Swiss Singer-Songwriter Veronica Fusaro On New Single ‘Beach’ And Forthcoming Debut Album

It’s been exactly a year since Swiss singer-songwriter Veronica Fusaro toured India. Since then, the musician has focused her attention on following up 2019’s five-track record Sunkissed with her upcoming yet to be titled full-length debut album. Earlier this month, Fusaro released the LP’s first single, the moody “Beach,” via Mumbai label 9122 Records.

In this interview with Rolling Stone India, Fusaro opens up about the new track, how she’s coped during the pandemic and more.

Precisely this time last year you were performing in Mumbai, I’m aware that after that you started putting together your forthcoming debut album, how’s that coming along?  

Wow, crazy how time flies! Yes, I’ve mainly been working on my debut album. I started putting together the visuals, we shot the pictures for it, it’s starting to come all together. I’m so excited to invite you into this world, and I’m even more excited to show you the rest of the story.

With the album’s first single, “Beach,” you’ve presented much darker tones sonically as compared to what we heard on your EP Sunkissed. What can you tell me about the new song in terms of both the sonic approach and the lyrical theme?

The song is about, you know that feeling you have when you want something, but you can’t have it? But instead of facing the problem of why you can’t have that thing in the first place, you distract yourself with other fun things and cool stuff (or people). The only problem is that all of these fun things have an ‘expiration date’ so you never end up getting what you actually want. So, for me, it was important to create this rather dark, sad first part of the song, and then it takes off in the chorus, pretending as if everything was ok. And that goes hand in hand with the lyrics: ‘Since I cannot have the beach/I will take a look at you/May I rest my eyes right on your lies/So I get faded too.’ I’m sad that I can’t have what I actually want, but hey let me, looking at you and everything will be ok for the moment.

You worked with London-based producer Paul O’Duffy (who has worked with Amy Winehouse, Dusty Springfield, amongst others), what was that experience like?

I went to London in March 2020 to record it with Paul in his studio in London, just before the whole lockdown situation happened. It’s always a pleasure to work with him, there’s the right mix of being serious and having fun in the studio.

How far are you into the process of making your new record and what can you tell people about it so far and what they can expect?

I’ve got, let’s say five songs that are surely going to be on the album. Then there’s a few ideas that I started recording and working on in my basement studio. But I know quite well the sonic world I want the songs to live in as well as the subjects I want to talk about. I think people can expect melancholic feels wrapped in colorful paper, honest lyrics and sounds that try to capture the prettiest colors of the sky at sunset.

How have you coped during the pandemic?

So far so good. Of course, it comes with a lot of difficulties, especially when thinking about the touring situation, but compared to other jobs in this industry like technicians, etc. I really can’t complain. We’ve also been able to play little shows in Switzerland. But I can’t wait to be back on the road more and play for people around the globe, without having to worry about this virus… and I can’t wait to hug people again!

Stream “Beach” on Spotify below and on other platforms.