music and sound design as well. And I guess for some time music has been impacted by, if you like lower value stock music, royalty free music, for example, which doesn't necessarily support the composer of that music to earn a living or, you know, even to, to do things that are perhaps more expressive. But I think with, with voice over, it's definitely impacting this industry.
I think where I sit is that I've, I've created a brand, not just I'm not machine, but my own me, Verity Pabla is, is out there and has been out there for a long time as something that is a go to for authentic, for real, for human, for emotional.
And I sometimes might get, for example, a voiceover brief where the advert is already in place but they've got an AI voice which helps them with timing. And actually, in that case I don't mind at all because it's using that tool for a purpose, which it's probably quicker for them to do that than to get a temporary voiceover person to do it. Or indeed, you know, sometimes the creative director might sort of temp in the voice themselves and then, you know, they sound a bit dull or drab. So with an AI voice, it might be that they can get a bit closer to what they're looking for in terms of tone.
Alexandria: Right.
Verity: So, you know, it might be a female 30 to 40, rather than the creative director, who might be 50 to 60, male, foreign, you know, and they're looking for an English neutral. So I think AI is quite useful in that respect. I actually did just win a voiceover job which was against AI. So the client had put in an AI voice for an advert which is going on, excuse me, Channel four in the uk and it wasn't quite hitting the mark for them. And so I was able to, to compete against that and win that job, which was fantastic.
And that's my own voice rather than one of the other voice talents that I work with, because I fit the brief.
But what I did with that, and I think this is where I suppose we have to be a little bit clever and not just completely ignore the fact that AI is easy to work with, it's easy to use, but I actually recorded my own voice and quoted for it at the same time. So rather than just sending a quote, which is sort of normal, you send the quote and they've sort of heard an example of your voice. I just basically did the job and then said this is how much it's going to cost if you want to use it. And I think that that probably helped to, to win the job because they could hear the emotion in the voice compared to the AI, which there's no emotion in that.
But I made it easy for them as well. So I feel like I'm very much about humans, humans winning, humans doing things. But at the same time two things. One, if AI can be used to sort of support a particular process, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
And then the second thing is about adapting the way that you work to, to understand that. Actually again we come back to what does that other person need? You know, if that person needs ease, how can you bring them ease with what you do?
I mean, I'm competing, but I'm not competing with AI because I, I, I can't, I can't necessarily be there at the absolute drop of a hat like an AI generated voice can be. But at the same time I bring the human to the situation. But I think it's a useful tool and I'm actually doing a talk in a couple of weeks time to hopefully a whole bunch of different creative industry people about, about this topic about why it's, it's more vital than ever to be human. Human especially in the creative industries.
Alexandria: So would you say that you're seeing kind of a division, like a, a sort of two planet scenario and yeah, one planet you're going to have people just, they don't perhaps have the budget or they don't have the time or they can't be bothered. So this is what they want. They want the homogenized AI version and then you're going to get the other planet where people want originality.
Verity: Absolutely.
Alexandria: Humanity. They want the sense of putting your heart into it.
Verity: Yeah. And it almost feels as though that feels a little bit like a more traditional or old fashioned route approach. You know, there's a writer called Cal Newport, he's got a book out called Slow Productivity and he talks about craftsmanship and he's got various books out about productivity and about digital minimalism and so on.
But the point that I'm making here is that, that he I suppose argues for, advocates for and demonstrates how those who are developing a sort of craft still have value. Old fashioned, if you like, ways of doing things still have value. Going to knock on a door or putting a leaflet through someone's door still has value. Even though we have social media, even though we have the ability to generate within a split second an image or a sound, a song, what have you, there's still value in that. And there's been some research and I looked at this around how the, the brain responds to an AI voice compared to a human Voice. And actually the brain more often than not will say, even if consciously you're not aware that that's an AI voice, the brain will say, not quite to be trusted.
Alexandria: This interesting because I was going to ask you if you've got any research on that. Personally, for me, whenever I see obviously AI videos or AI voice over YouTube, whatever, I literally just don't want it.
Verity: Yeah.
Alexandria: It just has no resonance.
Verity: Yeah.
Alexandria: For myself, I do use. AI always said to people, for me, AI use it to facilitate your creative process. So what you're saying is when people are shopping for a voice, AI can give them the kind of, brief firming up that they might go, I want something that's that rather than this.
Verity: But I think you're right. I think that the, the feels certainly like there's the sort of two different, I suppose, types of people or situations or. Yeah. Even like parallel universes where you've. We've got those who don't. There's almost not even an awareness about connection. And then there are those who absolutely are aware of, of connection and feeling and real. What I call humankind. You know, it's, it's about.
Humankind is about feeling and being conscious and yeah, the heart connection.
Alexandria: Yeah, absolutely.
Verity: So I'm in that lane. And that's why we're speaking today, really, because we're, we're, we're two people of many people who are in this lens who, if you like, are little like Cal Newport. You know, we're advocating for humans to be open, to be connected to, you know, we're not competing with, with each other. We're, I feel we're. And compete is not even quite the.
Alexandria: Right word, but we're, aren't we?
