In this interview spotlight, we chat with Youel about influences, their latest project, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and a stream of their Fell The Fall EP below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
We’re from the big, ever-churning machine that is London, UK (love it really).
I’d like to think we make music that is honest in the stories it tells, and surprising in the different places it takes a listener to. We want to make something that feels exciting, always trying to go further with creating something that’s different and gives people something invigorating to listen to. Even when we’re taking elements from well-established genres, new and old, we want to put our own spin on them, and the two producers I work with (Tom Campbell & Poppy Kavanagh) are really incredible at making that happen.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
Out of all the arts, music is the most important to me. It’s the one I have always had the strongest instinct for- the one which seems to be the most fixed in my system. There isn’t much I enjoy more than writing with other musicians and playing live as a band. To be able to give to other people (even just a hint!), of what all the bands and musicians I love have given to me, would be the most rewarding thing I think I could do with my time.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
I think the songs are a bit more ambitious in this EP. They’ve really got a huge scope of sound electronically, whilst also leaving space for the indie elements to come through, and for the lyrics to take centre stage. Tom (producer) and I don’t really set out to do anything specific, it’s very ad-hoc/spontaneous in the studio! We’ll usually start by listening to tracks we’re really excited by, and that will set the tone for the feel of the track we want to make. Then we dive in and hope we come out the other side with something that makes sense haha.
Do you face challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? How has technology helped you (assuming it helps)?
It definitely helps. We got our publishing deal through a company (Audio Network) I found on twitter. I don’t think I’d have found them without it, and that’s helped us so much. In terms of challenges, having an online presence and following is so important but also so hard to grow to industry standards! Especially if you’re someone who doesn’t like spending hours online and social media.
In terms of music technology, it’s incredible what you can create with digital music software. If you can imagine it- you can create it now, so the freedom to be creative is unlimited. The ease of uploading it and sending it around in a short space of time also never ceases to amaze me.
Where can we connect with you online and discover more music?
Best place for all our music (new and old), is soundcloud and the new EP is on Spotify, itunes and Apple Music.
We’re also on the usual suspects: www.facebook.com/youelmusicuk, www.twitter.com/youeluk, www.instagram/youel_band and our website is www.youelmusic.com
Anything else before we sign off?
We’re hoping to release another EP with Audio Network in the Autumn so follow us somewhere on the internet and stay updated ☺ also feel free to say hi on facebook/twitter- we love to meet/connect with anyone who’s getting something out of the music!
