What made you love music in the first place?

It was the first thing I really connected to that was just me. My parents listened to music but it was Persian music, always. I had to figure out American music and society by myself. It (music) helped me relate to others and find my own personality and identity that was away from my parents. It was a way to express myself and I was lucky I was good at singing. 

Where is your family from in Iran? 

My family is originally from Masuleh, Iran, but a lot of them live in northern Iran now. I actually named my publishing company after Masuleh. 

What’s it like when you visit?

Usually the night you get into Iran is the craziest. Everyone in your entire family will come to the airport to greet you. You’re already super jet lagged and tired from traveling because it takes an entire day of  to get there. Everyone is so excited though and it's reenergizing.

What makes you proud to be Persian?

The culture. It’s a really old country with rich history and beauty - that makes me proud. At the same time, it's really sad to be from a place that is pretty much in ruin. Especially knowing how great the history is, it's hard to see people struggling right now. There’s a lot of things going on right now.

How do you think your culture shaped you as an artist ?

 It made me resilient in the sense that I knew no one was going to believe in me until I really proved myself. I had to have an unwavering faith that it's going to work out. Growing up surrounded by doubt definitely makes it hard to keep faith though. To this day my family will ask me “when are you going to get a real job?” that being said, my background inspired me stylistically as well. It allows me to add elements to my music such as Persian instruments and give my viewpoint from where I'm from in my music. We have more in common than we do different, but where you grow up and how you grow up, it gives you a different perspective that others might not know. In a lot of my sessions, I’m one the first artist's that people have worked with that is Iranian and willing to talk about it in depth. It’s important for me to educate others on the Middle East and leave  a mark on the people I work with about where I’m from. 

 Do you have any industry friends from the Middle East?

I have some internet friends that are Iranian and doing music. It's really nice because you already have a level of understanding with one another. I’ve met a couple producers doing really cool stuff and it’s refreshing to see that visibility in the industry. One of my favorite Iranian artists right now is Snoh Alegra. 

What are some challenges you have faced in your career?

The pandemic was a huge challenge, as somebody who was predominantly a touring artist. It was definitely difficult to not only see my income but my source of expression just vanish in a year. It’s been difficult to pick up momentum since then. Another challenge is imposter syndrome and self doubt, constantly wondering “am I supposed to do this?” “is this going to work out for me?” but as time has gone on I've realized I can’t control pandemics and I can’t knock myself for losing momentum.  I think that being your own worst enemy is the worst thing you can do because at the end of the day all you have is yourself. That's been something I’ve had to implement. Instead of going to the worst case scenario, I try to go to the best case scenario. I feel like the more you think shitty things are going to happen to you, the more likely they are. 

It's only you and your story. Of course other people are coming in and out but if you don’t root for yourself, then what are we doing here? Which leads me to my next question - What’s your end of year wrapped look like, but for your thoughts and feelings?

Recently I’ve learned a lot talking to musicians and asking if they think it's bad I haven't written a full song in weeks or months, I realized  that the majority of us have had a hard time keeping momentum during this time. It's important to talk to your creative friends about these kinds of things, it's okay to struggle and to not know what lies ahead for you. It can be daunting, but it can also be exciting. Earlier this week I said to myself “I’m going to quit making music” and the next day something great happens and the universe is like “ why are you overreacting?!” I want to have a better attitude going into 2020 whatever the fuck. I want to take things less seriously and have more fun; I want to be in sessions and I want to learn.

How exactly do you write a song, what’s your creative process? 

It’s different every time. What I’ve found to be the most effective as of late is going on to youtube and typing “Clairo Type B” for example, and whatever I like I try and start writing to it.  Recently I went into a session and told my producer, “we’re going to write three songs in the next two days” we ended up writing two and a half. During one of them we almost wanted to end the session because we weren’t getting anywhere, we ended up moving on to a new idea and wrote a new song in 15 minutes. Sometimes lightning does strike when you’re with the right person, at the right time, playing the right chord-it’s this synchronicity of music. Those moments are beautiful but they aren't everyday. I’m trying to now implement a schedule of writing a song everyday and just see what happens. Song writing is a muscle and you have to keep using it and practicing in order to get better.

How often are you collaborating during song writing, or is it mostly just you?

Whenever I work with Bruce (producer) specifically, we’ll write together. He’ll let me take the reins on where the song is going to go, I’ll tell him how I’m feeling, what instruments I want to hear and the overall vibe. He will challenge me, which I think is such a great thing to have in a writing partner. He’ll say things like “I get what you’re saying, but let's make it stronger”. It’s hard to trust your instincts sometimes, and working with people that challenge my perspective helps me become a better songwriter.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out in music?