Verity: Yeah. And we're also looking to how can we be the best individual. Individual that we can be. And part of that might seem like it's then you just sort of trying to win, but it's not trying to win over anyone else. It's just, it's trying to, to live your fullest potential.
Alexandria: So it's not a competition spirit, is it? It's inclusive, but it's, as you say, generated through quality and individuality. Okay, well, I'm going to put you on the spot again. So when you've been really down in your life, what would you say would be your response to that circumstance?
Verity: I really have to dig deep when I am like that because I can feel as though I get judgmental. So I've wasted time. I should Just go and get a job.
I don't know even, you know, there's lots of things that we say to ourselves which maybe it doesn't feel appropriate to sort of say out loud but you know, things like, like, you know, it's pathetic, you know, I'm pathetic in this.
But I, I remind myself of those.
Well, what are they tests or those experiments rather done on water and how water was frozen, water was spoken to and, and how actually Emoto. Yes. And how, how they impacted upon the, the crystals and how.
Alexandria: Yeah. So the matrix turned into a certain shape. So when they said war there was a nasty little sort of pin stick figure pointing a gun and then they said 'LOVE'. It was a perfect matrix.
Verity: Absolutely. So I remind myself and I guess it's going back into practice. It's, it's going back into that understanding that it's really important to positively affirm, to look at your values but also what you have brought into the world and what you've experienced as well for yourself. Like does it feel fulfilling to have done what I've done? And yes it does. Has it been always easy? No, it hasn't. But that's part of life, you know. I went to a, I went to do a master's degree in music industry enterprise at a place called Water Bear and the Water Bear or tardigrade is a, is a, is one of the most resilient creatures on the planet and I love the fact that they've called their music school that. Because resilience is such. I mean it doesn't matter whether you're music or creative non creative resilience is such a huge aspect to have and, and to I think tend to as well. So yeah, I suppose that I sort of lean into that, you know, how, how resilient how tenacious as well am I when I'm not just up and seeing success in front of me but when I'm down and I don't know when the next job is going to come along or if I'm really on the right path. Path.
It's actually no, I'm very resilient and I'm, I'm doing good things in the world and I'm a good person. So I think I lean into those things as well. Sometimes you got to get basic, it's not quite the word but you. Fundamental, you've got to get fundamental. Yeah. And, and look at what you're doing. You know, I'm, I'm nice to my dog, I'm kind to people, I'm a great friend sometimes. Going into those ways of speaking to ourselves helps to kind of pull you out, I think of that, I don't know, misery of judgment and, and I.
Alexandria: Think, as you're saying, with the inner voice. And I always talk about people when they, say, oh, my inner critic. And it's easy for you. And I can't stop, I go, it's easy, just jump in your heart. Exactly what you've said. Because personally, I believe actually the humanity is walking one further step, which is not only positivity, it's actually loving consciousness. It's just choose to love, choose the loving. And it's that simple.
Verity: Yeah.
Alexandria: So you're not choosing to be positive, you're choosing to be loving. You're going that extra step, going, I am a kind person. I am producing the creative work that I'm proud of that I think is adding value to the world. and It's reflected in the people I know.
Verity: Yes. And there is a vast difference there between being positive and affirmationy and, and, and actually what you've just said, which is living, loving consciousness.
And, and I think the proof is in the pudding. It's, it's in the, it's in the experience of, it's in the feeling of walking that path. I mean, it can be.
I, I've said this a few times actually recently to friends, but spirituality is not a tattoo of an om symbol.
Alexandria: Yes, well said. Yeah, totally. Okay. Now I just want to ask you people who are in the performance business and in recording you're often taking slots. You know, it can be sometimes a little bit last minute, can't it?
Verity: Yeah.
Alexandria: And so you're taking slots. Maybe recording in the middle of the night now, being a triple water. Do you actually like working at night. And sleeping in the day?
Verity: Oh, I used to, I used to. But actually I found that, that I like the consistency of routine and that routine being I've got a certain amount achieved by a certain time in the day.
So. But having said that, you know, I'm also, I'm also quite okay with, happy with.
It comes naturally to me that if I need to do some stuff at night or in the evening, that that's fine too. But I think with the work that I'm in now, it's a bit different from when I was a singer songwriter when, where it would be gigging and recording and all of that. I don't know, there's almost more of that, those creative juices happening, I think, in, in those hours, whereas dealing with Audio post production, which you're. I'm. I'm dealing with a lot of clients who are working Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
Alexandria: So you definitely organized your structure in that way.
Verity: That's right, yeah. But then of course I'm also handling creative talent and sometimes that creative talent like I, I represent a composer called Chris Thomas in, in, in the States. He's of course in a different time zone but as well, some of the creative talent, they, they don't, they're not necessarily going to be functioning 9:30am so it might well be that we need to get them in the studio at 6:30, 7, 8 o' clock at night. So there's a. I say I straddle two different worlds, which I think I do really with the creative talent on one side and then the, those who are perhaps more in their lane of consistency and regularity and daytime and we go home and then we're just dealing with our kids and our dogs and our husbands or wives after that point. So it's, it's an interesting world that I sit in, but I, I don't know that I could now be in only one world or the other.
