Verus Ferreira

"Music has always been a part of my childhood. Growing up and listening to music on the radio and playing my dad’s LP records made me a music lover."
- Verus Ferreira

Biography

Music has always been a part of my childhood. Growing up and listening to music on the radio and playing my dad’s LP records made me a music lover.

I would say the real test of my love for music began when I got a part time job in 1989 as an audio recordist at FLIPPER, where I did audio cassette recording music from CDs onto cassette. It was here that the roots to my journalism began when I started contributing small tidbits for a local Bandra paper ‘The Bandra Star’ published by Vincy D’Mello. Another newspaper ‘The Front Page’ also snapped me to do a music column. I enjoyed it while it lasted, but I had to leave it after I graduated from college.

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The Great Music Quiz Book
The Great Rock Music Quiz Book

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The Great Music Quiz Book
The Great Music Quiz Book - Other
The Great Rock Music Quiz Book
The Great Rock Music Quiz Book - Other

The Great Music Quiz Book - Launch

The Great Music Quiz Book - Launch

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The Great Music Quiz Book
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Music Quiz Book hits the stands

MUMBAI: Can’t imagine life without music? The Great Music Quiz Book by Verus Ferreira with over 900 questions and answers.

Music Quiz Book goes for reprint

The Great Music Quiz Book by Verus Ferreira is just about 18 months old. But since its launch in February 2013

The Teenager Today Ad Jan 2014

"The book is not only a delight, but a pleasure to travel down memory lane"

The Great Music Quiz Book - Online

"Online Press article of the book."

The Great Music Quiz Book - Print

"Print Press article of the book."

Contact

VERUS FERREIRA

202, Xavier Apts, St. John Baptist Rd, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400 050.

verusf@gmail.com

musicunplugged1013@gmail.com

+91 9819510183

Your message has been sent. Thank you!

Music has always been a part of my childhood. Growing up and listening to music on the radio and playing my dad’s LP records made me a music lover.

I would say the real test of my love for music began when I got a part time job in 1989 as an audio recordist at FLIPPER, where I did audio cassette recording music from CDs onto cassette. It was here that the roots to my journalism began when I started contributing small tidbits for a local Bandra paper ‘The Bandra Star’ published by Vincy D’Mello. Another newspaper ‘The Front Page’ also snapped me to do a music column. I enjoyed it while it lasted, but I had to leave it after I graduated from college.

My memory of my first real article was a contribution of an article to the annual college magazine, 'Andra annual'. After completing my BA in Psychology (major) from St. Andrew’s College, Bandra, Mumbai, I got my first big job as an Operations Executive in a courier service from 1992 until 1997, where I also served as an onboard courier. I left it all in 1997 and headed for music journalism as a freelancer.

My parents were not very supportive about it as a music career was not what they intended me to follow. With my folks in the airlines, they thought that I too should take up a flying career. But all I can say is that, I’ve made the right decision and I can proudly say that I have a high flying music career going for me.
It all began when I was offered a chance to work as a Trainee Assistant Editor for The Teenager magazine on a temporary basis for 3 months. I was then selected and included on the Editorial Board of the magazine till date. Involved in assignments given by the Editor I covered the music section and related events in the city. I also started a column called Pop Talk in June 1992 till date that features an International / Indian artist every month.

Then came The Secular Citizen and based on performance was selected as Associate Editor with The Secular Citizen from August 1994 – September 1997 on a freelance basis. In January 1998, the magazine format changed to tabloid and the Editorial Board got dissolved.

Adept at creating crosswords, in March 1995 I created a theme crossword for the Advertising Agency, Hindustan Thompson Limited (HTA) for their client United Distillers Indian Limited for their product ‘Black and White’ Scotch whisky.

In March 1997 and March 1998 created a Music Crossword exclusively for BMG Crescendo (India) Pvt. Ltd (the international tie – up with the Bertelsmann Music Group) and Crescendo Music and Marketing for their quarterly in – house newsletter that was sent to their world - wide offices.

From December 1998 – June 1999 created crosswords for "The Telegraph' newspaper, sponsored by Close – Up, published in the section 'etc'.

In June 1998, created a crossword for a newly launched music magazine ‘The Record’ second issue sponsored by BMG – Crescendo.

