Sophia Yau-Weeks, an artist and singer-songwriter hailing from Oakland, CA, released her debut EP "Without You" on May 1, 2023. Produced and engineered by Maryam Qudus at Tiny Telephone Recording Studio, the project explores the intricacies of relationships and takes inspiration from folk and alternative sounds of the 90s and early 2000s.

Sophia's artistic vision is rooted in fostering genuine connections and building community through her storytelling, utilizing poetic lyrics and dreamy melodies. In this interview, I had the opportunity to examine Sophia's musical journey, traversing her creative process, anxieties, and outlets.

Audi Locus (AL): Please share a bit about your personal journey as a musician and artist. How did you discover your passion for music and visual art, and how do these two creative outlets complement each other in your work?

Sophia Yau-Weeks (SYW): Music was first introduced into my life as I began playing violin at the age of four. It was something that my mother pushed me to do - and I believe playing from such a young age influenced my growing musical intuition. Despite all the gifts that playing brought, violin, for me, was heavily associated with discipline and reinforced my anxiety and perfectionism. I would cry before and after performing at recitals, and begged to quit on multiple occasions because of the stress that it caused. Although I grew to resent playing the violin, I still loved music deeply. I was one of those kids who annoyingly harmonized in the car to the radio. In my church growing up, I played bells and sang in the choir. I forced my younger sisters to film music videos with me singing to Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga and Beyonce. Playing consistently until I was in high school (where I was allowed by my parents to trade violin for the debate team), I had developed a musical muscle memory that I believe has helped me in my songwriting today.

In college, I picked up the guitar, which became really fun and therapeutic for me. I learned to play a lot of my favorite songs so that I could sing to them, and began recording myself and sharing on social media. But, it wasn't until the start of the pandemic during shelter-in-place where I feel like I really began songwriting and making art. I had never really made time for creative practice as I was so focused on my studies.

Living in isolation, with a lot of extra time on my hands gave me the opportunity to explore feelings, emotions, and relationships through art. I had just been slowly ghosted by someone I was dating and heartbroken, wrote my first original song "Lasso the Moon." I fell in love with the act and process of songwriting, and over the past few years have continued developing my practice. A really fun piece of growing as an artist has been recording, releasing, and performing (although that still gives me lots of anxiety) my own songs, and sharing them with those around me.

In terms of my visual art/crafting, I began crocheting and block printing and doing all sorts of mixed media work as a way to fundraise for mutual aid causes after the murder of George Floyd. It was a form of activism for me, and allowed me to channel my creativity into positive social change. This led me to organize art markets that supported BIPOC artists and redistributed funds to grassroots orgs and individuals looking for financial support, and eventually led me to start my own small business selling crochet and knit wears and pieces with my two younger sisters.

I think that these two outlets compliment each other because they both allow me to uncover my unique creative capabilities. They are both forms of self-expression that have allowed me to build community and genuine connection with musicians, artists, and audiences alike.

AL: Are there any particular experiences or moments in your life that have had a significant impact on your artistic journey or the themes you explore in both your music and visual art?

SYW: Throughout my life, music and art have always felt communal in some capacity. My mother is an architect and I always remember her open houses bringing people into shared space to enjoy the homes she created and curated. My grandmother took photos of everything from mundane moments to large celebrations, piecing together seconds in time into large, overflowing photo albums. My parents would host birthdays and holiday parties filled with gathering family and friends and always made sure to have a CD playing over the sound system - whether Santana or Norah Jones or Sergio Mendes. So, I wouldn't say there are specific defining moments - but the themes of community and connection that dominate these memories are things that I hope to translate in my music and visual art whether that be thematically in my songs and visual works, or as a bi-product of my creations.

AL: Your latest EP, "Without You," explores relationships and draws inspiration from folk and alternative artists of the 90s and early 2000s. What artists, musicians, or sounds from that time period have had a significant influence on your work? How have they impacted your artistic style or approach?

SYW: In my songwriting process, I did not intentionally draw from any specific musical style or artist for inspiration, but once I got to the production and recording stages - I began to look at some of my favorite artists as inspiration for the sonic development of my EP. I wanted to be able to effectively story tell and create a soundscape that reflected the story I was building through my lyrics. Some artists from the 90s and early 2000s that inspired me during these later stages were Iron & Wine, The Sundays, and Laura Marling to name a few. Beyond that, I can't really say how they have impacted my artistic style and approach other than what likely occurs subconsciously from listening to particular artists.

AL: How did the collaboration with Maryam Qudus come about, and what was it like working with her on your EP?

