[INTERVIEW] Get to Know Musician & Producer Yeo

Yeo is an Australian-Malaysian musician and producer. He continually explores the intersections of R&B, pop and electronic music with the use of innovative instrumental arrangement, wry lyricism and a truly unique genre-bending sonic palette. 

Yeo has released R&B-infused pop albums Recovery Channel (2019) and Desire Path (2017) which included many collaborations such as songs with Asta and Fractures. There are also a host of stand-alone singles including 好好 的過 (Have A Nice Life, 2020) a collaboration with Taiwanese artist Chendy Wen.

Alongside his solo project, Yeo has upheld many roles including music director and band member to Emma Louise, band member for Mo’Ju and Alice Ivy, producer and co-writer on Asta’s EP Shine and co-producer on Charlie Lim’s EP CHECK-HOOK. 

Check out his interview with us below!

Yeo Interview

Please introduce yourself to the HypnoticAsia readers.

I’m Yeo, an artist and producer from Naarm, so-called Australia. I like eating, cooking, cycling and playing baseball and Cramorant in Pokémon Unite.

Tell us about your new single “Little Secret”?

Little Secret is a collaboration with my friend Kitty Purrnaz. It’s about insecurities in a relationship and how they can drive one forward just as easily as they can paralyze it. The production is an intentional pastiche of 90s pop.

What was it like working with Kitty Purrnaz on the new track? Any memorable stories together?

Hanging with Kitty is a fun time because she doesn’t mince words and has a mature take on the music industry. I also feel like we understand each other as independent artist producers. We first met in Darwin when she supported me at a live show, and it would be years before connecting again in Singapore. It was nice to catch up over a long evening walk and an iced tea before we jumped in the studio. 

How do you feel being a part of The Great Wave mix tape?

Stoked! I’m a huge fan of the other artists (heaps more to be announced) so it’s really an honor to be asked. As a newcomer to the Web3 concept, it’s a great learning experience for me too. I appreciate the progressiveness and artist-first ethos that the collective prides itself upon.

You joined Charlie Lim & The Great Wave concert on the 16th of September with Kitty! Congratulations! How was that and do you have any memorable stories to tell from this experience?

Thanks. It felt like I was dreaming, playing with the Mothership and other guests; some of the most talented performers and writers in the world. I think my biggest “is this real?” moment was sitting by myself in the stalls during soundcheck when Aisyah Aziz stepped on stage with Charlie to run through “Won’t You Come Around”. I freakin’ love that song.

You have worked with numerous artists from around the world but is there an artist you really want to work with that you haven’t had the chance to yet?

There’s a rad artist from my city called Kee’ahn who has a wicked voice. I’m building up the courage to ask for a collaboration or a chance to do a remix.

How would you say your music has changed over the years? Would you say you have grown as an artist?

Over the years I have switched focus between improving my production and improving my songwriting. With each release, I’m getting a little better at both. Production-wise, things are getting fuller and cleaner, and I’m learning how to use less layers to control spatial emulation. In terms of writing, I’ve been slipping between pop and R&B, trying to simplify things but keep them effective.

What can we expect from you in the future in terms of music? 

I’ve been toying with the idea of releasing an instrumental EP. I was reminiscing about the pure joy I felt when I first started making stuff in FL Studio as a teenager with no intention of being a vocalist. It was only when other producers heard it and said “you just need vocals and this will be great” that I started putting vocals on my own tracks–but I want to pretend I never heard that.

Check out Yeo on his socials below!

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

Photo Credit: Vivian Vo.