After originally breaking through with her stunning initial offerings 'Joy (Desita)' and 'Outta My Mind' in 2022, Ethiopian-English artist Yeshi now makes her eagerly-awaited return to deliver her vibrant new single 'I Remember The Night'.
Conjuring more of that rich and progressive aesthetic she first emerged with, 'I Remember The Night' makes for an incredibly broad and tantalising listen. With its smooth and breezy textures set to her emotive vocals throughout, she is returning to the fold in fine form throughout here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most recently.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The Piano.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Music that stands out from car journeys with my family is Dido, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Nina Simone, Sufijan Stevens, Wolfmother and Abba. I was obsessed with Lady Gaga when she released her debut album called The Fame when I was 8, I was fascinated by her music videos.
What was the first album you remember owning?
There are a couple of first albums I remember owning around the same time. So, there was The Fame by Lady Gaga and The Scissor Sisters debut album.
What is the one song you wish you could have written yourself?
Time by Jungle.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Specifically, I love finding quiet nature spots around the area I live in to sit down and write where I can remove all distractions. Whether that’s sitting on the beach, going for a walk, or a bike ride and then finding a bench I can sit on that has a nice view in front of me. I like to meditate, find inspiration from listening to other musicians too.
Who are your favourite artists that you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Honestly, I listen to so many different artists all of the time, I can’t pinpoint a selective few at the moment. Right now, I am listening to Afro House remixes of classic Hip Hop, Afrobeat, and Pop songs.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Kendrick Lamar.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Music is my life; dedicating my life to my music is my reward. Everyday is different, and I love being open to the possibility of what each day may bring.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is trying to manage all of the extra responsibility that comes with being an independent artist in this digital age, which includes working multiple jobs and trying to support myself.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“All that matters is that you are making something you love, to the best of your ability, here and now. In terms of priority, inspiration comes first. You come next. The audience comes last.” - Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being.
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Yeshi's new single 'I Remember The Night' is out now. Check it out in the player below.