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WHO IS YANNI... “In some ways I look back on my childhood and don’t see too many differences today! I loved music and creating it, visual arts, socializing and being around people all the time. I was always nagging my mum to take me to lessons for acting, dancing, arts, music, you name it, I wanted to do it.”
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Was it your youth or your studies that really created the music of Yanni today? I think the freedom my parents gave me as a child to pursue all creative arts has a direct result on who I am today. My parents never forced me to do anything, and allowed me to experiment with different hobbies and talents, but it was always up to me if I wanted to continue or try something else. I think this has given me the flexibility and confidence to try new things as an adult and expand my creative output. Which of your parents do you take after more, if both describe? I think I take after my mum much more than my dad. My mum is passionate, fiery, very greek and highly motivated, my dad has these qualities but he’s also very Australian country boy and not into people. I am not Australian country boy, and I love people. How did you find music or did it find you? I think music found me, my middle school had an amazing music program and offered free lessons to students. Someone asked me if I wanted to play the flute or the double bass, an
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unfortunately for my parents, I chose the double bass! What was the driving force that took you to New York? I think the grandeur and excitement of the city attracted me. It always seemed like a place that was full of life, culture, independence and I wanted a piece of that. Has New York opened more doors for you? New York is definitely one of those sink or swim places. When I first moved there I was living off nothing, and my favorite google search was “Free Open Bar�. The city made me resourceful, creative, business savvy and determined. That combined with the people that make up New York, and you are literally equip to do anything you set your mind to. Tell us about Juilliard.
certainly stressful and had its ups and downs, but overall, what an incredible experience. The best part about Juilliard for me was the friendships I made and the constant exposure to some of the best musicians and educators in the world. It set me up with the tools and work ethic to perform at a high level, and created a space where I was free to dive into the world of (classical) music and do nothing else for two years. Did Juilliard change the direction of your music? Good question, yes and no, I think it become clear to me after graduating that I wanted more than a traditional classical music career. At the same time I think it helped instill the work ethic and drive that it takes to be successful in most fields. So for me, I used the education to further my craft as a singersongwriter and entrepreneur.
Juilliard was amazing, it was
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Tells us what it is like to be the producer and general manager of the Salome Chamber Orchestra? My time with Salome Chamber Orchestra was an amazing experience. As General manager I had the incredible opportunity to meet some of the worlds best classical and pop artists, organize tours throughout Europe, and perform with incredibly talented colleagues. It was such a blessing to get a job straight out of college that allows you the freedom to create and connect with keys players in the music world. Most singers are a part of a band either as just background support or as part of the whole experience. Describe what musical support you have. When I first started singing and songwriting I went all out, no idea who I managed because I had NO money. But I had a string quartet, pianist, drums, backing vocalist, guitarist and sometimes another bassist! Cramming into a NYC club was hilarious, we had to sometimes spill into the audience. These days I mostly work with producers and then when it comes to a live show I sing to a track and add in a couple of fabulous dancers!
Photo of Yanni by Charles Quiles 9
Do you have a home studio? I have recorded in my bathroom, my friends bathroom, living rooms, bedrooms, and a few real studios! I work with a few producers that I really love, and each producer has their own set up!
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In your life who has been your main influences:
Before High School-
I think during this part of my life, my mum was my biggest influence, she allowed me to explore all my creative passions and encourage me to try new things.
During high school-
This is wear I found some influence from educators and friends. My double bass teacher opened up the idea of having a career in music and songwriting, and my friends helped develop these passions.
After high school-
Definitely my educators during my time at the San Francisco Conservatory. I think I owe a lot of my success as a musician to my time there. My teachers, and professors gave me the tools and resources I needed to develop as a musician and person.
Who today right now has your admiration or who you are using as a mentor to propel your music to its next level or evolution? I’m constantly inspired by my friends, colleagues and collaborators. Whether it is starting a new project with a friend or producer, or being involved in some one else’s work, its always an inspiring and instructive experience for me.
Photo of Yanni by Charles Quiles 11
Your music has/is described as Pop for the most part, but to be honest, you have a more unique style? You’re too kind, honestly you’re making me blush! I certainly love pop music, but I guess what make makes it different to traditional pop is the influence of classical music. I love strings and piano, and I feel those instruments give an extra layer of depth and emotive qualities to pop music. How many instruments can you play? Professionally I really only play the double bass, but I can make my way around the piano and guitar, but rarely in public!
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Worth It
End Up Missing Beautiful
Mess Around Your music videos are very moving, sexy, and artistically done. They really help the viewer feel the emotions through visual and sound. I would like you to describe to us how each song came to be; what was the trigger, or experience that caused you to put it to music and was the video concept yours or collaboration...
