INTERVIEW: YANNAI GOLDBERG PUTS A SPIN ON GUITAR-BASED SONGWRITING WITH DEBUT EP ‘UPROOTED’

Emerging into the Perth music scene with his debut EP ‘Uprooted’ is singer-songwriter Yannai Goldberg. Built with songs that were written over a busy 2019 which saw Yannai busking on the streets of London. ‘Uprooted’ stands on a strong foundation of percussive guitar, incorporating elements of flamenco, classical and blues playing throughout. After taking inspiration from artists such as Hozier, Matt Corby and Perth local John Butler, Yannai has come out with a unique flavour that just draws you in.

‘Uprooted’ is a 7 track EP with a dynamic atmosphere, constantly changing mood and tone to mirror the dualities of the world, specifically the interaction and occasional blending of the good and bad in our lives. The EP also explores the deep connections that many of us form to the cities that we live in due to their ‘personalities’, we live through the cities, but at the same time they live through us as well.

​Where did your journey begin? Was it through busking in Perth? Where did you frequent most?
Yeah, I've played guitar for 8 years now, and a few years ago I started busking in Perth. I began in Fremantle/CBD and started playing at farmers markets shortly after. 

Your guitar style is amazing, where were you taught and how did your influences mould your own style of playing?
Thank you! I initially learnt classical/flamenco guitar for 4-5 years, I used a combination of that and folk guitar as a foundation to perform, and later discovered percussive and lap guitar, and have since been trying to encorporate elements of other genres like blues, funk and soul into my music. The percussive guitar element of my music is largely influenced from other guitarists who do a similar thing (ex. John Butler & Andy McKee) while a lot of my work currently is being influenced by artists such as Hozier and Matt Corby.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the contrast between the tracks on the EP and where the inspiration for the concept came from?
I wanted the album to be a journey which evokes a very diverse set of feelings, but feelings which seem to fit together. Essentially, the goal was for each song to make you feel like you're in a different place/time/experience in your life, whether that be an experience of the past, what you're experiencing at present, or pondering for the future. I want this EP to pull listeners in as many different directions as possible, while not fully committing to any of those evoked feelings, and doing that in a logical way that tied the tracks together.

How was the launch last weekend? Do you prefer venues to busking?
It was a great turnout for the launch and an amazing night! Mitch Santiago and Jere Sosa's sets were amazing, and I had a blast during my set! In terms of busking vs venues, they are worlds apart to me and so hard to compare against each other. Busking's appeal to me is the magic of instilling a certain atmosphere into the street with my show. There are moments that busking feels like humanity in its sinmplest and rawest form, and I don't think this feeling can be competed with. Venues however, are a much more consistently good show, so that makes me lean a bit more towards venues. I guess overall venues, but busking holds a more special place in heart.

Finally, what else is in the works and what can we expect from you in the follow up to this amazing release?
I have one more thing still coming up for the EP that will be released in a few months time. I also hope to release at least one new single before the end of the year. With this EP I explored the capacity of the guitar as a standalone instrument, and for my next album I want to experiment more with having a bigger sound (with other instruments) whilst still keeping the guitar as the focal point.

'Uprooted' Available Now

Gerard Kinsella/Keeley Connolly