(EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW) yee loi: “Punk is whatever you want it to be"
Photo Credit:monk66
“School keeps us very grounded (laughs)” is how the members of Yee Loi describe the balance between their musical journey and day-to-day life. When not touring with Adam Ant, the three members are telling their stories through punk songs such as the latest single “Poor Girl". At just 16 the girls of Yee Loi write in-depth stories layered by their own family experiences.
At a young age, one would think such stories would evolve over time when the teenage angst had subsided. Instead, the members draw strength and focus on positivity, resilience and strength as they accurately describe that “too many songs are too negative, and by highlighting resilience and strength, we show a more positive outlook.” 'Punk' is a term that is easily overlooked, especially when spearheaded by young women. But if anything, that lights a fire and keeps them making music they want without caring about others' opinions.
'Headstrong' and 'determined' are easy terms to attach to these musicians, but as our chat shows, they are carefree and free-spirited. Not thinking too hard to come across a certain way and being on a path that some musicians can end up walking down. A refreshing air of youth travels through their words, although statements that are to the point and not strung with empty words. So, meet the members of Yee Loi who are not just band members but siblings too, Rose and Matilda, who’ve recently been joined by third sibling Don Don on bass.
SpinVybe: You've been described as the future of punk. How do you personally define what punk means to Yee Loi right now?
Yee Loi: Punk is whatever you want it to be. To be Yee Loi just means rocking without caring what other people think.
SpinVybe: The latest single, “Poor Girl”, is an in-depth story of a young woman overcoming life challenges and draws from your grandmother's experiences. How important is it to you both to tell these stories?
Yee Loi: I think it is important because people are so quick to ignore these stories, and by sharing them in song form, they get heard.
SpinVybe: Following that, do you feel it’s important to highlight that strength and resilience in your songwriting?
Yee Loi: I do feel that is important because too many songs are too negative, and by highlighting resilience and strength, they show a more positive outlook.
SpinVybe: 'Yee Loi' means 'two girls' in Cantonese. Do you find it's important to bring your heritage into your music, and particularly the punk rock scene even more so?
Yee Loi: Well, there’s certainly no one else doing it! We kind of did it by accident; it wasn’t really a statement, so to say.
SpinVybe: How do you find girls in the music scene? As we know, girls can face a tougher time navigating male-dominated spaces. And would you see yourselves as role models to younger girls who want to be artists?
Yee Loi: Hell yes! I think there should be more female role models in the punk/rock scene, because it's harder to be taken seriously as a female and/or recognised for the INTENDED aspects of being a female musician. Most other women in the scene have the same sort of outlook and are very supportive, though some don’t really have a girls-support-girls attitude, which I think is wrong, as there already isn’t enough of us to begin with!
SpinVybe: I’m sure, like many children growing up, you found love for music; yours came from your dad’s record collection. Was there a particular artist or song that you remember that sparked a love for music?
Yee Loi: There was the summer that I discovered the wonders of the Ramones whilst riding in the back of my auntie's car with the windows down; particularly pertinent was their version of “California Sun", riding around in the Californian sun!!
SpinVybe: Besides wanting to become musicians, what made you partner up together? I imagine working with your sibling to be a bonding experience.
Yee Loi: The fact that you can bicker all you want with a sibling and they won’t leave you; other people would.
SpinVybe: Your brother later joined on bass. Do you find writing music together helps your relationships, or are you at times worried about being too vulnerable?
Yee Loi: We don’t tend to write about such vulnerable subjects because there’s nothing you could write about heartbreak or anything like that that hasn’t been said one million times before.
Photo Credit: Dave Cox
SpinVybe: Your sound feels stripped back but explosive. How intentional is that minimal three-piece setup?
Yee Loi: Well, we don’t have another guitarist, so we have to fill out the sound as much as possible, especially since I play quite a bit of lead guitar, so there are gaps in the rhythm that the bass really has to pound out in order for there not to be a big sonic drop, but it is pretty damn explosive!
SpinVybe: You've toured with the giant himself, Adam Ant. How did that come about, and what was the experience like?
Yee Loi: We’ve only ever toured with Adam Ant, and it was a proper shock to the system because we’d never played outside of Liverpool, so it was hell wicked to see the rest of the country and play in such crazy big venues.
SpinVybe: Performing on a tour that big must have had some valuable lessons when it comes to touring and live performances. What did you learn that you’ve managed to carry forward into today's shows?
Yee Loi: Not to get nervous and to just play. But we sort of had that mentality anyway (I’m a poet and I didn't know it!).
SpinVybe: How do you want people to feel after seeing a Yee Loi show for the first time?
Yee Loi: Like they don’t know what's hit them!
SpinVybe: You both have a very strong sense of confidence. Where does that come from, or did you find it through your love of punk that evolved over time?
Yee Loi: I think it just comes naturally to us, there’s no real method to it, but because we’ve been at it for the past 8 years.
SpinVybe: When touring, how do you mentally switch between “normal life” and onstage chaos?
Yee Loi: School keeps us very grounded (laughs).
SpinVybe: What would you say to other kids who might be staring at a guitar right now, wondering if they might be too young or not good enough to start?
Yee Loi: Just go for it! And don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t!!
SpinVybe: Finally, as it's the beginning of the year, what goals have you set that you wish to achieve, and where can our readers see you next?
Yee Loi: Put out some hell cool music, and you can see us at Liverpool Sound City in May.
Written and Interviewed by Kirsty Bright
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