Stereoboard Talk To Singer-Songwriter Yoav About His Work & Anticipated Third Album (Interview)
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Written by Rachel Preece
Yoav is, at his simplest, a singer-songwriter, but he infuses trip-hop and electronic beats so well, he’s a difficult one to pigeonhole. He’s a one-man-band who presents multifarious, intricate sounds – it’s the sort of music that gives you goosebumps and makes for an eminently beguiling and passionate live show. I had the chance to catch up with the artist to chat about his work and highly anticipated third album.
Your music was heard by the ears of a Columbia Records exec at a remarkably early stage - can you tell us the story?
At the time I had just finished recording my first demos, fresh out of high school. A cousin of mine from New York was visiting and took a CD back with her in her handbag and the CD was still there when she attended a charity dinner in Long Island a few days later. She happened to be sitting next to a record executive from Columbia records and on a whim; he took the CD and listened to it in his car on the way home. The next day he played it for his music lawyer as well as the president of the label and I got a very surprising message that I needed to go to New York asap, which is when my journey began.
Your third album will be released this year, what can we expect? When will it be released?
It all depends how quickly the recording happens. I'm hoping to be done by festival season and ready for an autumn release, but sooner would be cool too.
I have some awesome song ideas, definitely a couple of cracking tracks in there. I am looking for the sound to evolve to something more produced and more electronic, possibly more pop too, but I will let the songs guide me. My first record was based around the acoustic guitar, but had a lot of minimal electronic ideas ,while the second record was more organic sounding and I definitely want to go much further with this one.
Can you give us the exclusive news as to what the title for the third album will be?
Ahh, that is still most undecided…with the last two records the title was the last thing to come together.
How did supporting Lykke Li come about?
I love Lykke's music and we were both up-and-coming new acts in 2008, so we toured the UK together. I learned a lot from that tour as she is killer live. I've also had the opportunity to tour with Underworld, the Ting Tings, Imogen Heap etc etc.
You've got a huge following in Denmark - why is that?
Before my first record was ever released, a DJ in Denmark discovered my tune Club Thing on MySpace, ripped it and played it on his radio show. The response was huge (my MySpace page was mobbed by Danish names) and I was invited to come to Denmark the following week to play on a radio show called the Black Scouts which had a huge listenership in that country. I played three songs live on the show and all went rather well and we watched my record climb to #1 on their iTunes chart and stay there. Since then I have played many festivals and sold out shows around Denmark and also become mates with and collaborated with several awesome Danish acts.
You've toured all over the world, what country has been your favourite to visit?
I have had adventures all over the world, so it's hard to pick just one. Visiting Russia is usually very rock 'n roll and the shows there are wild. I enjoy playing in my hometown , Cape Town as well, of course.
You've already played a couple of concerts in 2012, can we expect a tour from you sometime?
I am trying to focus on my new material full time, and after the record is ready, will take some time to pull together a new live show, with new gear/sounds/ideas... possibly even another player or two. If something especially cool comes up, I would be up for playing a show or two, but no full tour until year’s end, I reckon.
You’re from South Africa – which other SA musicians do you love?
Actually, I was born in Israel, but moved to South Africa as a youngster. I’m proud that Die Antwoord are South African. The DJ who makes their beats (Hi-tek) is pretty unique, but there are a lot of great up and coming DJs and electronic acts here. I recently did a collaboration with Cape Town DJs Pascal and Pearce and they are making waves elsewhere as well…
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You've got a huge following in Denmark - why is that?
