Interview - Yanni Burton
Yanni Burton warmest of welcomes to Spill the Tea!
For anyone who hasn’t listened to your music before give us a brief introduction.
Hi and thanks for having me! I’m going to dive in and say my music is a big bowl of gay chill pop. I try to write from the heart about relationships, come and gone. Production wise, I’m deeply influenced by Tove Lo, Troye Sivan and Robyn.
When did you first discover you wanted to make music?
I’ve been drawn to music for as long as I can remember. The first piece of music I created was on the double bass at age 10. It was quite the sight, a baby Yanni holding this huge instrument performing for mum and dad.
Who were your music inspirations growing up?
I was your quintessential early 2000’s in the closet kid; I was listening to Beyoncé, Evanescence, Pink! and NSYNC. Who knows why it took me so long to come out?
You studied at the prestigious Juilliard school in Manhattan, what did you study and why?
I went to Juilliard for my masters in Orchestra Double Bass Performance. It was always a dream of mine to move to New York. The double bass provided that avenue and opportunity for me, so I just worked my butt off and aimed my sights at getting into Juilliard, and I was lucky enough to make it, and I’m still living and working in NYC 10 years later!
You have performed alongside an impressive list of artists such as John Legend, Natasha Beddingfield, Michelle Williams and Rufus Wainwright what was the best thing you learnt from either artist?
I think the one thing that was consistent between John, Rufus and Michelle was their confidence and the level of preparation and professionalism they brought to the table. Working with these incredible artists taught me discipline and confidence and to always show up prepared.
John Legend and Rufus Wainwright then helped you obtain a green card, both writing letters to support your residency. How did that feel to have backing from two iconic artists?
I was being pretty bold to reach out to them and ask for reference letters! John Legend and Rufus Wainwright were very understanding and generous and I'm pretty sure I owe my green card to them!
“ I was always overweight as a kid so my fitness journey has become a very important part of my life, and I like to share the goals and achievements! Music and fitness gave me a level of confidence and work ethic I never really had as a kid. “
Last year you dropped your single ‘Worth it’– Describe the single in 5 words.
Gays drinking rosé in summer.
What were the inspirations behind the track?
The production inspiration behind the track was exactly the above. I said to my producer I want a chill, summer song, picture a bunch of gays on some rooftop in Manhattan drinking rosé - he nailed it. The lyrics are a little more specific… they’re about the early stages of love and being totally head over heels for someone, but you’re still not sure how they feel, and you have all those insecurities fluttering about.
Your latest release that just dropped is a remix of your track ‘Mess Around’. What made you want to release remixes for this track?
I love collaborating with different artists, and working on a remix is an extension of that. There’s nothing more exciting than handing over something you create, and then seeing it totally transformed into something new!
What is the story behind the track?
The remix of this track was done by Pool Cosby, a sample-based electronic trio from NYC made up of producers Jacuzzi Jefferson, Kevin Kuh, and Otto Botté. I’m obsessed with their work and I thought it would be a perfect chance to create something based on their sonic world. The lyrics were inspired by a fleeting romance I had in a castle in Germany one summer after ending a relationship. I found a new emotional and physical confidence there, which inspired me to write the song.
If you could collaborate with any artists dead or alive who would it be and why?
ooh, that’s such a tricky one, and so many to pick from! But someone who I absolutely love and is kind of random is Arvo Part, a 78-year-old Estonian classical music composer. His compositions are so heartfelt, moving and cinematic. Some of his work is so simple but emotional that I think we could make some really sincere and romantic songwriting together!
Your Instagram shows off a lot of skin! ;) Do you ever feel that the attention you receive helps or takes away from your music?
I was always overweight as a kid so my fitness journey has become a very important part of my life, and I like to share the goals and achievements! Music and fitness gave me a level of confidence and work ethic I never really had as a kid. But long story short, a little skin can help the streams ;)
Any last shout outs?
A huge shoutout to Pool Cosby for the incredible remix they made for Mess Around and to Kevin William Reed who created the stunning art work for the track!
You can find their work here @poolcosby / @kevinwilliamreed / Spotify
Check out the ‘Mess Around’ Video below.
Click here to check out Yanni Brown’s music on Spotify.
Photography Credit Courtney Charles