Interview with Youandi

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

• Life has pulled me towards music in various ways, from the natural tones that have been emanating from me since I can recall, to the rhythm of virtually everything. It seems illogical to not pursue it further.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

• I take pleasure in expressing my creativity through various forms of crafting, but I also find solace in stillness and introspection, where I discover music within myself and this is becoming one of my favourites. It influences my focus and level of energetic investment when I create. The connection between my self and stillness creates space for divinity to pour through savely when I create.

How long have you been making music?

• I’ve been singing since I can recall time but recording since the age of fifteen.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

•  In Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I consciously have no idea apart from the fact that I’m very pleased to be working with the people that I’m collaborating with over here.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

• I believe that these aspirations are currently confined within the realm of my imagination, waiting to be lived.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• As for now Paradiso has become my favoured performance venue, primarily because of its generous space and intriguing architecture. However, what truly sets it apart are the labyrinthine backstage hallways, which never fail to imbue me with a sense of wonder and make every visit feel like a lil adventure.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

• James Blake, Little dragon, A2, ZULA and Oishi, I bet it’s a perfect artist recipe to build an interesting and memorable line up with.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music?

• Follow the sparks, stay committed and get comfortable with discomfort, there you’ll be able to learn the most. And definitely do not forget it’s all play, so don’t get stuck for too long in any form of seriousness it shadows the sparks.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

• Don’t be too hard on yourself, just enjoy.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• They all have their special messages but at the moment it’ll be all time cause it’s such a beautiful reminder to stay connected to my innate creator. I wish it has the same effect or close on many.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

•  My fav to play would be all time at the moment but why and wy get requested most.

What is your creative process like, and what inspires you to write your music?

• My creative process isn’t something that I can define by structure because It’s like fluid and so ever changing, like living. Even if I’d repeat a certain routine in my day there could be resistance and blockages arising where on another bright day there could be not. Because of this I try to flow with it and serve it as I go. With each day asking for another experience to evoke the magic of creative sight and doings. In this way my lyrics find their own momentum to pour out of my pen, I’m connected but mostly not intentionally decisive of it. So it can be literally anything that shines to be inspiring.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

• Uplifting and motivating ones but as I said previously, I’m not particularly choosing it, more like the other way around. I just enjoy it differently when I feel there’s an uplifting tone and message to it.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• I’m up for sharing more music, performing again cause these gaps been eating me up. But all in divine timing. Just like my upcoming body of work aka debut album or otherly named “isaidtome’ will be coming out next month. Speaking about the ego’s difficulty to sometimes exist and my higher perspectives going in on it. So stay hydrated and graciously tuned J