Vera Ellen

Born and raised in Naenae in Te Whanganui-A-Tara/Wellington, Vera Ellen spent her younger years playing and writing music, her first song written at age 8. Whilst living in Aotearoa, she played in bands such as grunge 4-piece Maple Syrup and Sweater. Vera then relocated to Los Angeles, where she started the band Girl Friday, whose music debuted on indie giant Sub Pop's sub-label, Hardly Art. In early 2020, Vera moved back to Aotearoa during the pandemic, leading to her finishing her solo album, It's Your Birthday, which was released on Flying Nun Records in October 2021. This album saw Vera named 'Best Alternative Artist' at the 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards.

The follow-up album, Ideal Home Noise, unearthed from much introspection and an attempt to find some comedy and lightness in an otherwise dark period, came out in 2023 and won that year's prestigious Taite Music Prize. 

Her new album, Heaven Knows What Time, drops this May 1st on Flying Nun Records.