Inspired #198 - Yna
Alt-folk artist Yna mystifies and captures our hearts with new single ‘unaligned’, she took a moment to tell us about the inspirations behind her music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
Frank Ocean - I don’t think there’s anything/anyone quite like Frank Ocean. There’s just something about his songwriting and melodies that make you feel something. His music sucks you into what feels like this deep void, but you’re ok with that because it somehow also makes you feel like you’re on top of the world, and everything below you is insignificant. And suddenly it’s just you, the view, and Frank Ocean.
Phoebe Bridgers - Phoebe is a literal poet and I think that’s what captivates me the most about her besides, of course, her angelic voice. One of my favorite lyrics is from her song “Chinese Satellite”, and it goes “Drowning out the morning birds // With the same three songs over and over // I wish I wrote it, but I didn't so I learn the words”. Like, who wouldn’t be struck by that? It’s just so beautiful and her lyrics always remind me that music is just more than the song itself. It’s a complicated, intangible thing that you have to dissect to really realize how beautiful it is. From the lyrics, the emotions, the details, and most importantly, the stories.
Jeremy Zucker/Chelsea Cutler - I put both of them here just because they’re like tied in my heart. I honestly think both Jeremy and Chelsea are one of the most influential people in my music, Jeremy for his insane production skills and Chelsea for her raw lyricism. Both SO underrated. When they collab together like when they did for Brent and Brent ii (which just released on Feb 5th), their voices blend together so beautifully it sounds ethereal. They both make you feel heartbroken and yet in love at the same time. Or lost and yet found. I think you can get from my explanations that I’m an absolute sucker for the lyrics and stories in a song, they just tell more. And that’s why I love all these artists the most because they keep inspiring me to do that: tell a story.
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
I honestly hate questions like this only because I literally cannot choose my favorite film, let alone one that’s struck me since A LOT have haha. But I guess the most recent one I’ve watched that really inspired me was, “Soul”, on Disney+. It emphasizes the eye-opening truth that: it’s not about finding the meaning of life, because life is the meaning. It’s the sheer joy you have when it starts raining or snowing. Or when you find the perfect song on a night drive to scream to. Or when the leaves change color and the birds are huddled in v-shapes around the sky. It’s holding on to these intangible, small, yet powerful moments in life because this is living. And realizing that inspired me so much because just like many other people, I have been so indulged with the idea of having to find my purpose or having to find meaning in everything except life itself. We become so fixated on the competition within our own communities and even ourselves that everything eventually becomes just that: this desire to be the best or perfect. So to be woken up by that message from the movie pushed me to better embrace life and living as a whole instead of searching for something that’s already right in front of me.
What city do you find the most inspiring?
I know a lot of people say New York, but it really is a life-changing experience when you visit there. I’ve only been there twice in my life and have always felt this shift in energy. Maybe because I’m somewhere new, where people don’t know who I am and I don’t know who they are. Maybe. But as a creative, you become so inspired by the environment around you and New York has this specific thing about it. I guess it’s because it’s always been glorified on T.V., but I don’t know, I just love that feeling when you’re walking around Times Square, and just like any other artist or musician, you look up at the big screens and hope you’re up there one day. Then someone bumps into you and curses at you, but then you laugh because well, you’re here. And all of a sudden everything seems to freeze and I almost don’t feel like I’m existing at that moment, with all these ideas that start racing in my head. Then everything unfreezes and you’re standing there, trying to keep up with not only those ideas, but everyone else.
Who is the most inspiring person to you?
My little sister, Chloe. The most talented, wise, and ethereal human being, who’s saved me countless times. I literally owe everything to her, I can even say my own existence because that’s how powerful of an impact she’s had in my life. Like most sibling relationships, we didn’t get along at all in the beginning, but as we grew up and matured (she did before me to be honest), we became each other’s anchors. I feel like when you’re surrounded by critical and undermining people, it’s so freaking relieving to have someone else under the roof to keep you grounded and sane. I’m grateful Chloe came into my life because I honestly don’t think I could’ve done it without her. Through her insane artistic abilities, powerful songwriting, and all-around warm heart, she doesn’t even realize how much of a difference she’s made in not only my life, but I’m sure countless others and more. A lot of my strength and drive to keep pushing in my work, school and art is really because of her. And I just know that everyone else will be struck by her talent and heart. So Chloe, thank you.
What were your inspirations when writing your new single?
I wrote this song last year on a Wednesday night, the first of January. And it was the first voice memo where I ever cried while recording. I honestly can’t remember the exact reason why I wrote it, let alone the meaning behind every lyric that seemed to come out so naturally that night. But I remember feeling so angry and frustrated at myself, that after a year of trying to recover from a stupid break up text, I still missed her, I still felt lonely, and I still hated myself. I felt so unaligned because there were moments where I felt like I was healing and learning to love myself, only to be met with other moments that found me at my worst. So this song happened, and even though I felt like I was at my lowest that night, I also never felt more proud of myself.
It’s a contradicting song. For one, the chords sound bright even though it’s about me struggling with the internal battles I have with myself. And two, you hear me contrasting every lyric and verse as I’m talking to myself in the song. But I think that’s what I love most about this, the fact that in all its contradicting nature, it perfectly exemplifies what I was and still am feeling. This song is meant for those who can’t seem to pinpoint exactly where they are in their own journey. This song is meant for those who struggle with recurring insecurities, doubts, depression, anxiety, etc, while trying to maintain a strong veneer.
This song is meant for the unaligned souls.
How would you like to inspire people?
It’s funny because in every college application, interview, or ice-breaker I had, this was always my answer whenever they asked what I wanted to do in life: to inspire someone. Not even people, but just someone. And I don’t think I realized exactly how I would’ve been doing it if not for music. I mean, I’ve been singing since I was 4 and learned to play the guitar, uke, and piano at 9, but I didn’t see how much music meant to me until I was probably 16, when I performed at my high school’s talent show my junior year. I wrote this song called, “I’m Leaving”, about me trying to leave the insecurities and doubts that I still have, and I remember a classmate telling me how much it meant to her. I kept thinking, really? Like this song? So eventually I kept writing more and more and finding the confidence to share all the things going on in my head and putting it on paper, through music, and I just knew right then and there that this is how I want to keep inspiring people. And for someone who’s always been in a constant battle with doubt and insecurity--as I know many others have--music is the one thing I feel like I’m good at. So I hope that my words inspire anyone, and that they heal you in some way.