SYW: I was initially connected with Maryam Qudus through John Vanderslice, artist and owner of Tiny Telephone Recording Studio in Oakland. I reached out to him over Instagram and sent him my only original release at the time, "Lasso the Moon," to ask if he had any suggestions of sound engineers or producers who might be a good fit to work with in terms of my style and songwriting. He connected me with Maryam, I sent her my demos, we booked studio time, and then met over three days at Tiny Telephone to record my project. I was extremely anxious the first day going into the studio. I felt like (and still really feel like) a newbie to songwriting, producing, and recording, so working with someone who has produced and engineered so many projects that I love and admire felt intimidating. I was flooded by imposter syndrome at the start, but once I got to the studio and met Maryam, I instantly felt comfortable and safe. I feel like there was a lot of trust in just allowing the songs to naturally develop with Maryam and I really love the way they all turned out organically.

AL: Your bio mentions that you use songwriting as a tool to share and pass down stories from the alive and departed. Could you elaborate on this concept and how it influences your creative process?

SYW: This is something that I have been delving into more in my current songwriting practice. I have been exploring how I can use songwriting as a vehicle for telling my family's history and my own, sharing knowledge and preserving stories and experiences through song. I have been watching family interviews, reading old journals, and recounting stories from my childhood to guide my creative process. I am also working to write from varying perspectives - not just my own - to expand my creativity and ability to story tell with impact.

AL: You own and create art for Yau-Weeks Studios, focusing on ethically and sustainably made fiber fashions and textile art. How does your commitment to ethical and sustainable practices influence your creative process and the products you create?

SYW: Everything we make and sell is handmade - usually taking hours to days to months to create. The creative process of methodically building a garment or piece helps me interrogate how things are made and how we live in a world that often values productivity and profit over sustainability and ethics. The most important thing for me is self expression. I am crocheting and knitting these things because I love the craft and the process. The selling is secondary, but I hope that these items can find long-lasting homes and allow others to appreciate handmade crafts, as well.

AL: How do you find a balance between your work as a musician and your work as an artist? Do these different creative endeavors inform and inspire each other in any way?

SYW: I am someone who is constantly itching to create in new ways, so being both a musician and craftsperson allows me to express myself in ways that the other art form may not satisfy. I think that the excitement and joy I get from each art form informs the other. When I write a new song, it reminds me of the transformative power of tapping into my creativity which then may excite me to crochet a new dress which then may inspire me to perform in my new dress, and the cycle of creative inspiration continues.

AL: In what ways do you express your artistic vision through both your music and your visual art? Are there specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through both mediums?

SYW: The line through all of my work is my desire to reach, relate, and connect with as many people as possible. This is the basis of my artistic vision and really draws from the question, "what does it mean to be human?" I want my art to tell a story, push people to reflect, evoke emotion, and build community. That is something I hope to achieve through both mediums.

AL: Are there any other art forms or mediums that you would like to explore in the future? How do you envision incorporating them into your existing artistic endeavors?

SYW: There are so many art forms and mediums I would love to explore. I have dipped my toe into film photography, collaging, and block printing but eventually also want to explore natural dying, weaving, and screen printing (I want to screen print my own merch someday soon). Oh! - I also really want to get a mandolin to play, as well.

AL: You have a background in psychology, specifically having earned a BA degree. How does it influence your artistic expression?

SYW: I think that a lot of my artistic expression draws from a curiosity around why we are the way we are. As a psychology major, I enjoyed learning about the different factors that influence and shape the experiences of human beings whether biological, social, or environmental. I think that desire to understand and relate to others is something that drove me to pursue a degree in psychology and also continues to push me in my artistic expression. My overall drive to connect with people is something that I think was always present in my studies and now currently in my art.

AL: In your opinion, what role does art, whether it's music or visual art, play in society? How do you believe it can impact individuals and communities?

SYW: Art is everywhere and shapes all of our lives so deeply. Art is about storytelling, communicating experience, evoking emotion, inspiring change, creating tradition, and connecting people and things. It can be found in music, visual works, buildings, nature, movies, shows, writings, poetry, food, fashion, and the list goes on and on. Art is a reflection of society and culture and also informs and builds society and culture. I think it is a transformative tool for self expression and also a powerful vehicle for community building.

AL: Can you share any advice or words of wisdom for aspiring artists who are striving to find their unique voice and make a meaningful impact through their art?

SYW: To aspiring artists, do what brings you joy and fulfillment. Follow your intuition, lead with your values, and remember, there's only one you. You have a unique voice and perspective with unlimited creative potential. :)

Keep up with Sophia Yau-Weeks

SOPHIA YAU-WEEKS

RÓISIN • I WON’T LOVE

MONDAY MIXTAPE