Check The Notes with Yael Santé
Photo credit: Joshua Carter
Atlanta-based singer and songwriter Yael Santé has given new life to the Neo Soul sub-genre. Her voice has garnered comparisons to Amy Winehouse, but I’d add that her style has hints of Jill Scott and Emily King also. What I admire most is her hustle to learn every role in the production of her product, as she recently executive produced, wrote and arranged her upcoming EP. She’s a native of Denver, Colorado, an alumni of the prestigious Berklee College of Music but most importantly, she’s a first generation Panamanian-American, a piece of her identity that she wears with pride. Oh, and did I mention that she was featured in the first episode of SongLab on Youtube? I’ll be sure to leave that link below! Before you check that out, be sure to catch our dialogue below! Without further ado, Ms. Santé—
Let’s take it back to the beginning, how did you discover your gift? I honestly have a hard time pinpointing it. I’ve been singing since I was two or three and used to have a notebook where I wrote about how I practiced and how much I loved singing. I used to say “I think I’m getting good at this!” From as early as I can remember, I’ve always loved to sing and constantly did. My family told me I was good and always encouraged me to keep going…thank god they didn’t lie LOL!
Your music feels nostalgic at its core and I can hear pieces of Amy Winehouse in the fabric of your voice. How would YOU describe your voice and how did you develop your style of music? I feel so honored to have you mention Amy. In highschool, I studied her artistry as I found her honesty, witty lyrics and raw emotion to be fascinating. I think I’d describe my voice as tone heavy, warm and evoking. I mean this humbly, but I don’t think I’m so bad at delivering emotion and making people feel what I’m saying, because that is usually what a song is doing for me. As for my style, I have to attribute that to the music I listened to growing up. Neo soul, jazz and hip hop were heavy in my household. The elements of those sounds really influenced my ear for the grooves, chords and melodies that I choose when creating.
What inspires your pen and how do you balance that inspiration with lived experience in the lyrics? My life. Always. Everything I’ve released comes from something I’ve experienced. I’m not entirely sure if there is anything I really balance. If an experience made me feel some type of way, I grasp at that and turn it into music. It doesn’t always happen right away, but putting an experience into music is a massive part of how I process life.
Photo credit: Cxllab Productions
In what ways have you grown as an artist from The Romance EP to The Room? Wow, soooo much. At the center of it, I’ve had more life experiences and have grown as a person. I think over time, I’ve learned to hone in on the ideas I hear in my head and explain what I want when I’m working on a song or project. Since The Romance EP, I’ve tapped into being an executive producer, singing layers of bgv’s, more poetic but honest lyrics and exploring more of what I can do vocally.
Cultural backgrounds play an enormous part in our artistry, typically serving as a seasoning to whatever we’re cooking up; are there ingredients of Panamanian culture in your music? If so, where do they show up? Currently, I think it shows up the most in my song Close. The guitar groove has hints of Latin inspiration, but I dream of the day I can do something that is in Spanish and has much more of a Latin groove.
If you could lock in with one producer on a project, who would it be? This is sooo hard because I have many producers that I would love to work with! D Mile and Jack Dine are my top two at the moment. Many songs that are heavy in my rotation are produced by D Mile…songs that will pass the test of time for me. As for Jack Dine, his work with Alex Isley is absolute perfection.
What’s been your most memorable performance so far? To be honest, I feel like it’s yet to come. I have had some great performances, but the day I have a crowd singing the lyrics with me will be a dream come true. I’d love to really see people enjoying the music with me.
Has music always been your first love? Always. I knew music really felt special to me when I was a child listening to Break of Dawn by Michael Jackson on my portable CD player in the car and I felt like I was floating.
Photo credit: Joshua Carter
Atlanta remains notorious for producing great musicians across all genres, how do you want your part in that legacy to be remembered? Atlanta is actually a place I didn’t expect to be. I never thought I’d live here, but during my time here, my artistry really pivoted and I feel like I entered a chapter of growth I didn’t anticipate. I hope it will be remembered that I put my all into what I create and don’t shy from hard work.
Is the independent route intentional for you? And from your perspective, what are some ways the city could improve conditions & resources for independent artists? Being independent is not necessarily intentional, but I don’t believe I need a big label to “make it”. If the right people came along, with a respectful deal towards me as a person and creative, I’d take it. That’s something that hasn’t happened yet.
Atlanta has an active music scene and the film industry presence here is helpful, so I don’t have much to critique. My hometown is Denver and I’d love to see more industry events go to Denver, because it’s a slept on city when it comes to talent.
Who are some other independent artists in Atlanta that should be on everyone’s radar? Havier Davion and Lola Vialet. Point blank, period. They can sing their faces off, write and dance.
I read in another piece that your grandmother plays a part in your musical journey through food. What are three of your favorite dishes that mentally bring you back to her kitchen? I love how nostalgic this question is. I can picture my abuela dancing and cooking at the same time. One of these is not a dish, but these are the three foods I think of. Arroz con pollo, Plátano and Bacalao, because my mother really likes it.
What brings you joy these days? My dog Churro, my father’s laugh, morning phone calls with my mother and long drives with my boyfriend. They all make my heart feel so full.
You know I cant leave you without an extra nugget or two in the bag— Now that you’re familiar with the human beyond the music, you can get acquainted with Yael as an artist. I’ve assembled a five pack below for you to sample what she brings to R&B. Let this 20 minute ride catapult you into the depths of her catalog and keep an eye out for new music! And as promised, you can catch our star get busy in the song competition on SongLab here.