“My songs are born from emotion.” - Interview with singer/songwriter Yelpy
Yelpy is a singer/songwriter from Ireland, currently based in LA, and who recently released his debut single + video Feel It. He kindly agreed to answer a few questions for this blog.
From playing in a band to going solo, from Ireland to L.A. – what was the motivation behind those two decisions?
All my life I wanted to play gigs in America, just me and my guitar. There was a certain romantic allure to it. But I always had commitments. I was often very busy and entrenched in the music scene back in Ireland. So when the sad but inevitable time came for my long time Irish band to break up so too did my opportunity to try something new. Leaving my comfort zone has been ended up being an immensely rewarding precess. I have gone from playing a small country in a big band to playing a big country all by myself.
When looking for a dancer to appear in the video to your debut single Feel It, you decided to ask Faye Viviana who had actually ended her career because of a severe injury. Why did you do choose her and how did you convince her to take the challenge?
Well the song was done and we were thinking about a video. My manager, Ieva Georges showed me some footage of Faye dancing “The Nutcracker” at the Holland Dance Festival in 2006 (before her injury). While watching the video we muted the sound and played Feel It over it. I was hooked. I needed Faye to dance for the video. It was such a perfect fit. We asked Faye and she jumped at the opportunity to dance once again. When we learnt of Faye's story we were stunned. She danced so beautifully and gracefully that no one watching her dance could ever have know the pain she had gone through. Faye is an inspiration to all of us and words cannot express how honored and grateful I am to have my video and my song be part of her inspiring story.
You’re currently working on your debut EP – what can we expect from it and when will it be released?
Right I'm working with my amazing producer/songwriter Jonathan Smith (aka TheRealJonSmith) and we’re aiming for a 3 track EP with 3 videos to accompany each song. We're currently in post production on the second song/video titled "Shine". We shot the video in Utah with the award winning director Jonathan Martin and the brilliant set/costume designer Clark Schaffer (from Iron Man, Batman, Star Trek etc… fame). We’re hoping to shoot the third video back in Ireland with some Game Of Thrones related themes. So all in all it’s gonna be a busy next few months. We’re still trying to decide on a release date. Being independent means I can say “it’ll be ready when it’s ready” which is both a blessing and a curse.
Where do you find the inspiration for your music and what does the songwriting process look like?
My songs are born from emotion. I sit down with my guitar and let emotion write the song. So almost always the music comes first, then a melody and then the words just come. My songs, for me, always have a definite meaning. They are almost always about an experience I've gone through that has impacted me.
What would be your dream collaboration?
Damien Rice, Gemma Hayes and Sting… perfect! :) Love them so much. Such amazing songwriters in their own right.
If you weren’t a musician, what profession would you have?
Uh I dare not think about it ha ha. Music is everything to me and I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. I can't imagine not writing or preforming.
Any hobbies?
Video games. I'm a big gamer and a bit of a nerd. Can't live without my Xbox One and PS4.
What are your plans for the future?
After my upcoming EP and videos have been release I'll be hitting the studio with Jonathan Smith again to record a full length album. I'll then be touring US and Europe to promote the album and if all goes well a tour of Asia, Australia and the rest of the world thereafter. Looking forward to it.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?
I'd just like to say Feel It is out there right now and I would love for everyone go and check the video out. It would be so amazing if you could help spread the word by liking, interacting and sharing. Let's get Fayes powerful and inspiring story out there.
Have you "found“ any song lately that you would like to suggest to this blog?
So many songs, where to begin… Humm it's a bit of an old song at this stage but I'm gonna go with fellow Irish men Bell X1 and their amazing song Eve, the apple of my eye.
Aaaah, a classic 😊 Thanks a lot for the interesting answers and all the best for your future releases!
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