The dawn of the new millennium opened up new avenues to write for books. My long association with St Pauls got me a chance to write a feature on the new millennium. I was selected from a list of writers by a Committee from St. Paul's Centre to submit an article for a book on the new millennium titled "Reflections for the new Millennium". The same was published and released in September 2000. The book has 27 chapters and was available at all St. Paul's Centre bookshops in India and all over the world. At the inauguration of the Annual Bandra Book Fest held by Better Yourself Books on November 4th. I was felicitated along with other writers by the Book Centre for my contribution. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Chhagan Bhujbal was the Chief Guest.

In the year 2000, I was selected as part of the Panel of Judges for The Teen of the Year Pageant 2000 Bombay Regional Finals, held on 9th November 2000.

A music magazine The Record began operations in 1998 and since February 2000 I was on the Editorial Board of The Record Music Magazine until it folded in November 2007.

Very notably my photos ‘Race Against Time’ a photograph was published in Hindustan Times on 27th February 2010 in the HT Café section and was selected as a ‘Pic of the Week’.

From then on there was no looking back. One publication led to another and I freelanced for magazines such as The Secular Citizen, The Coastal Observer, Ad World, Raga to Rock, The Advertising Brief (Mid – Day), Industry – In Touch, Upbeat, Bandra Samachar, Better Photography and AV Max (Tata Infomedia), The Examiner, G magazine and BTW (from the Chitralekha Group), Vision (Goa), MatchMaker magazine (Bharatmatrimony.com), Pathfinders Weekly, The East Indian Journal, Mangalore Today, Yuva and Youth Action.

Feature stories in Bombay Times, West Side Plus and Ngage (published from The Times of India) were regular, besides columns in The Free Press Journal.
Aviation interests me a lot and while I wasn’t part of it in a big way like my family members, I got a chance where I selected the in - flight audio entertainment for Jet Airways and also contributed music articles for their bi monthly in – flight entertainment guide JetScreen. Also selected the in-flight audio entertainment for South African Airways.

I have also worked on a part - time basis as an E – Content Executive (Indian / International Music) with a music website: www.ragatorock.com doing a similar job.
In the year 2000, I also worked on a part - time basis as an E – Content Executive (India / International Music) or a music website www.musicabsolute.com The job entailed downloading and rewriting news, conducting (one on one or telephonic) interviews, attending press conferences, doing features, rewriting artists bios and checking grammar and language of various articles for net use.

In 2010 I began work on my first book which was released as The Great Music Quiz Book – By Verus Ferreira and launched by Bollywood singer and composer Gajendra Verma of 'Mann Mera' (from Table No. 21) fame at Title Waves book store in Bandra on 12th February 2013. The Great Music Quiz Book is published by St Pauls, Bandra, Mumbai. The book’s Foreword has been written by renowned santoor player Rahul Sharma. To date the book has sold in excess of 1500 copies and recently went for its first reprint.

In October 2013 I launched a music portal www.musicunplugged.in

In 2012, I was also assigned to contribute a chapter on the ‘Christian Contribution to Music and Entertainment’ in the Jnana- Deepa Vidyapeeth and St Pauls joint publication of ‘A Concise Encyclopaedia of Christianity in India’ which was released on 10th June 2014 at Papal Seminary, Pune.

My other interests include Photo – Journalism. I am proud to see my photographs published in magazines like The Teenager, Vision (Goa), The Coastal Observer, The Secular Citizen, The Examiner, G Magazine (from the Chitralekha Group), Ngage (TOI), My Doctor. The Free Press Journal, Business India, The Afternoon Despatch & Courier. An article on the event / feature supported these photographs.

I presently write for The Afternoon Despatch and Courier newspaper, The Teenager Today – teenzine magazine and Cine Buster magazine.

Music Quiz Book hits the stands

MUMBAI: Can’t imagine life without music? The Great Music Quiz Book by Verus Ferreira with over 900 questions and answers on different music genres and music artistes should give you hours of musical fun. No matter how much you know about music, you’ll still find plenty of baffling questions and surprising answers. The Great Music Quiz Book is not just a quiz book, but is also meant to educate those who want to know more about music and to those who want to draw the line between fact and fiction.

Music lovers can enhance their knowledge of music as it happened… age to age, genre to genre, through 17 chapters, including our very own Bollywood and Indi Pop. You have the best of Western Pop, Musicals, Music OSTs to Movies, Rock, Love, Instrumental Music, Jazz, Country and three handpicked legends of music, all well-documented, including musicians who’ve made it big over the past few decades. You can also lay myths and facts about music and artistes at rest.

