I Ya Toyah – Dream Not To Dream

By starrymag | April 30, 2024

By: Francesca Fortino

 

 

Q) Who or what are your biggest inspirations to write new songs?

A) Life, definitely. I always draw inspiration from things I experience or observe. From heart and mind, to paper, and DAW.

Q) Given that your songs touch so many genres, which word would you use to describe your music?

A) I am a genre bending artist. I really dislike being categorized as one thing because I’m not. I love switching and blending styles from industrial to alternative rock, from whispers to powerful singing to screams and then choir like chants and balancing the guitars and synths to create something new yet familiar. I Ya Toyah shows up on charts for electronic rock, alternative music, dark pop, even metal – my recent I Am the Fire EP is #1 in genre – bending charts on Bandcamp.

Q) How have your Chicago and Polish origins affected your life and your music?

A) My city in Poland, Lodz is very artistic and heavy on blending different cultures. And so is Chicago. It might be that growing up in a place where you have access to so much art of different sources affected me and made me want to enjoy creating beyond any frames and genres. Lodz is also a cinematic city, with a big theater and film school. It’s David Lynch’s favorite spot to film at for that reason and I love Lynch and feel heavily inspired by him, using surrealism and abstract influences in my music, artwork and music videos.

Q) What was the idea from which you started to create the music video for “Dream Not To Dream” and what was the message that you wanted to spread with it?

A) The music video is a dark story that shows the gruesome truth behind acts of love. I wanted it to contrast with the more upbeat vibe of the song. This was a stylistic choice to take the viewer to a deeper place within obscurity. The video is a killer, literally, a sinister tale of love and death. And I released it for Valentine’s Day to further accentuate it.

Q) Talking about your new single “Dream Not To Dream,” did you pitch the idea of a remix to Chris Hall, or was it the other way around?

A) Walter Flakus of Stabbing Westward, with whom I produced this new EP – and an upcoming full record – and who also mixed the material, reached out to Chris. It was actually Walter’s idea and I’m so happy that he had it because now we have an awesome remix out, a remix that is also a duet with one of my favorite singers of all time.

Q) Compared to the original version of “Dream Not To Dream,” what are the differences with this remix? Which new elements had Chris Hall added?

A) He took the song to a more sinister level. It has a less dreamy, and darker vibe now. And it’s very upbeat, compared to the original which is more chill. Mostly though, he added his vocal as a harmony to my voice in choruses making it a perfect duet. It just sounds so good.

Q) What is your typical songwriting process? Do you need music before you can craft lyrics?

A) It goes back and forth. I don’t have a set rule for creativity. I just let it flow and when it does, it’s the lyrical idea, with which I instantly hear all the instruments in my head. So, then I produce it in my studio, but by the time I’m done I’ve already switched the lyrics, etc. etc. It’s a very liberating process honestly. I love songwriting, it allows me to completely forget about the world outside and lay my expressions into the new compositions.

Q) Since you are behind every step of producing your music, how are you enjoying all these roles so far?

A) I love it all!

Q) Will we see a live performance with Chris Hall of “Dream Not To Dream” during one of your next tour dates?

A) Stabbing Westward has a busy year touring, and so do I. I’m currently on a nearly two-month tour with Orgy and Cold – typing this on the tour bus. [laughs] So, given these circumstances, there is no opportunity – at least for now. I’d love for this to happen, let’s hope it can in the near future!

Q) What pushed you to donate part of the proceeds from the sales of her music and merchandise to organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation?

A) I lost my Mom to suicide and that created all kinds of feelings as a suicide loss survivor – feelings I didn’t know how to deal with. This is how I Ya Toyah came to life – I had to write music, write songs to get these feelings out to be able to cope somehow. Naturally, it became obvious to me that I have to support the cause. Today I have my own “cause” – I made 988 bracelets in support of mental health and suicide prevention and I give them away at my show or ship them to anyone who reaches out – on me. It’s my mini I Ya Toyah suicide prevention foundation, to support the cause from the grounds up, person to person. So, we all know we are not alone in this uneasy thing called life.

Q) How was working on such an important project like the recording of a cover of the Beatles’ “Come Together,” that will see the proceeds from it being donated to a fundraiser for the people of Ukraine?

A) It was a transcendent experience. The cause is huge and the help is very needed. It was an honor to be invited to be able to add my vocals to this creation. It was arranged and mixed by legendary music producer John Fryer, who has worked with such seminal bands as Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, and Cocteau Twins. Participants included members of Faith No More, Stabbing Westward, Ministry, Rammstein, Filter, THE HARDKISS, The Joy Thieves and more. It’s amazing to see so much talent come together to help others in need. That’s how it should always be. We should always be there for each other. Build each other up, instead of tearing each other down.

Q) Since you have recently released your EP I AM THE FIRE. What are some themes you explore on it?

A) I Am the Fire is a very emotional EP. It explores human experience, the feelings of sadness, anger, fear. It’s a genre-bending release but it was categorized as electronic rock, metal, alternative and dark pop.

Q) Which song on the EP holds a special significance for you and why?

A) Oh man. All of them do. They are all very significant to me – it would feel simply wrong to choose one and not another. This release is where I’m at right now, in this time and space – it’s a very genuine expression of all things important that I needed to share with my fans.

Q) Who would you love to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I’m very open to collaborations with anyone I resonate with stylistically and personally. I’d love to work with David Lynch. He is awesome, I love all his soundtracks!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I love you all! Thank you so much for choosing to tune into my music, and for all your support. This means everything to me, and I wouldn’t be able to continue doing what I do without you.