Yunè Pinku
Yunè Pinku 2023 release ‘Babylon IX’ is a showcase of her continuously intricate understanding of mixing her own wide ranging influences. Whether it’s the melodic harmonies of early European church music, the screams of Rock n’ Roll, or the UK Rave canon Yuné Pinku has the attitude and work ethic of a multidisciplinary creative and it shines through her music. Expressing both the hybrid styles and sounds of a new generation with fresh combinations and production her unfurling style is exciting to watch.
Outside of your art form, where do you find inspiration?
To me, it’s everywhere! I find people watching, or people generally quite inspiring—through all the stories and emotions etc. but I suppose travelling a lot aids that too, seeing and being in various places and meeting all kinds of people.
Where do you get your personal power from?
I think without the ability to create, I’d be quite lost, so I draw from that space all the time. Whether that be, consuming creative things or writing, drawing, producing— it’s kind of like topping up my mental well or something.
What is your favourite space?
I love open spaces, like forests and seasides, places that remind you we’re tiny and the dramas of life melt away! Or my friends and families homes, that are quite cozy and familiar.
How much of a role do other musicians play in your work?
A big part for me. I kind of see borrowing and inspiration like a mosaic, you can patch one artists’ lyrical tech, with another’s sonic-scape, and another’s tone of voice and come up with something that sounds brand new, and quite accurate to yourself.
Is there a specific sonic theme, genre or instrument that you draw pure joy from?
I think folk and rock derived details. Enya’s vocal style, almost siren-like is something I’m always glad to come across, I suppose using that almost ancient, church like harmony, that appears in Eastern European traditional music too. But I also love rock music and screaming and horrible guitar sounds, anything that feels surreal and emotional.
What are the core values behind your art?
Artistry, honesty, and unpretentiousness. I consciously veer away from overly-manicured sounds, I quite like demo-y, fresh from the press styles. I think it’s a gift to make art and it’s always a pleasure if someone resonates with an emotion or feeling you put on the table. It feels very unifying.
What are you holding whilst posing for an oil painting?
That’s a very good question! I think a golden apple, I got really obsessed with the Greek story of Eris (the goddess of strife and discord), because the apple symbolised a contradiction to me. She was blamed for causing ruckus but really her character seemed to just shine mirrors back to people and I thought the concept was fascinating.
What is your spirit animal?
I’d like to say something funky like a jaguar or something, but I think probably a house cat.
Funeral song(s)?
Pink Floyd or ‘Across the Universe’ (queen Fiona Apples version), something that sums up the vibe of life across the cosmo.
What do you own that you should throw out, but can’t?
Most of my stuff to be honest, I horde so much. I keep a lot of clothes that don’t fit me just because I don’t really want anyone else to own them, haha. Very petty.
If you could time travel, who are you visiting?
I was obsessed with Audrey Hepburn growing up so that’d be cool, but I’d also be very curious to meet an old, old ancestor. See if anything’s stuck.
Who are you taking on a date, and where are you going? (time travel is allowed)
Not sure about who really but I’m pretty standard, a pint and a smoke at a good little bar. If you don’t get along there you probably won’t get along anywhere.
If you could change the end of any film what would it be and what would you change it to?
That film ‘Remember Me’, so annoying. No spoilers but I remember being so jarred by that ending. So yeah, in my ending dude would’ve just sorted himself out and lived happily ever after with his wifey.
Why do you think we are here on planet earth at this time?
Spasms of the universe. I think I have a very Absurdist view on that stuff but I believe in responsibility of the individual and treating the planet well. #recycle
What's the worst lie you ever told as a kid?
I was a pretty honest kid, to a detriment. But I think I somehow got my friends to believe my sister was my butler, which didn’t last very long of course.
Have you ever experienced true love?
Every time I look in the mirror! No, not as of yet but I’m also a delusional romantic so I don’t really bother getting reality to match that. But I think you can be in love with so many things and bits of people so there’s plenty going round!
See more from yunèpinku here / Image by Leanda Heler / Words by Alex Officer
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