The first wave of performers who are Girl Rock Camp Aotearoa alumni are now emerging, and Mount Maunganui artist Frankie Venter is one of them. Her latest release, the plainly-spoken and catchy Leyla, is featured on NZ On Air Music‘s NewTracks compilation this February.

What’s your name, where are you from and what instruments do you each play?

Hey, I’m Frankie Venter! I play guitar, sing and write songs. I’m from Mount Maunganui, soon to be moving to Auckland!

Was any high school or other music training especially important to you?

I remember doing a music camp called Girls Rock. It’s where I first learned to write songs and play in a band!

Any other projects that we might we know you from?

You might know me from my learning to cook videos chronicles on social media or (hopefully) my latest release Leyla!

How has your writing evolved from your beginnings in songwriting to now?

I think I’ve found going from starting out writing with just me in my room with my guitar to working with producers opens up so much room for exploring different genres and vibes for me. All the different instruments and access to synths tends to give the song much more opportunity to branch out from just a guitar based song which is what i was originally making when i first started out.

Aside from this release, what’s been the big highlight to date? 

I did a show recently opening for Will Swinton at the Tuning Fork in Auckland where Ii had people sing the lyrics of my songs back to me and I felt myself welling up a bit on stage. These girls had brought me friendship bracelets and beautiful signs they had made. That was really special!

What’s the background story to Leyla? 

I wrote it about a guy who wouldn’t be quiet about his girl best friend Leyla while we were together and eventually ended up liking her. A very frustrating situation but made for a great writing concept. Actually I wrote the song with my producer Rory Noble. I had taken unfinished verses to him, and we wrote the rest in one day! It was such a fun song to write, and screaming the chorus serves as a great anger management technique when you’re alone in the car…

What makes Leyla stand out for you as a single?

It’s a lot different to my other songs. Way more pop rock and I really like that about it.

What’s your favourite moment, musical or lyrical, of the single?

Definitely the chorus!

Who did you record/produce the track with and where?

In Rory Noble’s studio on the North Shore. I just remember going into the studio really mad about the whole situation and coming out felling really good about the song we had made out of it!

Who else is in your team?

Along with my producer Rory, Harry Pali is my awesome manager! And I’m super happy to be signed with Five AM 🙂

What would you like listeners to take away from this song?

Trust your gut, girls!

How do you generally work out what song would make a good single?

It’s really great to chuck the song up on TikTok, and generally you can gauge depending on your fan base’s reaction to it! I love doing this and most of the time, if I love the song a lot other people will too.

Are there any other musical endeavours you’re working on that we should keep an eye out for?

I know I’ve been teasing it for a while, but shows are coming so so soon…

Are there any musical blogs, Youtube channels or podcasts you’re super into?

The Shameless podcast is my favourite of all time!

Any last words?

Thank you for having me as your NewTracks New Artist NZ Musician!