Aya Yves (in)Sanity Interview

Dark-pop, electro-pop… Sounds like CXLOE, Banks.

Layered with smooth, dreamy vocals, passionate lyrics which tell a tumultuous love story, and a hook that will imprint itself into the minds and hearts of all who hear it, Aya Yves has immediately added herself to the ranks of Australian pop divas like BANKS and CXLOE with this debut. Collaborating to develop her sound with one of Australia's most gifted and versatile producers Xavier Dunn (Jack River, CXLOE, Graace, Carmada, Peking Duk), Aya Yves is a talent that is gearing up to turn the Aussie music scene upside down.

Interview with Aya Yves

Question: How would you describe your music?

Aya Yves: Simply put- alternative pop music. I'd say the songs are narrative driven, electronic soundscapes smack bang full of emotion.


Question: How does it feel to be compared to CXLOE and Banks?

Aya Yves: When I read that for the first time, I did a happy dance. They're both such incredible artists. Banks was one of the first electronic female artists I really fell in love with, well back before I ever imagined I'd start making electronic music. I think she was one of the catalysts in me starting to experiment with different sounds. CXLOE is such a powerhouse too. She keeps impressing me with every new song she puts out.


Question: Can you tell us about (in)Sanity?

Aya Yves: It was the first song I'd written that felt different. I'd had the hook circling in my head for weeks. I was at a festival with my band, sat my guitarist down and asked him to play some chords on loop. They had to be based around the hook as it sits on my vocal break and utilises the flip between my chest and head voice.

A few weeks later I applied for the YWCA Creative Ydeas small grant with the intention of getting a single produced.

I sent a voice memo to Xavier Dunn (who's work I've followed and loved for years) asking him to come on board. I was so nervous walking into that session- but as soon as Xav started working his magic I knew it was the right decision. He took the song to a world I didn't ever imagine I'd be in but it felt like home.


Question: What inspired (in)Sanity?

Aya Yves: I was in the first few weeks of seeing someone new and was starting to see that it could go somewhere. One night they pulled the classic "not ready for a relationship" line and I said that was fine. When really, it wasn't. I know myself; I fall way too hard way too quick and I knew exactly how it would end but I decided to go ahead with it anyway. (in)Sanity is all about knowing that a relationship dynamic is bad for you but going into it full steam ahead hoping the course will change.


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

Aya Yves: Allowing yourself to feel whatever you need to- be whole in your emotions. To be in your own power, and unapologetic for the space you take up.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Aya Yves: Had you asked me this six months ago, it hands down would've been performing. My entire musicianship has been based around the stage. I performed long before I ever wrote a song- I started writing songs when I was 13, because I knew that my favourite performing artists were also songwriters, telling their own stories. I have quite a big personality and a stage allows for that, without ever feeling like you need to shrink yourself to be appropriate. I feel most myself on stage. It's the space I connect with people the most- seeing them sing along, move, cry, laugh- it just shows the power of connection through music.

After these last six months I have just as much love for the studio. To come together with other creatives and work to write the best song possible or come up with the best production- whilst keeping the emotion at the centre of everything- is a challenge, and it's super fun. Lyrical integrity and emotional connection are paramount. Keeping those in the recording process when you've spent all day on a song and you don't have an audience's energy to feed off can be hard, and I love a challenge. I'm always wanting to better every aspect of my artistry, so I love pushing myself out of my comfort zone.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Aya Yves: This is a hard one to answer, because most of the AYA songs have been written in the studio and haven't been taken out to the world yet. We're getting ready for our first gig at the moment and figuring out all the live arrangements- it's all super exciting, but also incredibly nerve wracking, because this is the first time in my career where I have a whole catalogue of songs that haven't been shared with the world yet!


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Aya Yves: Ah it's too hard to pick someone! I think I'd have to say Justin Vernon. I want to work with him so bad, and I feel like if he saw the show it'd be more achievable. Also, Maggie Rogers- because she gives so much of herself when she performs, and I guess I want to energy exchange back to her!

Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Aya Yves: Expression. Connection. Knowing that there's someone out there that could get the emotional release they need through my music. Music is so powerful, and in my experience, encourages people to make changes for the better. I've been incredibly privileged to have had people along my journey who've shared deeply personal stories with me, and how my music got them through those times.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Aya Yves: BANKS, Bon Iver, Billie Eilish, Dermot Kennedy, Maggie Rogers are always my go to's- but that being said I'm always listening for Aussie artists on the rise. Loving Eluera, SADBOii, XIRA at the moment and you guys don't even know what's going to hit you when Bri Clark releases her music. Prepare the tissues.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Aya Yves: It's hard to pick a point where it started to be honest. I feel like it was written into my DNA- I can't remember a time where I didn't want to be a singer. The starting point that feels right to me is at Cobargo Folk Festival- I was about six years old and entered my brother and I in a youth music competition. The prize was a spot performing at the National Folk Festival the same year. We didn't win, but they decided to give us a spot anyway. That year I saw Kristina Olsen play to a pretty big crowd, and it was just her telling stories with a guitar- which seemed really achievable to me.

But moving into electronic music was brought on by a few artists- Bon Iver's '22 a Million' album was a huge shift for me. The incredible music production, the stacked vocals just really hit me into in a new space. Maggie Rogers made me realise you could make pop music and still connect with people on a deep level. Due to growing up in an alternative music scene, I used to have this narrow-minded view that you couldn't make pop without being shallow. Which looking back is so crazy, some of the most emotional artists are in the commercial industry. (Lewis Capaldi, Adele, Billie Eilish- just to name a few).


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Aya Yves: I think Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) is top of the list. But I have a pretty big list haha. FINNEAS is close to the top too. Lorde, BANKS, Julia Michaels, JP Saxe... just too many. Better get to work!

Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Aya Yves: Oh boy. I don't feel like I've reached musical success yet. I've definitely had some moments worth celebrating though.

I guess at the end of the day the biggest struggle is self-confidence and belief. I think that's what it comes down to for everyone. Also, burnout. Anyone around me knows that I'm always on the go, always onto the next project, and finding ways to fund the project. There aren't enough hours in the day to begin with, let alone when you're self- managed and completely independent.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Aya Yves: Depends on the day of the week!

A typical weekday is wake up, coffee (probably the most integral part of the day), beach if I get up early enough, studio all day, go home, add to my investment in UberEats (I should own shares in the company) and work till early hours of the morning doing admin. Whether it's booking shows, social media planning, booking writing sessions, invoicing... there's a lot to keep me busy.

Weekends are filled with cover gigs at the moment to pay for all the artistry! Definitely need a holiday soon (laughs).


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Aya Yves: I love all of it. I love the business side of things and challenging myself intellectually but am incredibly creatively brained, so the artistic side of things is my favourite. If I had to pick one, it'd be connecting with people though. That's always at the core of my motivation.


Question: What's next, for you?

Aya Yves: Get ready for the next release! Book in more live shows. Build a huge live show. Start writing the next record. So many things - I'm so excited!


Question: Can you share your socials?

Aya Yves: Facebook.com/ayayvesmusic
@ayayvesmusic
@ayayvesmusic


Interview by Brooke Hunter