Vee is for very up and coming

It's going to be a year of progress for Kiwi neo-soul diva Sacha Vee, who has found herself a new manager, is releasing an EP next week and plans to get signed this year so she can put out an album.

And with such talent, it's hard to imagine the Wellington-based 24-year-old – who is in Nelson on tour this week – won't be snapped up soon.

Inspired by the likes of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Chaka Khan, Vee has a Dutch/West Indian background and was surrounded by music such as calypso and reggae from an early age. Her gutsy sound has been likened to Billie Holiday's and although her style is jazzy-soul, she prefers to label her genre as neo-soul.

Vee's talent was discovered at the age of 16 when she was named Best Vocalist at the New Zealand Jazz Festival. Since then, Vee has been making her presence known, performing at music festivals and collaborating with Kiwi musicians. She has opened for the likes of Shapeshifter, Hollie Smith and Harbour City Electric and collaborated with Devin Abrams (of Shapeshifter) on his latest Pacific Heights album In a Quiet Storm.

She has also played with Departure Lounge and another one of her projects is Oval Office, her Christchurch-based funk band.

Vee last played in Nelson at a sold-out Winter Festival gig last year. This time, her visit is part of a summer tour that covers most of the main cities. Her three gigs in the Nelson region will consist of original music as well as a few "funky covers".

"The Nelson bits are going to be the fun bits. It's mostly quite up tempo, so it should be a fun set."

After a year of hard work, Vee is releasing her debut self-titled EP featuring the single Patience next week. Co-produced by Vee and Oakley Grenell, the EP is deep, soulful and full of catchy choruses.

As of last week, she also has a new manager and is now on a mission to build up her profile.

"Hopefully, I will be getting some funding to do an album and hopefully head to Europe this year.

"It's really strange in New Zealand how, if you want to get anywhere, you need to front up with quite a bit of money to get something out, and then they will give you a grant. So I'm trying to get some kind of profile to get New Zealand on Air interested to want to fund an album.

"Definitely, the aim this year is to get signed to something."

Vee will also have to find time to complete her master's degree in music therapy through New Zealand School of Music, which involves a full-year placement and thesis.

• Sacha Vee plays at the Mussel Inn, Golden Bay, on Thursday January 28, at The Vic in Nelson on Januyary 29 from 9pm, and at the Park Cafe in Marahau on January 30. See sachavee.com.

- © Fairfax NZ News