By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo By Kate Dockary
Q) Your music tends to be described as “pop-rock,” but how would you describe your sound?
Yassin: We’ve called our sound “genre-blending” in the past, but the truth is we don’t take too much time to think about what our sound is. Whatever inspires Sean and I tends to be what we put into the music and whatever that combination is has been working for us…But to keep it simple we tell people we’re the “interracial Hall & Oates” when asked about our sound.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
Yassin: For me, my first loves were Billy Joel and The Beatles, but the list is looooong. I just saw J.Cole live last night and I’m absolutely obsessed with his career arc. Having said that, in my childhood bedroom I had a poster of Billy Joel and Childish Gambino side by side, I guess I’d like to be somewhere in between those two.
And Sean’s influences go from Earth Wind and Fire to Bonnie Raitt, tool!
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Don’t Do That.”
Yassin: This song is one of the most personal songs we’ve ever made. Lyrically, it’s as honest as we could be about how we’ve felt over the last year and a bit trying to make it in this industry. When things are hard, it’s easy to look back and think, “Wow! Life was so much simpler then.” We wrote this song as a reminder to ourselves to keep going and that we’re exactly where we need to be.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
Yassin: I think most people can relate to feeling insecure about the position they’re in life. Plus, we all can get sucked into a world of comparison with social media, which creates more and more insecurity. We hope fans connect with the honesty of the lyrics, and the hopefulness that things can change.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
Yassin: The video follows Sean working at a movie theatre, dreaming about being up on the big screen. It showcases a story of someone who wants more out of life, but is unsure if it’s too late or not. Sean day dreaming in the chorus is also a play on the lyrics “don’t look back unless you’re looking to learn.” There are a few other meanings here and there, but we just hope fans have a good time watching it, have a laugh and maybe get inspired.
Q) With your sophomore album Learn + Apply set to drop soon, what are some themes you will be exploring on it?
Yassin: With a YST album there’s always a little love as a theme. But on this record we really explore insecurity, hope, failure and continuing to dream through all of those feelings.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
Yassin: No, not usually! In a lot of cases both the music and lyrics come hand in hand, but both Sean and I write lyrics down all the time in notes and try to connect them with music. THEN, sometimes I have half and idea I bring to Sean and we finish it or Sean has a melody that we build something around!
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
Yassin: A lot! I produce every song we make. It was only with this album that we ever stepped out of our comfort zone to bring in other producers to work with us. But from the start I was kinda the guy to write and produce and Sean would be the rock star.
Q) Any chance you can tease when Learn + Apply is set to release?
Yassin: All I can say is, my birthday is in October…
Q) What can fans expect from a live YASSiN and Sean Terrio performance?
Yassin: Our favorite thing in the world is performing live. It’s the top of the list for us even above writing and recording. When you see us live, we can guarantee a grand time. Laughs. Cries. Some dancing. And we hope we leave you wanting more.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?
Yassin: We hope listeners feel seen in the songs about our struggles. We hope they feel like anything is possible in the end of those songs and we hope they think, “Damn these guys ARE the interracial Hall & Oates.”
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
Yassin: We LOVE playing in Toronto, as it’s pretty much our home city. The fans at home bring all the energy and so many of them were there when we had just one song out till now. A new favorite of ours though is the East Coast of Canada. We played two shows in Nova Scotia this year and, although we’re new to that side of the country, the east coasters really brought their A game. Not to mention they are the kindest humans on earth.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
Yassin: That’s a big question…hmm…Maggie Rogers would be up there for me. But like, I’d love to have Tyler The Creator produce a song of ours, too.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
Yassin: Right now I’ve been listening to the new Surfaces album…It’s like a new age Jack Johnson album and it’s been the perfect Summer time record. Also, absolutely obsessed with Noah Kahan’s new album. I shamefully admit I never listened to Stick Season, but when I heard the title track off The Great Divide, I became a super fan. Top tier songwriting, production is out of this world and melodies just rock.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
Yassin: Thank you and we love you. The stuff we’re creating means everything to me and the fact that you’ve been here listening to this small duo from Canada is the best feeling ever.