Know yourself. Do things that you normally wouldn’t, put yourself in experiences that challenge you, write everyday, as hard as that is. Writing everyday, you’re going to know who you are more, you’re going to understand your process more and that's going to make it easier for you. Also, don’t be in your head so much. It’s really hard to say to a creative person because we are all in our heads about our art, but you have to have fun.  Another piece of advice I would give people is in order to be an artist you have to reinvent yourself from time to time.  You can’t be afraid to evolve, you have to evolve sonically and how you present yourself as well. 

By writing do you mean songs specifically or in general?

Writing in general. I used to journal everyday for months and I would go back periodically and read what I said, if anything stood out to me I would underline it. When I would go to write a song I would reference my journal for inspiration, it's nice to have thoughts you’ve already started because you can take it to the next level. 

With your most recent album “Coexist With Chaos”, there’s a song called “World Is Burning” can you elaborate on the meaning behind the lyrics and what made you want to write this song ? 

“World Is Burning” was the first song I wrote for the EP. I wasn’t sure if it was even going to make the EP at first. I wrote it at the end of 2019 when Trump was saying “we’re going to bomb Iran” and during that time I also had a friend die from a drug overdose. It made me think that the world can be a really tough place where a lot of bad things happen, and of course people are going to find a way to escape. The world is corrupt and run by people who could care less if they lived or died. One of the lyrics is “you want money dollar bills, even though it only really kills and it never really heals how you feel inside” I felt like it was necessary to write about this and it remains relevant.  

Do you have a favorite song from “Coexist with chaos”?

"Guilty" because I feel like a lot of people connected with that song. It makes me happy that I was able to make something relatable from a really personal experience. "World Is Burning" is my favorite to perform, especially when I have my full band. 

I’m sure it’s a pretty special experience to perform in front of people. Do you ever get nervous?

I definitely still get nervous. Sometimes I get nervous about the weather, or just unfamiliarity. For example, when I played the main stage at "Underground Music Showcase" the forecast was thunder and lighting. I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to perform. When I played Mission Ballroom, that was one of the biggest venues I’ve played and I said to myself “holy shit, I’m one of the first people to perform at this venue, this is insane” also the first night of the Iyla tour was so nerve wracking because I knew that no one in the crowd knew who I was.

I can imagine. I get the worst stage fright. What helps?

I remember when I first started out with my first band I was so shy. I would stand there so stiff, grasping the mic, not making eye contact. One of my band mates was the opposite, I asked him one day how he’s able to perform with such confidence. He told me, “You know what Yasi, either way you're on stage. Are you going to give them a good show or be forgettable?” that really resonated with me and from that moment on I took more risks and chances. At this point I’ve also been performing for so long that it's become second nature. There have been times where I’ve felt like I had a bad show, and I’ll be in my head about it for two songs, and then remind myself that people are here. Regardless if it's 5 or 1000, they deserve a good show. 

Is there anything you want to use your platform for?

Yeah I think personally it’s important to be an artist with a cause. I’m passionate about reproductive rights and raising awareness for the entire Middle East, not just Iran. I want to highlight more Middle Eastern talent, whether it be music, art, film, astronauts or olympians. Our region deserves to be seen and celebrated. I haven’t experienced real celebration for where I’m from in my entire life. When I was on tour it was during the Muslim ban, I talked a lot about how it affected my family. Venezuela is included in the ban even though they’re not muslim and after the show two Venezuelan kids came up to me and told me how much they appreciated me talking about it. 

It’s inspiring to hear someone you look up to speak about things that might be difficult, it gives the rest of us permission to stand up for what we believe in. That being said, do you have anything coming up that you’re looking forward to?

Yes, I have a bunch of new music coming. I have so many songs that I’m so excited about, it's some of the best I’ve made. I might have a single drop by the end of the year and if not the beginning of next year. 

You recently moved to Los Angeles from Denver, what inspired you want to move and how are you adjusting?

Honestly I’m a little overwhelmed. From what I’ve been learning, everyone knows everybody but you have to get in the door.  So far the door is propped open but I haven't walked through it yet. That being said I'm so excited to be here. LA has great musicians, artists and so much more opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of artist I become. I will always love Denver, it taught me so much about who I am but unfortunately the music scene there is so much smaller than it is in LA. In order to rumble in the jungle you have to go to the jungle, and now I’m in it.

What drives you as an artist?

It's "that song", whatever "that song" is.  I want to write a song that I’m blown away by. I know at my core I will always be a musician but I know being a musician doesn’t last forever. I’m looking forward to seeing where my career goes and what other creative endeavors it takes me to. I have developed such a love for graphic design and typography and building that skill purely came from me being a musician. 

If you could work with anyone in the industry, who would you choose and why?

There are so many.  I love Remi Wolf, I’d love to work with her and see her process. She produces and writes her own shit and I think that's really dope.  On a production side, like dream, fucking dream, would be Radiohead. I would die if I got to work with Radiohead. 

Yasi's newest album:

"Coexist With Chaos" 

Instagram:

@yasimuse