23 December 2011 Last updated at 10:46 ET

Coventry singer-songwriter Verity Pabla back in town

Verity is raising money for her Coventry band to play in New Zealand

Coventry singer-songwriter Verity Pabla is a familiar name on the local music scene, but is also making her mark on the other side of the world.

Verity, who is the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Band of the Month for December, has made a new life for herself in New Zealand.

She has returned to Coventry to spend time with her family, but to also reunite with her band.

Shows include concerts at Playwrights and Taylor John's House.

A new single

Speaking to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire about her change of location, Verity said: "There are a number of stories I could tell about how I ended up there, but I suppose the simplest one is that I just really liked the idea of going to live in that country.

"I've been living there a year now and it's fantastic, but it's nice to be able to come back and see the people I love and do some music over here."

While she has musicians she plays with in New Zealand, Verity hopes to try and get her 'Coventry band' out there in 2012.

The band consists of Francesca Egan on backing vocals, Si Hayden on guitar/bass, Wayne Matthews on bass and drummer/percussionist Ben Haynes.

Verity began writing and playing music while at university and it was during this time she learned the guitar.

She went professional over four years ago and is currently working on a new single.

'Mellower than ever'

Talking about her style of music, Verity said: "It's all quite mellow, acoustic stuff. I've got one rock EP and I was planning on making a rock album, which maybe I will at some point, but having moved to New Zealand I've probably chilled out even more.

"My stuff is probably coming out mellower than ever - less melancholic though."

But is Coventry still home to Verity?

"I think New Zealand is my home to be honest. I'll always be from Coventry and I'll always feel somewhat at home here because I'm so familiar with it, but I feel that when I go to New Zealand, I feel quite settled.

"I think it just comes down to which places nurtures you on a personal level. The environment is a huge thing for me. I can go up to the top of Mount Eden, which is in my area and I just look at a 360 degree panoramic of the whole city... It's just green and totally beautiful.

"It doesn't matter what Coventry does, it can't compete with that."

Verity is playing at Taylor John's House in Coventry on Wednesday, 28 December.