YANA: The ‘Monday Is OK’ Mix

Let’s get into this curated selection inspired by YANA’s contemplative and ambient style, a ritual of its own, a soundtrack for introspection and serenity.

Listen and read the interview below:

Please introduce yourself…

Who are you:

Hello, I’m YANA (Joanna Bieńkowska), instrumentalist and composer.

Where are you:

Gdańsk, Poland

What are you:

I’m all the thoughts that are spinning in my head.

Tell us about the Monday mixtape you’ve put together for us.

When I finished preparing it, I noticed that the mixtape was quite naturally arranged in three parts: the first, with the lyrics, the middle, instrumental and the last – ambient one. The mixtape contains songs by great artists, my favorite musicians, who have inspired me for years.

If it were to be drawn what would it look like?

In some space in nature there would be people who would gradually disperse in different directions until eventually only the horizon would remain in their field of vision.

If it were a food what would it be?

A sourdough bread with browned butter and coarse salt.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

A train carriage.

What should we be wearing

Jeans and a loose, warm sweater.

Where was it recorded?

At my home.

How do you feel about Mondays in general, excited…or?

I really like Mondays because that’s when I get back into action, I like when things happen. I hate Sundays.

Who got you hooked on electronic music?

Rival Consoles.

Who would you say are your biggest influences and what are you hoping to achieve with your music?

Keaton Henson, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Josin, Ólafur Arnalds, Brad Mehldau, Thom Yorke. I would love for my music to spread around the world. I want to explore new paths, create new things, open my eyes wider. Want to play a lot of shows and make music for some challenging and fascinating projects.

What were your original aspirations as musicians and how do you think you’re shaping up?

At first I wanted to play in an orchestra as a violinist and I studied in that direction for almost 20 years. After my studies at the music academy, already playing in a professional orchestra, I understood that I didn’t want that anymore, and I really wanted to create my own music. It was a brave move, considering how many years i devoted to my education, but i think that in many ways it prepared me for what i do now. And i’m very happy that i dared to make that change.

Some self help questions for a Monday:

Am I excited to dive into the challenges that i have lined up for the week?

Oh yes! So many great things ahead.

Am I looking forward to engaging with the people i am meeting or working with?

In most cases – yes! I try to surround myself with the inspiring people with good and healthy energy.

Am I going to my dream job?

Making music is a dream job, so yes!

Am I being compensated fairly for the value i bring to my job?

The feedback I’m receiving about my latest release makes me feel really well compensated for that very moment.

Do I feel energized, rested, and confident?

Maybe not rested enough, but autumn is always very busy. But energized and confident – yes.

If you were trapped on a desert island with one other person, who would you choose? How long would it be before you eat them?

I don’t think I would ever be able to eat someone. And don’t want to be trapped anywhere, even if it’s somewhere nice. Freedom is priceless.

Your doctor says you need more exercise….what do you take up for exercise?

Jogging, hiking, walking.

If you could travel in time…where in time would you go? Why?

I would like to travel back to the times in which Jane Austen lived, so XIX century in England, and check if people were actually a bit more romantic then than they are now.

What was the first electronic record you heard and how did it make you feel?

I don’t think I can recall that moment… but this kind of music always energizes me and drives me to action. It has a liberating effect on me, I can dance to it myself.

How does your brain work when making music? How does it work when you aren’t?

Creative activity stimulates me, moves me, and sometimes even puts me in a kind of ecstatic state. Sometimes this musical work is more laborious, but it still makes me feel good. When I do not create for a longer period of time I feel a lack. I noticed this some time ago and understood how much it means, because I have never felt anything like this before.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first album i bought with my own money was Linkin Park – Meteora. :)) The last one was most probably some vintage record from the flea market.

What are you obsessed with at the moment?

The autumn colors – as always!

What’s your answer to everything?

If I had the answer to everything, life would be terribly boring.

Anything else we need to discuss.

Just wanted to invite you to listen to my new record Daydreamer released by OPIA Community! 🙂

TRACKLISTING

Keaton Henson – Dorma 3:42
The Smile – Open The Floodgates 4:29
So You Are Tired – Sufjan Stevens 4:50
Vega Trails – Love Your Grace 2:32
Thom Yorke – Knife Edge 3:20
Nonkeen – that love 7:46
The Hum II – The Vernon Spring 2:05
Colin Stetson – Rain Song 3:01
Yana – Tender 4:22
Sofi Paez – Everywhere 3:53
Valentin Hadjadj – Closer from „Close” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 4:13
Claude Debussy, Alain Planes, Reverie, L. 68 3:53
Jean Kapsa – Dernière Fete 3:08
Yana – All Alone 2:08
Chilly Gonzales, Jarvis Cocker – The Tearjerker Returns 3:33
Robot Koch, Viktor Orri Arnason, Foam and Sand – Star as Eyes – Foam and Sound Rework 4:00
Jóhann Jóhannsson, Jonas Colstrup – Be Forgotten 1:36
Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm – Life Story 5:41
Jóhann Jóhannsson – Flight from the city 6:31