Introducing Interview: Yvonne McDonnell

Originally from East London, folk singer-songwriter Yvonne McDonnell started performing acoustically back in 2012. Since then, she has enjoyed playing alongside other musicians and has performed live sessions for Sofar Sounds in London and Cambridge. Delivering emotion strewn tracks filled with charming violin melodies and the unique vibrato of her vocals, McDonnell is surely one to watch in the world of Folk.

With a brand new EP out this Friday, we caught up with Yvonne to find out more…

Hi Yvonne, how are you today?
Good thanks!

You are a familiar face to Gigslutz (we featured ‘Endless Soul’ two years ago), what have you been up to?
I’ve been quite busy actually! I’ve been on the search for new musicians to play with and now play all live sets with my violinist Maria Kroon. She’s classically trained and makes any music sound divine, so I’m so pleased to have found her! She features quite heavily on my new EP Not Her Own. I’ve also concentrated on writing about things that mean a lot to me and aren’t just about heartbreak. I’ve changed a lot since I wrote ‘Endless Soul’ at 22 and I think my new stuff shows me evolving over the years.

What is your EP Not Her Own all about?
It’s mainly about challenging the roles we often find ourselves subject to in society. It’s about being ok within your skin and accepting that, although you might not fit certain stereotypes, you have a right to live in a way that makes you happy. It’s also got a hint of the old subject of love and heartbreak, to maintain that human/vulnerable side that often creeps up in music and art.

Who would you say are the five artists who’ve influenced the EP the most?
Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Emma Ruth Rundle, Perfume Genius.

What advice would you give young singer-songwriters who are trying to break the industry?
Work hard and keep going. Remember your love of music that is (or should be!) at the root of all you do. This personally gives me the strength to persist with it.

What do you think about the role of women in the world of new music?
I think if it’s good music it’s good music. If it’s bad then it’s like any other person who creates bad music. Music isn’t about gender, it’s about creative expression and personal taste. If you don’t like it don’t listen to it. I don’t think that can be restricted to a gender.

What’s the meaning behind your single ‘I’m Not This Layer of Skin’?
It basically challenges the shallow portrayal of women in the media. We all like to look good and there’s nothing wrong with that, but I think our insecurities are being exploited, so I ranted about it in a song. There is more to us females than what we look like and I just wanted to bring some focus to that.

Are you playing live anywhere soon?
Yes, I am launching my EP Not Her Own on 17 June at Urban Bar in Whitechapel!

Huge thanks to Yvonne for answering our questions!

Not Her Own, the new EP from Yvonne McDonnell is out this Friday, 17 June.

Find out more about Yvonne McDonnell on her Facebook page.