Thank you for your time today Yoyo! We would love to learn more about you – Describe yourself in 5 words or less

Thanks so much for having me! My words would be: happy, shy, and motivated

Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?

Yoyo: Can I pick two people? Both my parents have been incredibly supportive my entire life. From working on time tables in the car when I was four to helping me with my lyrics now, they have constantly been by my side. During this holiday break, I wanted to get a drone license to help film my marketing promos. Immediately, my dad decided that he would study and take the test with me to support me through the whole process. That is the kind of person he is. My mom really values family time, and she loves to bring everyone together. The little moments around the dinner table have helped me become who I am today. I can’t express how much I have appreciated their support.

Do you hope to one day play your music live?

Yes definitely! Going on tour would be a dream come true. I used to sing live with my a capella group in highschool, and I loved that experience. My vocal coach and I have been working on getting a really clear intonation in my singing, and I can’t wait to showcase all the work that I have been putting in. 

What is your next goal as a musician?

My next goal as a musician is to really settle into my sound. I have released songs across a couple of different genres, but I have found that I love making RnB/chill pop the most. I really enjoy getting people to dance, but I am an emotional person, and I want my listeners to feel that.

What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?

Right now, I love singing Happier Than Ever by Billie Eillish in the car. Both halves of the song are unique and incredible in their own way.

Name one your strengths?

Yoyo: I’m not sure if this is a strength per se, but I love every part of being a musician. My favourite is of course spending time in the studio and writing music. There is something so exciting to me when I get to write a new topline and authentic lyrics that go with it. I want to be a storyteller at the core, and the learning process has been incredibly difficult. It is true that sometimes the marketing part of the process can be disheartening, but I have recently embraced the creativity needed to promote music. 

What is your own definition of happiness?

I think my definition of happiness starts with being around incredible people. Most of my best memories come when I am with friends or family. They are all fun, supportive, and mean the world to me. I think that when it comes to music, it makes me really happy when I can give my listeners a chance to relate to someone. Everyone goes through hardship, and I want people to know that they are not alone.

How do you see yourself in 5 years?

I hope that in 5 years, I will be on my tour! I know it’s easy to say that now, but the dream really helps motivate me. I also hope that I get to see a lot of my projects released. One particularly exciting one that I have been working on is reaching out to different Asian American artists and producers. Together, I want to make a song that shares the Asian American experience. Also, I hope to be working on my second or third album by then. I am working through the first one now with the new song “rewind” coming out soon! 

How would you describe your music style?

I have released some big dance songs, but I have recently discovered that I love making RnB/chill pop songs. It’s really exciting for me to find the genre I love making, as now I can focus on getting better everyday. My next song “rewind” is much slower than my previous ones and is about the end of a long-term relationship. When I wrote this song, I found it important to focus on both the small moments in life such as “watching sunsets” or “sitting on a couch” with bigger sentiments such as wanting life to rewind back to when everything was going well.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Thanks again for having me! You can find me on Instagram @yoyonagase, on TikTok @yoyonagasemusic, and on my website at yoyonagase.com

End of Interview