Words by Luke LaBenne
Singer-songwriter Emily Yacina worked tirelessly to weave the threads of her new album Veilfall, and the result is a seamless and soothing work that is as poignant as it is pleasing. The instrumental makeup and overall mood vary from song to song, but the breezy confidence, memorable melodies, and warm, enveloping environments remain consistent throughout. Yacina’s thoughtfully stitched lyrics explore vulnerability, intimacy, and mortality in a welcoming and relatable manner. To borrow a phrase from the album closer, this album pulls a blanket over the listener and delivers a cozy yet contemplative experience.
Off Shelf: You have a great ability to capture complex feelings and paint vivid scenes with your lyrics. What is your writing process?
Emily Yacina: Thanks! My writing process changes a lot, but sometimes I’ll have an idea for a lyric and then build a song around it. Other times the melody comes first, and I’ll record that on my phone. So usually it starts with a small idea that I build around to completion.
OS: I know you clocked 14-hour days creating this album. Did you have a sound or vibe in mind for these songs, or did you find it in the studio for each and then tweak them to make it all cohesive?
EY: When we entered the studio, some of the songs we had a clear vision for and others we discovered when we were there. It was nice to have the time to be experimental – and to go down different paths before committing. I think the songs started becoming more cohesive toward the end of the production process – when we were listening to them all together as a body of work.
OS: This album deals with themes of vulnerability and exposure. What drew you to this subject matter?
EY: I think a lot of it comes from personal experience. I really value connection to people, and I think it’s so interesting what we learn about ourselves when we let ourselves be seen by others. You can have your own perception of yourself, but that only exists in your head – letting people in can be life-changing, and I’m very inspired by that.
OS: You hosted death-themed salons at an LA Bookstore while creating this album. On “Holy for a Moment,” you say, “One day we’ll be dirt under the ocean.” Did that experience influence those lyrics or any other aspects of the album creation?
EY: Yes! I think about death a lot and especially since I began hosting the death cafes. I think ultimately being more aware of death has allowed me to be more present in my daily life and to feel more connected to people. That’s the idea behind the song “Holy for a Moment.”
OS: You were joined by many friends/collaborators who people would know from their own projects and bands (Florist, Gia Margaret, Porches, Coco, Miniature Tigers). What was the process of featuring those collaborations?
EY: I think all the collaborations on the record happened pretty organically. My friend Jonnie who is in Florist sort of helped me see it through to the end. We met on one of my first tours in 2016. The rest of the collaborators I all met along the way, and they were available to either come to the studio or record parts remotely when I needed them. I’m super proud of all the talent I was able to harness while making this record!
OS: “Battle” is such a great opening track, and I know you’re talking about feelings for another person, but I feel like “the battle between intention and letting it reveal itself” could also be a meta line about creating music. Did you have that intention when writing it?
EY: I didn’t have that intention while writing it but I totally agree! I think it can be really freeing in life and also while making music to surrender expectations a little and let whatever it is become what it is.
OS: On “The Clearing,” I love the lyric, “I see no leaves above me. I feel no hell below me.” It seems to describe almost floating in a liminal space, which is often the dreamy vibe that you create on these songs. What was the inspiration for that line and using that almost religious imagery?
EY: I wanted to convey letting someone is as kind of a sacred space. That’s why I was using that kind of imagery.
OS: Can you tell me about the experience of making the video for “Talk Me Down”, and how did you go about creating that perfect early ’00s goth kid outfit?
EY: Yes! [laughs] I went to Oakland to make the video with my friend, Trish, who made the beat for the song. She is an amazing skater, and enlisted some of her friends to be in the video. I think Trish came up with the emo character – which I loved and thought fit with the song. We walked around Berkeley for a day just coming up with different shot ideas and playing the song on a Bluetooth speaker. It was really fun!
OS: On “Talk Me Down,” you talk about wanting to open up. Do you have any advice on how to overcome the fear of being vulnerable?
EY: I’d say you should do it because it helps you grow even though it can be scary.
OS: Writing music is a very vulnerable experience. Does your songwriting help you be more vulnerable and open?
EY: Absolutely! It’s always felt like a way to explore and show how I feel.
OS: What do you hope listeners take away from Veilfall?
EY: I hope that people can relate and maybe feel a little less isolated. Or just that they enjoy the music.