Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yolanda Watson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Yolanda , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Back in September of 2022, I finished working on my debut EP (Soda) in collaboration with a professional recording studio in Massachusetts (Plaid Dog Recording). Soda is a compilation of some of my very first songs— I wrote them with my ukulele in 2018/2019. When I first began performing at different venues around NYC, people would often ask where they could listen to my songs and were disappointed when I told them that I’d yet to record them. With this being the case, I knew that I’d eventually have to record and put the songs out. Plaid Dog provided me with a team of skilled professionals who were dedicated to helping me bring my songs to life in a whole new way. Not only that, but because Plaid Dog helps each artist they work with create a crowdfunding campaign, I was able to directly connect with my audience pre-production. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people were eager to donate to my campaign— their enthusiastic responses and encouragement helped fuel me throughout the entirety of the project.

Collaborating with Plaid Dog on my debut EP was an all around amazing experience that helped sharpen my voice and vision. I’ve grown so much as an artist since 2018 and I’m happy to have a body of work that helps document that.

Yolanda , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When I first began writing songs, one of my main goals was to be as honest as possible— I was determined to strike a balance between vulnerability and safety. My theory was that honesty was key. After having written a few songs, I began sharing them at different open mics around NYC. I was terrified in the beginning, but I knew that the songs were rooted in truth and, ultimately, that is what sustained me. I’d also sing and play as best I could, but I found that my biggest concern was not with whether or not I sounded good, but with whether or not people were able to connect with what I was singing about. The first time I performed, the energy and response that I received from the crowd let me know that I’d struck a balance. I felt vulnerable and safe and, in turn, so did they. I knew this because after I’d gotten off stage, several people came up to me and expressed how they’d related to the songs. Some of those same people were artists themselves and are now some of my closest friends. I didn’t know it at the time, but I’d set out to find my people. As much as I love to create, what I love most is getting to connect— first with myself and then with others. In deeply connecting with myself, I’ve discovered that there is little to nothing that sets me apart from others and that’s the beauty of being an artist.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Although I’ve always loved music, I didn’t decide to take being a singer-songwriter seriously until the end of 2018. I’d just graduated from Smith College and had it in my mind to enter the world of publishing. A few informational interviews and internship/work experiences later, I realized that my heart wasn’t in it. It took me about six months to transition, but during that time I saved up as much money as I could. After leaving my office job in the city, I became a part-time backwaiter at a restaurant in Brooklyn. I also worked part-time as both a pet sitter and a barback. Although I was working several jobs, I had a more flexible schedule. With my new found free time I began to tap back into the NYC art scene. Soon enough, I was surrounded by artists and was reminded that I, too, was an artist. I’d always been an artist, but for social and economic reasons, I’d been afraid to fully commit. One night after working a shift at the bar where I barbacked, I stuck around to chat with my friend, Brianda. The bar had a ukulele lying around so I’d picked it up and was strumming it while she and I talked. I was enjoying myself so much that I jokingly stated, “I’m going to buy a ukulele and start writing songs.” She must have sensed that a large part of me wasn’t joking because her eyes were wide and her tone was serious when she said, “Do it.”

I ordered my ukulele that very same night.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Being an artist is kind of like having a superpower. It’s amazing. I love it. I get to make things and I get to connect with myself and others via the things I make. Everyday, I choose to be an artist— I choose vulnerability in a world where safety is inconsistent and sometimes even nonexistent. Due to my cultural and socioeconomic background, I know firsthand how inconsistent safety can be. Being resilient, like being an artist, is like having a superpower. Resilience makes it possible for me to experience hardship and make it out alive— stronger and more aware of my surroundings. However, unlike being an artist, resilience is not something I always wish to choose— more often than not, I can clearly see that I shouldn’t have to. Although I have chosen to be an artist, there are many things about myself that I did not choose, but that I am still proud to be. I am an economically disadvantaged neurodivergent queer Black woman who has chosen to be an artist in a world that, plainly put, wants me invisible, silent and/or dead. I choose resilience, even when I don’t want to, because I know that I deserve to live; I choose to be an artist because I refuse to be silenced and know that I am not invisible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yo_yo_ameliorates/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/yoyoameliorates
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrIPXuavCx178faM1umonQ
• Other: https://linktr.ee/YolandaWatson

Image Credits
Shuang Zhang Alejandro Olivas Castillo