We had the good fortune of connecting with Yelpy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yelpy, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
So I think when you’re a artist or have that artistic itch, be it music or any other form of art, you really don’t have a choice but to follow it through and go wherever it takes you. For some people that’s giving up everything else and pursuing that art even if it means struggling and hardships. For other people that might mean balancing their art with other aspects of their life, be it family or work. But whichever the case it is clear to me that artists have little choice but to see it through and create art in any way they can. For me I’ve followed multiple paths. I’ve devoted myself entirely to my music and I’ve also had to balance my artistic aspirations with work and other things going on in my life. But like everything, it’s a balance and there is no one/right way to realize your inner artistic desires. You just got to always stay true to your art whilst being prepared to pivot or adjust when life throws you that inevitable curve ball.

So in a nutshell, for me personally, I had no choice. Music is in my soul and I always just needed to let it out no matter what. Whether that’s writing and performing in front of 1 or 1000 people it’s irrelevant, it’s just something I need to do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
So I’m a singer/songwriter from Ireland and I made the move to LA to better pursue my passion. I guess the best way I can describe my music is emotion. If you come to a show you’ll know what I mean. For me music is a way to take all those emotions you’re feeling inside and letting them out in front of others so that they can feel, in some way, what you are feeling instead of just hearing lyrics and singing along. I’d like to think they are feeling the lyrics and feeling along with the song. In fact one of my favorite things is seeing the faces on people when I’m playing, seeing the emotion in their eyes. It’s just an amazing feeling.

I guess the biggest challenge for me (and I’d assume almost every up and coming artist) is exposure. Just getting your stuff out there. You just want people to come on this journey with you, to come to your show and give you a chance to touch them in some little way that leaves a lasting impression on them. When that does happen it’s amazing but these days it’s can be very hard to build that following or find people that want to go on this journey with you.

I think we live in a world now with so much choice that it’s easy to get lost in the ocean of artists on some of these platforms. As a result, more and more artists are forced to push or “sell” themselves and that part of it is hard for me. I think every artist has an over simplistic idea in their heads where they sit down in a room, start singing and people begin to gather around more and more to hear them. The reality these days is more like the artist sits down and sings then another one sits down to sing, then another and another, until you’re left with a room full of artists all playing as loud as they can in an effort to have somebody, anybody come listen to them. In my mind that’s how the modern streaming platforms work today.

But the solution for me is perseverance. You only “fail” when you give up. As a musician you should never give up, you just need to keep on keeping on and slowly you’ll gather people along the way that will want to jump on board and believe in you. Never take anything or anyone for granted though, every person in your life and career is a gift and you owe it to them to not let their faith in you be in vain.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ha uh good question. Well firstly I’d take them to Native South Studios for a night of music and chilling with cool musicians. After that it’s all the typical LA things, drives up and down the PCH with the top down and the music playing (one of my favorite things to do). The beaches of course, Point Dume in Malibu being a stand out. Santa Monica and Venice also being must sees. I love Main Street in Santa Monica too. The usual tourist things like the Chinese Theatre and the stars etc… The Hollywood sign. For food it’s gotta be Toi on Sunset. The Sunset strip is also a good one; The Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go, Rainbow, Roxy etc… The hikes, I love the hikes, the M.A.S.H. hike in Malibu Canyon Creek being a stand out. Topanga Lookout Trailhead which is in the Malibu Hills looking down on all of LA (I’ve shot two music videos there actually), it’s amazing.

Yeah hummm I’m sure there are lots more place I can’t think of right now but these ones I love. ✌️

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
OMG where to begin. So many people without whom I’d still be playing guitar alone in my room…

First and foremost my manager Ieva Georges. She does EVERYTHING for me, I’d be lost without her. She is not only beautiful and an amazingly talented actress who’s been in multiple TV shows, she also has this insane ability to connect, help and push people to be the best they can be!

Then there’s my producer Jonathan Smith (aka TheRealJonSmith) who’s not only an amazing drummer but a producer, songwriter, mixer and composer too. He was formally in the band Luna Halo and now runs Native South Studios, an amazing recording studio and venue in Westlake Village. Jonathan has an godly ability at taking songs I have either half written and co-writing them with me to take them over the finish line OR taking something I’ve written and just making it better in every way! I’d be lost without this guy. We only just recently released (just this past Saturday) our new song Gravity and just one listen to that song will give you some idea about how good he really is. I’m so proud of this song!

I have to also mention another Jonathan, Jonathan Martin who is the director of the video for our new song Gravity. He basically made the whole thing with his team on a shoestring budget. This video looks like a million dollar project. Every time I see it I’m in awe at his talent. Such a genius and I am so thankful I got to work with him on this one. Check out his work on Gravity over on my YouTube channel, you’ll be blown away!

Next is family. It’s hard being here in LA away from all my family and friends back in Ireland but I talk to them every day and they show so much interest and support in everything I do that I am truly blessed and lucky to have them. I hear some people’s stories in regards to their tough upbringing and tenuous family relations. I am sooooo thankful that is not me. My family are amazing and are always there for me, in my corner cheering me on.

I’d also like to take a moment to thank all the countless people that worked on our new video Gravity. So many people were involved and they all did it because they believed in Jonathan’s vision. They are true heroes to me and I’d have nothing without them.

Lastly my fans. Those people who stream my songs and show up at the gigs. They are who I do this all for. They are the glue that holds this all together. Without them I’d be just another guy with a guitar and dreams playing songs to his mother back home in Ireland. ha ha! 💗

Website: https://www.yelpy.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yelpy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yelpy

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Yelpy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YelpyPage

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yelpy

Other: Pandora: http://bit.ly/yelpy_pandora Spotify: http://bit.ly/yelpy_spotify Amazon: http://bit.ly/yelpy_amazon YouTube Music: http://bit.ly/yelpy_youtube Apple Music: http://bit.ly/yelpy_itunes …and check out my new video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XXmtokcBXpQ

Image Credits
Ieva Georges (the girl in the pics that aren’t me ha)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.