He is 22 years old, he’s a talented singer-songwriter and herecently performed at NH7 Pune. Oh, and he’s also a Goan.
My ears stumbled upon Vernon Noronha’s voice a year ago. Hewas performing at High Street Phoenix, Mumbai and his acoustic was attracting alot of people. His performance would time and again raise an eyebrow or two ashe sang most of the requested songs by-heart. Within this last one year, Vernonhas managed to convince our feet to tap to his fresh and multi-dimensionalmusic.
Vernon started flirting with music at the age of eight. Itwas his first stage performance as he sang the tunes of Across the Bridge byJim Reeves. In the beginning, it was listening to John Denver and Jim Reeveswhich later graduated to Green Day, Oasis, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Jack Johnsonand Michael Jackson.
After returning to India during his early childhood due tothe Gulf war in Kuwait, Vernon studied at Victoria High School in Mahim. Here,he was introduced to the world of music. Since then, there has been no lookingback. Gradually, there was a shift from covers to original music. While Vernonwas still in school, he started writing his own compositions.
After dedicating five years to corporate gigs andserenading, Vernon has a repertoire of cover songs. However, this talentedsinger-songwriter has come to terms with his belief that if music is hiscareer, at some point he will have to put corporate gigs to an end and focus onoriginal music. “My compositions are about things I believe in. Some songs areimaginary, but some draw inspiration from real incidents. For instance, I’vecomposed a song called Violet. This song is about my mother,” says Vernon,adding, “I love composing songs. If I’m strumming my guitar and if you come upto me and suggest a topic, I can put a tune to my thoughts at that verymoment.”
Vernon’s recent compositions include a Konkani number calledGood Buddy Gadbadi which he sang for a mainstream Bollywood film that’s yet torelease. When asked which his favourite Konkani song was, he said Yo Baile Yofollowed by a chuckle. “Lorna’s energy in this song and the funny lyrics areoutstanding,” he says.
Goa being his hometown, Vernon visits the so called susegadstate at least once a year. But given a chance, he’s ready to leave Mumbai andspend the rest of his lifetime in the land of sea and sand. And when he’s inGoa, he would love to do stage performances for the lovers of surf music,Blues, Latin, Samba and even Jazz.
If he’s not at a gig, you will find Vernon sitting on hiscouch and reading a novel or playing cricket on the field. When asked about hisdream collaboration, he says, “I have to jam up with John Mayer and Jason Mrazbefore I die, or before they die.”
The sole challenge this Goan lad faces while putting forwardhis talent is to find a connection with his audience. “This world is dividedinto different kinds of people who think differently. It’s a challenge tostrike a chord with their minds to keep them engaged throughout a performance,”he admits.
As of now, Vernon will continue gigging within India andabroad. Simultaneously, he is working on building a collection of his originalmusic that will set him apart from the rest and bring along due recognition.