Alexandria: Right.
Verity: I think that actually I couldn't just be corporate and I couldn't just be the artist. I really enjoyed to have that balance between those, those two worlds. So I think I've kind of found my sweet spot really in this space that I'm in now with my career.
Alexandria: Excellent. So really it's sort of project based, isn't it? Your response?
Verity: Yeah, I don't. That's right. And I don't, I don't then get bored because it's very quick turnarounds, especially with voice work or if you're doing some sound, Foley, sound design stuff. It's super quick turnaround. So it's really interesting, it's really enjoyable and then it's on to the next thing.
But yeah, there's still that, that sense of. And, and I try and drill this into the creative people who I'm working with.
If I need a response, I need a response. So I can't wait for the next day.
And it's not necessarily me that can't wait, it's the client can't wait. You're gonna miss the opportunity. It's that saying, right. Fortune is bold from behind. And like if this is an jump on it right now. And I think that's one way I've been able to kind of help certain creative talent to, to get jobs, to earn money, to be part of some Cool projects to win some awards. So, yeah, there's a good, good balance, I think.
Alexandira: Okay. Now I just want to ask you from an agent, voice talent perspective, because this is a bit of a chicken and egg thing for your work, do you go, I've got a brand or I've got a project that needs a voice, or do you go, oh, that voice would be fantastic for that brand. But they might not have a campaign.
Would you sell both ends?
Verity: It's more the former because I'm, I suppose I'm more reactive than I am. I'm responsive to proactive. I mean, I am proactive, but, you know, some people are just natural salespeople, aren't they? And I feel like the latter requires someone who has more of that.
I'm just going to go and create that opportunity. I'm just going to go and make that happen. I mean, sometimes that's been the case, but in the most part I work best with when someone says, okay, do you know a sound designer who lives in this part of the state who has this kind of sound and this type of experience? And I go, I will go and find them.
That's where I. That's where I work best.
But I do sometimes have musician, composers and, and voice artists and sometimes music artists as well, who. Who do have a clear idea in their mind about where they could fit. And actually, I think that's really important that they do have that. That. Because between the two of us, then we can try and push for those kind of opportunities.
Alexandria: Okay. Alrighty. Well, I'd like to talk to you for a lot longer, Verity, but I know you've got to dash into town for gig into London, so I'm going to ask you the last question. Can you tell me what is your funniest moment on your creative journey that sort of resonates in your heart? And you might draw on if you want a little chuckle or you want a bit of an sort of inspiration generation.
Verity: Gosh. Funniest moment.
I'm not sure I'd have to think about that a little bit longer, but I've had some cool moments. I've had. I've had moments which have just felt really.
Yeah. Cool. Really in, you know, they've inspired me. So I was living in Santa Monica for a little while and how I met Chris Thomas, the composer that I represent now, big film and TV composer. He did some stuff for Fortnite recently. Godzilla and Kong, for example. I met him in a. In a coffee bean on Maine when he was speaking to someone else. He was having a meeting, which I think went terribly. He was so lovely and so enthusiastic and whoever he was meeting with was just not Chris. And we end up then connecting after that. But, yeah, when I lived in Santa Monica, I recall I was going to play basketball and I probably look ridiculous in like a full basketball, basketball, like, outfit. But I walked past Alanis Morissette, who's a pretty big deal, pretty A list music, musician, artist, and that was really nice. And then more recently, and this comes back to you don't know where your small steps are going to take you. I remember going to a place called the Joint on Pico, which is closed now, but they used to do these amazing jazz, soul jazz.
And I end up making friends with a guy called Donald Hayes, who's a fantastic sax player, plays with Ariana Grande and Beyonce and so on. And more recently, I got to meet through one of his friends, Stevie Wonder.
Verity: So, gosh.
Alexandria: Icon. Icon.
Verity: These things really inspire me. They keep me motivated. They help me to believe that actually I'm in the right place at the right time. I'm on a certain vibrational frequency and, yeah, I. I deserve to be in certain spaces. And I think that's one thing I'd advocate for now is really, you know, push your own self into genuinely believing that you're worth whatever experiences that you want to have.
Allexandria: Beautiful. Well, on that note, thank you so much. It has been really inspirational having you on the Making of you Verity, a delight. And for your articulate wisdoms and insights there. And of course, if you want to contact Verity, I'm shouting out to Holland, to Germany, I know I've got listeners there and also France and basically the whole of the world, because we've got listeners for the Making of you everywhere. Yeah, give Verity a contact on iamnotamachine.com all right. If you're interested in being voice talent or you need voice talent, because that is all of her brilliance shining there. And, yes, again, it's been my great pleasure. Verity, are you on Instagram?
Verity: Yeah, I'm on Instagram, so my name is Verity Pabla. Or you can follow IAM Not a Machine Music on Instagram. And, yeah, love to connect with any of your listeners. That would be amazing.
Alexandria: Alrighty. Well, thank you very much, everyone and look forward to the next surprise bonus interview. Thank you very much.
