Yasmin Williams
Yasmin Williams | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Virginia, United States |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | www |
Yasmin Williams (born May 31, 1997) is an American composer and fingerstyle guitarist from Northern Virginia.[1][2][3][4] She plays several instruments including the kalimba, harp guitar, and guitar with the strings facing up while on her lap.[5]
Early life and education
[edit]Williams grew up in the town of Woodbridge in Northern Virginia.[4] In December 2017, she graduated from New York University with a degree in music theory and composition.[6][7]
Musical career
[edit]
2009–2012: Beginnings and Serendipity
[edit]Williams became inspired to start learning guitar on her own after playing Guitar Hero II.[3] After being gifted her first electric guitar and amplifier, Williams practiced by ear until the release of her first EP Serendipity in 2012, when she was still a teenager. The project's production and recording were entirely handled by Williams herself.[8] From there Williams also became proficient in bass, twelve-string guitar, and classical guitar, before deciding to adopt the acoustic guitar as her primary instrument.[8]
2018–2020: Unwind
[edit]She later developed her style of playing the guitar by setting it face-up on her lap, tuning the strings to a specific harmony, then playing it using finger picking. She also adds in other elements such as two handed lap-tapping for added rhythm in her mainly instrumental compositions.[9][10] 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."[9] Rolling Stone describe her songs as "textured, harmonious soundscapes."[2]
In 2018, Willams independently released her first studio album, Unwind. The album honed her signature finger-style technique, and also utilized non-Western instruments such as the kalimba. The album features the composition "New Beginnings", which she wrote in high school.[11]
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 that summer.[12]
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.[13]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Unwind (self-released, 2018)
- Urban Driftwood (Spinster, 2021)[9]
- 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)
- Doc's Guitar (2023)
- Dawning (2023) (featuring Aoife O'Donovan, Kafari & Nic Gareiss)
- Virga (2024) (featuring Darlingside)
- Hummingbird (2024) (featuring Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves)
References
[edit]- ^ Currin, Grayson Haver (April 28, 2021). "The Face of Solo Guitar Is Changing. It's About Time". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021.
- ^ a b Bernstein, Jonathan (February 3, 2021). "Song You Need to Know: Yasmin Williams, 'After the Storm'". Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b Simon, Scott; Wharton, Ned (June 30, 2018). "Yasmin Williams Transcends All Guitar Norms In Her Tiny Desk Contest Entry". NPR.
- ^ a b Williams, Yasmin (February 18, 2025). "How 'losing' the Tiny Desk Contest launched Yasmin Williams' music career". NPR.
- ^ 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 April 6, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
- ^ Lingan, John (January 25, 2021). "Fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams has a new record, 'Urban Driftwood'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Yasmin Williams". Kennedy Center. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Marquez, Susan (March 1, 2024). "Yasmin Williams". Bluegrass Standard.
- ^ a b c Sodomsky, Sam (January 28, 2021). "Yasmin Williams: Urban Driftwood". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
- ^ Leslie, Jimmy (January 13, 2022). "Yasmin Williams is a True Guitar Hero for a New Generation of Players". GuitarPlayer.
- ^ Perlmutter, Adam (March 15, 2019). "'New Beginnings': A Contemplative Study by Yasmin Williams". Acoustic Guitar.
- ^ Stanley, Laura (January 21, 2021). "Yasmin Williams' Fingerstyle Guitar Cuts Through Current Climate on 'Urban Driftwood'". No Depression.
- ^ "ACADIA – YASMIN WILLIAMS". Official Charts. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
External links
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