Yasmin Williams
Yasmin Williams (born May 31, 1997) is an American composer and solo performing finger-style guitarist[1][2][3] from northern Virginia. She plays several instruments such as the kalimba, harp-guitar, and guitar with the strings facing up while on her lap.[4]
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| Background information | |
| Born | Virginia, United States |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
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| Website | www |
Early life and education
[edit]Williams grew up in the town of Woodbridge in Northern Virginia. Throughout her childhood, William's would hear a number of musical genres played in her household from Hip-Hop to Jazz.[5] In December 2017, she graduated from New York University with a degree in music theory and composition.[6][7]
Musical career
[edit]
2009–2012: Serendipity and early beginnings
[edit]In 2009, after playing the video game known as Guitar Hero 2, Williams became inspired to start learning guitar on her own. After being gifted her first electric guitar and amplifier, Williams would practice by ear until the release of her first EP Serendipity as a teenager. The project's production and recording were entirely handled by Williams herself. From there Williams went on to develop her skillset, by becoming proficient in bass, 12 string, and classical guitars, before deciding to adopt her primary instrument of the acoustic guitar.
2018–2020: Stylistic development and Unwind
[edit]She later developed her unique style of playing the guitar by setting it face-up on her lap, tuning the strings to be in harmony, then playing it similarly to a piano utilizing a finger picking technique. She also adds in other elements such as two handed lap-tapping for added rhythm in her mainly instrumental compositions.[8] Pitchfork described her musical approach, "Williams’ inventive style, which has also involved wearing tap shoes and taking a cello bow to her instrument, has made her stand out in the field of solo guitarists."[8] Rolling Stone describe her songs as "textured, harmonious soundscapes".[9]
In 2018, Willams independently released her first studio album, Unwind, honing her signature finger-style technique, as well as her work with non-western instruments such as the Kalimba. Yet despite the development of William's increasingly complex skill set, the album also featured the more simplistic composition "New Beginnings", which she had written while still attending high school.[10]
2020-2024: Urban Driftwood and Acadia
[edit]Williams's second studio album, Urban Driftwood, released in 2021 through Spinster Records, was written in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown and was influenced by the Black Lives Matter protests during the summer.[11]
In 2024 she released her third studio album, Acadia, through Nonesuch Records. The album entered the UK Album Downloads Chart, peaking at #100, and the UK Americana Chart, peaking at #39.[12]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Unwind (self-released, 2018)
- Urban Driftwood (Spinster, 2021)[13]
- Acadia (Nonesuch, 2024)
EPs
[edit]- Serendipity (self-released, 2012)
Singles
[edit]- I Wonder (2018)
- Take That Step (2019) (featuring Jason Bembry)
- Dragonfly (2020)
- Nova to be (2022) (with Dobrotto)
- Dawning (2023) (featuring Aoife O'Donovan, Kafari & Nic Gareiss)
- Virga (2024) (featuring Darlingside)
References
[edit]- ^ Currin, Grayson Haver (April 28, 2021). "The Face of Solo Guitar Is Changing. It's About Time". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (February 3, 2021). "Song You Need to Know: Yasmin Williams, 'After the Storm'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ "Yasmin Williams Transcends All Guitar Norms In Her Tiny Desk Contest Entry". NPR.org.
- ^ Richards, Chris (August 11, 2021). "Yasmin Williams, a new kind of guitar hero, is listening to the world around her". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2024-04-06. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ "Bio". Yasmin Williams.
- ^ "Fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams has a new record, "Urban Driftwood"". The Washington Post. 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
- ^ "Yasmin Williams | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-center.org.
- ^ a b Sodomsky, Sam (January 28, 2021). "Yasmin Williams: Urban Driftwood". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (2021-02-03). "Song You Need to Know: Yasmin Williams, 'After the Storm'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Perlmutter, Adam. "'New Beginnings': A Contemplative Study by Yasmin Williams". No Depression. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ Stanley, Laura. "Yasmin Williams' Fingerstyle Guitar Cuts Through Current Climate on 'Urban Driftwood'". No Depression. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ "ACADIA". Official Charts. 2024-10-17. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "Yasmin Williams: Urban Driftwood". Pitchfork.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- William's Tiny Desk Concert
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