YEDD’s Raw Recollections

A conversation with an underrated and unfiltered artist

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “YEDD is ___” or “YEDD’s music is ___”?

“YEDD is a collective artist who works with various media, including images, videos, music, and choreography.” It is always difficult to define my music, but I can say what I want to do through it: cry when people cry and be angry when people get angry.

Who or what first inspired you to pursue a music career?

In my teenage years, I started making music that resembled that of Ed Sheeran or Brooke Fraser. But after I changed my artist name to “YEDD,” my main inspiration and music crush became Billie Eilish. I love the uncensored energy and messages she gives off with her art.

How much of your true self and lived experiences are in your music compared to how much is fiction?

I'd say almost none of it is fiction, [although] I use some metaphors to avoid hurting people I am mentioning.

Please talk about your newest single, “Ugly.”

“Ugly” first started with a question: What if the Sleeping Beauty was actually a Sleeping Ugly? So many fables in our society depict and idolize an image of an innocent, pure, and untainted human figure who raises a voice about holy things. But I wanted the ugly figure, which represents the dark side that people want to hide, to be the protagonist of my story. That was the starting point.

I wanted to picture a scene where a dirty, filthy woman is entering a sanctuary that she is not allowed to enter. That gives metaphors about how we can reach out to things [that we assume we] are not allowed to because of social pressure.

Out of all of your songs, which one seems to resonate with the most people? Why do you think that is?

Based on [data], the most applauded song is “Colorless,” but the masses love easy sounds - not technically easy, but easy to listen to without thinking too deeply or becoming too sentimental - so based on that, the [most popular] song [is] “Stuck Outside.”

I admire how emotional and intense your songs are. How do you find the courage to make music about such serious and sensitive topics?

It just comes out of my heart. As a normal freelancer, doing my everyday job to afford my life, I always have to hide what I want to do - writing useless sentences, lyrics, songs that will never get me any money. Music naturally became a place where I can be just as I am. I can spit out everything hiding in the shadow of everyday life. I don't put effort into thinking of sensitive sentiments or inventing ways to intensify the mood. It is always there when I stand in front of music.

School bullies, violence in the family, failures… I needed a place to pour out what stuffed my mind, and music was the optimal place to do that.

Would you rather have your music be considered a source of encouragement or a source of advice, and why?

My aim through music is to mourn with those who mourn, so I don't intend to give any form of advice to anybody. I want people to just listen, experience it, and feel what they need to feel at that time in their lives.

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

My only goal is to make better music and art over time. I have no goal, but an aim to improve.

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?

“YEDD, ignore everything other than the music itself and keep improving! Make more music.”

Check out YEDD’s album, Pain Is My Crown, here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photo credit: Instagram.