Interview: Talking With Yafania About Her Debut Single “Front Row”
At 18 years old and with talent that belies her years, soft pop-rock artist Yafania has already discovered how to be her true self and that’s through music.
With her recently released debut single/music video, “Front Row,” Yafania burst onto the scene with a bold statement of strength and solidarity. More than just a song; it’s a call to action for those ready to stand by the person they love through hardships.
There is no better way to tell the story contained within a smart, well-crafted pop song than a fully realized music video. Walking through rustic, scenic landscapes near her home in Vancouver, British Columbia, Yafania makes her way to the horse stable just in time to be treated poorly by an unfriendly stableman.
After having dinner with the other farmers who make her feel worse, it’s clear she must pack her bags and extract herself from a toxic situation. She finds her way back under the sun, accompanied by her horse, where they both are liberated and free to bond with one another.
Guitar Girl Magazine spoke with Yafania to find out more about the inspiration for “Front Row” and her definitions of tone and success.
What three things can’t you live without?
Music, the people in my life, and it will sound like such a perpetuated stereotype for Gen-Z, but I always need to have my phone with me.
What inspired your debut single/music video “Front Row?”
‘Front Row’ was written at a time in my life when I felt I had to set a reminder for myself not to let people’s opinions overshadow my truth as an individual.
With both the single and music video for ‘Front Row’ there is that connection between the visuals on screen and the lyrics that showcase the feeling of being spirited but feeling pressured by the people around you to stay in your lane and land their expectations.
Who directed the video and where was it shot?
I had approached Said Khallaf, our director for the music video with a very rookie shot-by-shot of the entire concept for the music video and I was surprised to find out that my draft wasn’t so rough after all. Getting to step in a director’s chair with him, Darcy Muenchrath who served as our DOP and the rest of the crew was like stepping into my own little Western movie. We shot at Glen Valley Stables in British Columbia. The filming days were so much fun and being there with everyone on set was like watching my imagination come to life right in front of me.
What do you want viewers to take away from the video?
I want viewers to take away the importance of being true to themselves. The video is a narrative-style music video that mimics the storytelling of a short film, and it was my first attempt to blend my music with visuals. Even when it’s silenced, the story remains clear through the visuals. The core messages for viewers are to be yourself, stand up for what’s right, trust your instincts, and embrace your free spirit no matter the challenges.
Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you deliberately push it in a certain direction?
It’s natural and in the moment. I don’t like to confine myself to a box when writing my music. For all my songs, I went to write what I wrote because I liked writing it. Is that a tongue twister? Partially but that’s my answer.
How did you get started in music?
My beginnings have always had music. It’s always been an integral part of my growth into becoming an artist. From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to music as a way for me to learn more about myself. Sometimes I’ll write a lyric down and it helps me realize exactly how I feel in ways I wouldn’t have known otherwise, almost as if it’s a spotlight into how I feel. I’m grateful that I have an outlet like that and work towards sharing it with others.
What’s your definition of tone? And is your tone evolving? If so, in which direction?
The tone is the way an artist expresses their message to fit the emotions of the song. It’s a key part in music that I strive to capture in my artistry. I’ve written in different ways in the past, but dream-romance-pop has currently been a direction my music has been ushering towards at this point of my journey.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
Inspiration can be found and searched for everywhere and in everything. Sometimes I’ll be walking in the street, or I’ll be at home in my room and then a melody pops up and I feel the urge to work on it. For my music, the majority of the time the full chorus for a song will come intact with their melodies and lyrics and I work on finishing the composition.
What can you share about your writing process?
Caffeine. My writing process involves a lot of caffeine—just kidding (but there’s some truth to that). Honestly, my inspiration comes from various sources. Something I’ve learned throughout my process, though, is that I can’t write mechanically. I need to feel and connect with what I write. I feel the deepest connection when I write about moments—the realizations that hit and the surrounding events that lead to them.
In your opinion, which music artists are killing it right now?
So many artists are killing it right now. From off the top of my head, I’ll say JVKE, Livingston, and Madison Beer are teasing and releasing new music that sounds great!
What is your definition of success?
Success is celebrating your achievements with the people you love. It’s never been about the numbers; it’s about creating songs that can become a soundtrack to someone’s life moments. That’s the true measure of success in my opinion.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Live gigs? New music? Music videos?
Everyone should be keeping an eye out this summer. It’s safe for me to say, expect new music and more. Through ‘Front Row’ a lot of people can tell that I’m a very visual person. I love cinema as a medium and that extends over into the narrative music video that we made for this song. So, all I can say is that if you thought that ‘Front Row’ was cinematic on its own, ‘Front Row’ is just the beginning.
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