HH: Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to pursue your path as a musician and creative? You were born in the Bronx, moved to Florida at a young age, and have recently moved back to New York. How have these places and cultural influences formed your path?

Y: I’ve been creative as long as I can remember. Working in a creative field is just always something I thought I’d do. I think the places I’ve lived have definitely influenced the art I make. Florida is the only place I’ve lived that I have any memory of, but I’ve always been attracted to New York. The feeling of living in Florida is always present in my music to me, but so are feelings I’ve experienced in visiting New York. Music has finally allowed me to move back here which has been a dream of mine for a long time.

HH: I saw on your Instagram that you’ve posted quite a few cooking photos (the raw vegan sweet corn ice cream looks AMAZING!) and some gorgeous landscape shots. I’ve also read about your history with skateboarding. If you didn’t pursue music, what would you be doing right now? What are your passions outside of music that we haven’t heard about yet?

Y: If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably be working in some other creative field. I love making music because it allows me to do a bunch of other creative things like direct music videos, design cover art, or design merch. I’d probably still be doing stuff like that for other people. I love cooking, customizing clothes, building furniture, and all kinds of things. I’d be happy doing most of those things I think.

HH: In the past, you’ve mentioned you hadn’t gone to many shows or performed in many yourself. Now, you’ve had several shows, have plans to tour the US and Europe later this year, and signed with Sub Pop Records (CONGRATS!) What has this experience been like? What have been your favorite parts of performing live and preparing to go on tour, and what challenges have you faced?

Y: Touring in the US and Europe has been really exciting for me. I’ve gotten to see a lot of new places for the first time and meet new people too. Getting to watch the bands I’ve opened up for on tour has taught me a lot since I hadn’t been to many other shows. But now I’ve been going to more shows and getting ideas to bring back to my own live show. Being on stage in general was kind of scary for me during my first few shows, but I got used to it and now I love it.

HH: Who are some of your favorite artists, and what are some of your favorite creative movements or musical genres? Who do you feel inspired by? If you could create a “super group” with musicians or producers from any era, who would you choose to collaborate with?

Y: Some of my favourite artists are Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Dirty Projectors, Regina Spektor, and a lot more. For the last few years especially I’ve been mostly influenced by hip hop. There’s so many new sounds that I’m constantly amazed by. A super group is so hard for me to come up with! It would probably just be my favourite musicians and I trying to come up with songs, but I’m not sure how musically compatible we’d all actually be.

HH: If you had to describe your musical persona and process in three adjectives, which would you choose? Can you tell us a little bit about the process you employ for creating your songs, videos, and albums?

Y: Tedious, fun, and satisfying. I get very caught up in details when I’m creating. Sometimes it’s annoying because I spend so much time focusing on things that aren’t really that important. But I also have a lot of fun when I create. It’s satisfying to have all of my ideas result in something I’m really happy with.

HH: I believe that the communities artists are a part of are foundational for artists’ growth and inspiration. How do you exist in your specific creative community, and do you have any plans to build or expand the community you’re involved in or want to be involved in in the future?

Y: I’ve always been very artistically isolated. I never really left home much and would just sit in by bedroom and create by myself. I’ve always controlled every aspect of my music and the packaging of it. I’ve had the chance to work with so many new people lately like my live band or people I collaborate on music videos with. I’m excited to continue creating a community and work with more people on my future projects and theirs.

HH: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians? Any recommended viewing, listening, or reading for other creatives?

Y: Just keep creating and don’t let a fear of failing stop you. I’d recommend Gary Vee as some recommended viewing. Watching his videos on YouTube and Instagram has always given me a new outlook on my career and creativity. He’s been supportive of me and a lot of others too. He likes use his platform to shine a light on the people he sees doing things he likes and I hope to do more of the same.

Hello, Yuno