Prior to the release of next month’s new EP Barbie Demons, we caught an interview with artist and songwriter Yes Daddy, to find out more about the project, songwriting and creative inspirations in general, and hopes for the future. Here’s how it went.
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Hey – thanks for the interview, and congrats on the upcoming release! For those who don’t know, what is Yes Daddy all about – why the name, and how long have you been making music?
The name was the hardest thing to pick before I started making music. I like to think that it’s more acceptable to have the name Yes Daddy and release emo pop music than it would’ve been in the 80’s.
I’ve been making music for nine years. It’s evolved to a different sound than when I started and from what I wanted but I love where I’m at right now. It’s just the fact I can release a weird, lofi , R&B tape, and then switch over to a dark tape we’re working on.
What can you tell us about Barbie Demos – what inspired this, and what does the release mean to you?
Pop culture and Girls inspired this tape. Barbies are perfect and plastic and it reminded me of a lot of girls and heartbreak. Lots of black atlass, Cazzu, and a lot of pop songs. This release to me is another check on this list of albums and tapes made. I have at least four more I wanna try to finish after this.
There’s a decidedly dreamlike, distant and hypnotic sound to the music. What would you say has influenced this style the most, and where do you imagine is the best setting for listeners to experience the EP?
Those YouTube videos that are supposed to sound like you’re in the bathroom of a party and a sad pop song comes on. That and John Hughes movies. I think the best possible setting for listeners to hear this is when they wanna cry and make edgy Instagram posts.
Do you produce your own music, and if so – what comes first, production or vocal-play?
I didn’t produce for this tape but for a few of my other releases I have.
Do you write songs from personal emotions and experiences, and if so – how does it feel to listen back to them, and what do you hope people take away from listening?
A lot of the lyrics I use come from emotional places from my life good or bad. I’m always nervous about showing people my music and it being me saying something that would make people worry about me or something but I’m getting over it. I hope people just like it enough to listen all the way through.
Sad Girl in particular has a slightly organic sound to its instrumental. Do you play any instruments, and is there a live-band or acoustic potential to what you do, in terms of live shows or alternative versions?
I play guitar, bass, and a little piano. I’d love to play a bunch of my songs with a more live instrumentation to them. My dream is to be able to make enough good music to when I turn thirty and can make Bright Eyes inspired music.
Is it easier to write during times of sadness or melancholic reflection, and if so, why do you think that is?
I think it’s one of the most productive times to write. That’s one of the few times where you’re feeling everything and got so much to rant about. People love happy songs, but they always gonna vibe with a sad song.
What’s a favorite lyric of yours from the project, and why?
“I’d turn down the brightness on everything but you a star shining, I can see you when I close my eyelids” – It’s just a really cool way to tell somebody that you think they’re special.
If you could sit down for a chat with anyone at all, past or present, who would you choose, and what would you ask them about?
I would really love to sit down with Brian Wilson and just talk about song writing, he’s a god.
Have the events of 2020 influenced your creativity at all?
2020 helped me make three projects and play a few local shows. I don’t really like to leave my house as is so this wasn’t a big difference.
What’s something about you that most people don’t know?
I love country music, not bro country but new red dirt country. Anything to do with my lyrics is mainly inspired by country songs.
What would be your dream venue or event to perform at?
Billy Bob’s is my dream venue to perform at. I feel like I could consider myself an accomplished musician the second I can play there.
What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given in life?
“If you can’t perform in front of a bunch of drunk old people how are you gonna perform anywhere else.”– sadboi”-“alex.
Is there anything else we should know?
Barbie comes out on Soundcloud for free on October 31st and my group is gonna be putting out a project soon.
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Grab the EP Barbie from October 31st. Follow Yes Daddy on IG for updates.
