The Eighth Note is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians. A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music. Up next is Yann Le Dorre, who records under the moniker YOLK.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
My name is Yann Le Dorre and my band is called YOLK(Laughs). YOLK plays a style of acoustic music coined as “Gutter – Folk”, which is sort of a catharsis of lyrical cynicism and “pretty” guitars. The band currently consists of Baxter Perry on lead guitar, Davin Ojala on bass, Josh Dominikovich on drums and myself on acoustic guitar and vocals.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
We released our album Sleeping Country in March , as an ode to the Waimea Plains and crippling inner city pain. The album has a country dirge feel to it and was recorded entirely on a lo-fi microphone system I built. As far as the way is concerned we have already recorded our next release, in a very hi-fi format (1/2 inch tape) and are hoping to get the thing out there by the end of the year.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Spotify.
Instagram.
Facebook.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
MTV Unplugged – Nirvana
Rust Never Sleeps – Neil Young
Pink Moon – Nick Drake
N is a good letter!
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
We recently brought in Tessa from Mystery Waitress to do some vocals on a track (unreleased album), and her angelic voice is tears to my ears, so working with her again would be awesome. Otherwise WOMB!
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Vogelmorn Bowling Club, super cosy and intimate! perfect for listening audiences.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
God speaks and I cry(kidding), The songs are lost times and futures hopes put to paper. I usually sigh in my room, one half at a time until I can make it through the second chorus. I then take the words and chords and give the band free rein to fly.
Where/when is your next gig?
A Matinee performance with Violet Hirst at Futuna Chapel on August 7th.