Awake
Tove Lo - Habits 13
Yanni Burton’s “Worth It” Questions the Value of an Intoxicating Fling Yanni Burton is dangerously in love in his new single and music video, “Worth It,” a song he wrote with Nate Campany (Dua Lipa, Carly Rae Jepsen, Adam Lambert, Christina Aguleria and Tove Lo) about the intoxicating and sometimes overwhelming sensation of an exciting new passion. “It was inspired by the time I was performing a classical music festival inside a European castle in the middle of nowhere,” Yanni reflects. “I met a boy, went boy crazy, and wildness ensued.” Produced by Lars Soderberg (Lauv, Adam Rickfors, Black Eyed Peas’ Printz Board), “Worth It” is Yanni Burton’s fourth independent single release this year. It is available now on Apple Music, Spotify and all digital platforms. Its music video is on Youtube. The video takes the story of a playful fling between boys and explores what happens when it transforms into a toxic situation, where pushing the boundaries of fun and games turns into a life altering moment. Directed by Tiger Darrow, the video captures a late seventies European summer vibe, depicting Yanni as fledgling gay being seduced by a charming, edgy bad boy (played by Kevin William Reed) and led into breaking into a Connecticut mansion. The boys frolic around the gardens in their underwear, make-out in the massive swimming pool and have sex all over the house. “The idea is that relationships can be one sided and dangerously blind,” says Yanni. “The price can be high and you have to wonder, is it worth it?” 14
Click to Watch Video
“The vibe was a “Call me by your name” aesthetic with a bad boy meets good boy story line. The video and the song have two very different meanings, but together they create a whole new story and way to enjoy the song and the video.” 15
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Again, this was another collaboration with close friends of mine James Daniel, the director and Cassidy Noblett, the choreographer. Together we came up with an abstract visual concept of trees growing to represent the idea of relationships growing. They assembled the most incredible team and we shot out in Joshua tree, and it happened to snow for the first time in 60 years‌It was rough, but visually 100% worst it.
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This video I created with a friend of mine, photographer, Charles Quiles. We were room mates at the time and decided we would rent out a studio in china town, cover myself and a few friends in gold paint and make something!
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This video was collaboration wi came to her with the song and a there we created this world of m emotionally and physically, to c our friends and pumped it out in Click to Watch Video 20
ith Danish Director Maria Brunn. I a rough idea for the video. From misfits liberating themselves create Mess Around. We roped in all n a one day shoot!
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Click to Watch Video
Awake was the very first music video I made with James Daniel, who also created Broadway dancer. This process was truly a meeting of the minds. I came in with th 22
End Up Missing. I also worked very closely with fellow Australian Reed Luplau, a he music, Reed developed the dance language and James developed to story. 23
This is one of my favorite songs!!! I discovered Tove Lo a few years back at a random gig I went to, turns out it was hers, I paid $12 for the ticket and it was one of the best concerts I had ever attended. After the gig I went home and made this cover! My friend Tiger recorded is for me and sang back up vocals, and another friend of mine shot it in my living room!
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Click to Watch Video
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Yanni, I have to ask especially because I see in most interviews, and in most of your videos, you have no problem taking off your shirt. Is it because sex sells and gets more streams? For me its more about sharing my fitness Journey, and yes OK, a little extra skin does get some attention. I was very overweight as a kid, and it wasn’t until my college years that I started taking my health seriously. I’m also kind of a goal oriented/obsessed person, so once I saw the results I started to set the bar higher and higher. So my nakedness is in part a little of sharing my progress and results, and getting a little extra attention, which in turn isn’t bad for the streams ;)
writing music for others? I think for now I’m really enjoying making music videos, and singles and will continue on this path for the foreseeable future. However I would love to start working on other artists creative projects as a production/producer type person, whether that be song writing, video projects or concerts. Are you working on a new song that you can tell us about?
