Today we’d like to introduce you to Jelani Yorker.
Hi Jelani, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I got started as a sound artist by DJing when I was living in DC before moving to LA in my early twenties. After being involved in the nightlife and working as an assistant for a record label, I decided to learn more about music production and I’ve spent the past decade expanding my skillset. I started doing live modular performances after posting videos of my creative process online and getting requests to make music live at nightclubs and warehouse raves. I’ve been able to release records of my modular recordings, perform at sound bath events using my equipment, and I’ve composed a live film score in the past few years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest obstacles so far have been mainly financial for me. Having to save up to afford the equipment to build my studio and the instruments I use. It was probably best this way because it made me slow down and be very intentional with everything that I purchased over the years. It also made me look for used gear on Craigslist, which was a gold mine for me when I was getting started. Once I knew the direction that I wanted to take sonically, I had to make sacrifices to make those dreams come true.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a techno music producer and live modular performer. I also offer mixing and mastering services that has let me work with a lot of local independent artists. I specialize in working with analogue modular synthesizers to create rhythmic grooves that I use for the basis for my records. I love the flexibility of modular systems to be able to create a different instrument for each recording, and because I mainly work with analogue instruments it forces me to record the moments because I can’t save presets or ideas unless it’s been recorded. This has helped me focus more on being in the moment. Recently I’ve released an EP on the label “Black Techno Matters” that I’m extremely proud of. It’s a collection of records that I feel I was able to hit flow state while making, which is a major accomplishment for the workflow that I’ve been trying to master.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
You can check out all of my studio records, some videos of my live performances, and info about my engineering services at JelaniMusic.com Also, you can send me a DM on instagram @92Jelani if you’re interested in having me perform at an event.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://JelaniMusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/92jelani/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@92JelaniMusic
- Other: https://92jelani.bandcamp.com/