A music journalist for over 20 years, Verus Ferreira who lives in Bandra, Mumbai, began his career with The Teenager, now rechristened as The Teenager Today (India’s only teenzine). Verus has interviewed on a one – on - one basis the who’s who in the music business from artistes like Air Supply, Shaggy, Herbie Hancock, Richard Clayderman, Emma Bunton (Spice Girls), to Joe Satriani, Placido Domingo, Zubin Mehta, Buddy Guy to metal rockers Iron Maiden to name just a few. Verus presently writes for The Teenager Today, Afternoon Despatch and Courier (ADC), besides handling the music portal www.musicunplugged.in as Content Head.

An ardent music lover, Verus was motivated to take up this project as he found that book stores across India stocked quiz books on science, sports, politics, history and general knowledge, but rarely a dedicated music quiz book. “After visiting many music and book stores, I realized there was no quiz book on music, hence I wanted to be the first to do this,” he says. He also felt that down the line he needed to do something more than just writing music articles, interviewing music artistes, doing general stories, news reports, and reviewing music and films.

Besides being a well-known journalist, Verus also dabbles in photography and 17 photos of artistes that appear in the book have been shot by him, lending a very personal touch.

In his foreword, renowned santoor player Rahul Sharma speaks highly of the author. “I first met Verus in the year 2000, when he came to interview me after I had launched one of my albums. From the moment he got down to asking me his first question, I knew here was a journalist who knew his music really well because the questions were different from what journalists usually ask. A few years later he also attended my concert with Richard Clayderman. His review left me astounded; he had collated every minute detail of the concert from beginning to end, for those who missed the concert, reading his review almost they felt that they were there. He is a true music journalist.”

Joe Eruppakkatt, General Editor, BETTER YOURSELF BOOKS says, “Verus has done a superb job with the book and it not only manages to bring in many facts of music, but it also maintains the high standards of visual appeal. The book is a handy reckoner to anyone who enjoys good music and would want to know more about the artistes and the people who make great music.”

A handy reference for music lovers, a valuable aid for school/college quiz competitions, house party games and picnic outings and a perfect gift for birthday parties and occasions, the soft cover book has 176 pages and is priced at an affordable Rs 150/-. It is available at all St Paul Book Centres across the country and in major book stores nationwide.

The Great Music Quiz Book is a compendium of music notes with the right tune, directed at all age groups and at anyone who loves music and quizzes. Music lovers would love to keep it on their shelves as a ready- reference to check their knowledge of music.

Music Quiz Book goes for reprint

The Great Music Quiz Book by Verus Ferreira is just about 18 months old. But since its launch in February 2013, it has sold in excess of 900 copies. The author’s tireless efforts in promoting the book paid off when the book recently went for a 2nd reprint. The book was sold at all Better Yourself Books stores across the country. Promotion by the author in bookstores, parishes, at exhibitions, also helped in reaching the milestone.

After getting loads of feedback from friends and well-wishers, the author has tried to collate all the ideas, making a few changes in the reprint version which he hopes will impart much more knowledge to the reader. Father Joe Eruppakkatt General Editor, Better Yourself Books says, “BYB is extremely happy with the overwhelming response to 'The Music Quiz Book' by Verus. Going for a reprint within less than a year of its publication is indicative of its popularity."

The author too is happy at the outcome. He says. “I always believed that hard work pays. The success of my book going for a reprint only pushes me further to do more and see that the book reaches those who truly love music and enjoy quizzing themselves, especially the youth who today have the latest gadgets and want to keep books aside. I thank everyone at BYB for having faith in me and taking on this book.”

The book has been receiving rave reviews in the media, from websites to print and even radio. Parag Kamani, a noted music critic, quips: “Verus Ferreira deserves full credit for being perhaps the first [and only] Indian to have taken the initiative of launching The Great Music Quiz Book, more so in a digital era where downloads take precedence over purchase. It is evident that Verus has taken immense pains in pursuing his musical passion, culminating in undertaking extensive research for his book. I congratulate him on his initiative.”

Radioandmusic.com a popular music portal mentioned that “the book promises to enlighten readers and let them have fun testing their knowledge on music and favorite stars”, while the DNA newspaper recommended the book for “those…who are passionate about music and enjoy reading endless trivia and random facts about various musical genres.”

Renowned santoor player Rahul Sharma, whose Foreword graces the book, stated “I’m very happy to know that my friend Verus' book has been successful and readers have enjoyed it! The book provides insight on musicians and is a great effort from the writer to provide information and knowledge on music facts, through its simple approach.”

The book was launched on 12th February 2013 by Bollywood singer-composer Gajendra Verma at Title Waves book store, Bandra, Mumbai, and as a promotional venture Verus also made coffee mugs using the image of the cover of his book and sold them as standalones or packaged with the book.

