Yasmin Williams (born 31 May 1997) is an American composer and solo performing finger-style guitarist[1][2][3] from northern Virginia. She plays several instruments like the kalimba, harp-guitar, and guitar with the strings facing up while on her lap.[4]

Yasmin Williams
BornVirginia, United States
Genres
Instruments
  • acoustic guitar
  • harp guitar
  • kalimba
  • kora
Years active2012–present
Labels
  • Spinster
Websitewww.yasminwilliamsmusic.com/home

Early life and education

Williams grew up in Northern Virginia.[5] In December 2017, she graduated from New York University with a degree in music theory and composition.[6][7]

Music

Williams was inspired to start learning guitar from the game Guitar Hero 2. She plays the guitar in an inventive way, tuning the strings to be in harmony then playing it a bit more like a piano with lots of finger picking while the guitar sits in her lap. She also adds in other elements, often to introduce rhythm to her wordless compositions.[8] 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."[8] Rolling Stone describe her songs as "textured, harmonious soundscapes".[9]

William's second studio album, Urban Driftwood, was written during 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown and was influenced by the Black Lives Matter protests during the summer.[10]

Discography

Albums

EPs

  • Serendipity (self-released, 2012)

Singles

  • I Wonder (2018)
  • Take That Step (2019)
  • Dragonfly (2020)
  • Nova to be (2022)
  • Dawning (2023)

References

  1. ↑ Currin, Grayson Haver (April 28, 2021). "The Face of Solo Guitar Is Changing. It's About Time" – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ↑ Bernstein, Jonathan (February 3, 2021). "Song You Need to Know: Yasmin Williams, 'After the Storm'". Rolling Stone.
  3. ↑ "Yasmin Williams Transcends All Guitar Norms In Her Tiny Desk Contest Entry". NPR.org.
  4. ↑ 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 2021-08-15. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Bio". Yasmin Williams.
  6. ↑ "Fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams has a new record, "Urban Driftwood"". The Washington Post. 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
  7. ↑ "Yasmin Williams | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-center.org.
  8. 1 2 Sodomsky, Sam (January 28, 2021). "Yasmin Williams: Urban Driftwood". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  9. ↑ Bernstein, Jonathan (2021-02-03). "Song You Need to Know: Yasmin Williams, 'After the Storm'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  10. ↑ Stanley, Laura. "Yasmin Williams' Fingerstyle Guitar Cuts Through Current Climate on 'Urban Driftwood'". No Depression. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  11. ↑ "Yasmin Williams: Urban Driftwood". Pitchfork.
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