I am working on a couple new tracks actually! I have on that is scheduled to come out very soon, you’re actually the first to know. Cassidy Noblett and the Commercial Dance Intensive invited me to create the music video with their incredible staff and students, Tell us what you have its going to be a total trip, planned for the next few but that’s all I can tell you years in your music and at the moment ;) I have music writing. Are you another track I’m working going to keep doing videos, on with Tiger Darrow and singing on stage, or are Torna Music that will be a hot you considering taking a sweaty summer jam :) step sideways and maybe
If you could sing with another performer, who would that be? Why? Or if you have more than one for different reasons please share… oooh, there’s so many interesting artists I’d love to sing with…but unashamedly it would be Lady Gaga, she’s been apart of my early to mid 20’s gay experience and the artist I feel like I could really connect with. You have a fondness/love for classical music, can you describe how this has influenced your career? I think it has shaped and influenced my entire career! Everything from the work ethic it instills in you, to the type of music I enjoy, to the way I write music. Classical music has been apart of my identity for as long as I remember and will always stay with me. At the end of the day do you want to continue to do
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pop music or would you like to switch to more of a classical genre? Or do you interchange them as you need too? I want to continue to do pop music for sure. For me, its more exciting, creative, and less stressful!! I will always play classical music, but as a profession, I would rather sing and dance! What is pop music to you? How would you define it and where do you see your place in it? I see myself in the pop space as a Troy Sivan meets Sam Smith and had Tove Lo as a baby. Two fun passionate romantic gay guys, with an unruly and strong female presence in their life‌does that make sense!? Pop music to me is about connecting with your audience with integrity while making it fun, danceable and a total vibe.
of Yanni by Dusty St Amand 27
Behind every good man, there is their partner/lover/or husband helping them be all they can be can you tell us about your Husband? How did you meet? I met Jordan at Industry Bar in New York at a midnight drag show!!! We always joke and say we crossed eyes during a death drop on stage. Was it love at first sight? Yes and no, I was immediately attracted to him, but emotionally unavailable, so it took some time! But There was always something from the very beginning that mad eye realize he was the one.
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Has your music been influenced at all by him and your lives together? 100%. He’s been my rock since day one and has influenced not only the creation of music, but also my career. He’s always there to bounce ideas off, give feed back, help set up a music video shoot, or just being aware when I need the space and time to be alone to write and create. Are you and Jordan planning to be fathers one day? Absolutely!!! We’d love to have two little ones, so they can grow up and support each other.
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Jordan, please describe your first meeting with Yanni. I had just moved to the city, and we both independently went to the local disco dance in Sept 2012. We both saw each other dancing across the dance room. After making eyes all night, but not making any moves, he went to leave, and along the way, his friend pushed him into me. That was the beginning of our friendship that later turned forevership. Tell us a little about yourself. I hear you like math and are very accomplished in your field. I’m originally from Alabama and moved up to go to school. I studied Math specializing in cryptography, and then got my Masters in mathematical finance. I spent some time working as a quant on Wall street, but now am working and living in the world of digital assets.
Tell us about what it is like to live with a very talented musician. I love it. One of my favorite moments is waking up to Yanni playing the bass or working out a song on the piano while I’m reading. It is quite a special thing to see how a song forms, and the various shapes that it takes along the way. My husband of 22 years and I are very different. I am more indoors and spend most of my life on the computer and he is a grease monkey and has to be moving, but we support each other. My question is it easy to support Yanni? Do you enjoy being part of his singing career? What has been the biggest challenge? Yanni and I are also quite different, but I think that is what makes it so special. We compliment each other in ways i didn’t even know I needed
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help with before I met him. I try and support him in all things, but music (and gym) are his top loves. It is definitely the highlight of my day to go to a concert at the local pub and see him sing. I couldn’t be more proud of him and how far he has come in this process. There hasn’t really been any challenges. I think maybe initially some of the subjects of the songs worried me, but not any more. It’s been a growing experience on my side for sure.
get them out of my head. I listen to his songs daily on one or more of my playlists because they can flow into so many different types of vibes. His Instagram is great. My grandma once asked me if he needed a shirt since he never took photos with one on. He works hard for his body, and I’m the one that gets to take the photos, so I find it quite agreeable.
Just because you love Yanni, do you like his music or are you more into another type of music? Also, what are your thoughts on his Instagram?
Fabulous!!
If you had one word to describe Yanni, what would it be?
If I had to boil down my music tastes, it would be angst-y teenage love songs. Yanni’s music isn’t really in that category, Thankfully, but i still can’t
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What advice would you give a person who wants to sing, write music and play one or more instruments? Just do it! There’s nothing to hold you back except yourself, don’t worry about what anyone else is doing or saying, because trust me, they are not doing what you are able to do it! So many times I’ve held back new songs, or performances because I was worried what people would think. Months down the road id release it and it would be a total success. Long story short, we are our own worst critic, get out there, have fun and create!
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Do you have words or a mantra you live by that helps you when things are tough or just having a bad day? Mine is simple: “Smile, it could be Worse�, but I find it to be true no matter how bad things get. What is yours and where did it come from? You are spot on. I have a similar vibe/ mantra. When I freak out, or complain or just have a bad day, I try to center my thoughts and remind myself that I am already in such a privileged space being able to create and share music, and that’s all I need to remember to get back on track. So in essence, we have very similar thoughts that we live by!
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Talking to the LGBTQQIP2SAA world one publication at a time.
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