A music journalist for over 20 years, Verus Ferreira who lives in Bandra, Mumbai, began his career with The Teenager, now rechristened The Teenager Today (TTT - India’s only teenzine) and presently writes for TTT as also for ADC (Afternoon Despatch & Courier), besides handling a music portal as Content Head.

A handy reference point for music lovers, a valuable aid for school/college quiz competitions, house party games, and for picnics and outings, THE GREAT MUSIC QUIZ BOOK makes a perfect gift for any and every occasion.

Available in paperback / pp 176 / INR 160 at all St Paul Book Centres and other major book stores nationwide.

Singer Lesle Lewis launches 'The Great Rock Music Quiz Book' by Verus Ferreira

What better way to celebrate the launch of a Music Quiz Book, than to get people together through the power of Music and this precisely what happened at the much awaited book launch of Verus Ferreira’s 2nd book entitled ‘The Great Rock Music Quiz Book’ on Saturday 2nd December 2017 at Title Waves in Bandra.

Today book launches are becoming more innovative and creative to add to the titles of various books being launched. Verus Ferreira knows how to make this event a unique one to remember for all his fans who gathered together to wish him all the success for this book and surely they were not disappointed.

The evening began with some classic rock songs taken by artists featured in the book. You had popular singer from Bandra Lawrie D’souza singing his heart out with his opening piece Hotel California, followed by Verus’ favorite song Roadhouse Blues. The audience was left asking for an encore and he delightfully obliged with Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight.

The ever bubbling and enthusiastic grooming and speech consultant Sarita Manchanda was in Conversation with Verus Ferreira with a lively Q&A session. Verus shared his insights on his journey in shaping the book to its final product. He also shared his experiences of meeting a few bands, one of them being Iron Maiden whom he met in 2008 when they performed in Mumbai city.

More music was coming from 20 year old budding musician and the author’s friend Klien Pereira from St .Andrew’s College who sang Aerosmith’s I Don’t’ Want to Miss A Thing and for Bon Jovi fans the song Always.

No introduction was really required to announce the grand entry of India’s Colonial Cousins stalwart singer-composer Lesle Lewis. Lewis has given his stamp of approval for the book by writing a beautiful Foreword. Lesle was delighted to unveil Verus’ second book ‘The Great Rock Music Quiz Book’ and was all praise for the Author. Lesle has known the Author for many years going back to the days when Lesle released his album Colonial Cousins. “It was in 1997 that I first met Lesle for an interview for a magazine. In my wildest dreams I never imagined that 20 years later Lesle Lewis would be launching my book on music. I am honored to have him here and to be present to launch this book for me” stated an elated Ferreira.

Lesle replied saying that it was a pleasure to be present at the launch and said that the book had something for a rock music lover, admitting that he was a staunch follower of rock music his favorite being Jimi Hendrix. Verus also thanked Co Founder of Story Mirror Mr. Bibhu Datta Rout for having published the book on Music and making Verus, the first music book writer in the publisher’s vast catalogue.

Says Ferreira “This book that has over 950 Questions and Answers, is sure to bring back memories of house parties, the days when we used to play air guitar to rock anthems like Hotel California, Brick in the wall, Wonderful Tonight, Sultans of Swing, We Will Rock You and Roadhouse Blues, among many others. The book is also a source of education for the younger mobile phone generation who missed out a way of life that might never return”.

The evening continued with Lesle Lewis taking center stage to belt out his favorite tracks from his early Colonial Cousins days singing one of the hit songs Sa ni dha pa. He also gave the select audience, a peek of his new songs which is available online with one of them being Paise Ki Maa Ki Aankh and many more.

Lastly the evening featured a live performance by Gospel singer Macklin Lacerda from the Gospel rock band ‘Open Secret’ who is also featured in the book. Macklin spoke a little on Gospel music when he said that the Gospel music has the same rock sound, with only its lyrics making the whole feeling seem different. He then gave us a scintillating performance with two examples, Coldplay’s Fix You and U2’s I still have not found what I am looking for.

The evening ended with a rapid fire rock music quiz with questions taken from the book. Many from the audience, who got it right, were rewarded with a prize.

Go check out ‘The Great Rock Music Quiz’ and test your knowledge on bands like Aerosmith, Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Guns N Roses, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, and many more. A good read for all rock music fans.

Author: Verus Ferreira Published by: Story Mirror Pages: 204 Price: Rs 225/- Available on: Amazon, Flipkart and book stores across the country.