Yvonne Ambrée Talks New Single, Her Voice And More

What is your earliest musical memory?

Singing to Roxette with my brother in the living room using a “highlighter pen” as a mic.

When did you begin songwriting and recording music?

I began writing songs as a teenager but don’t think I recorded anything until I was in my early 20’s living alone for the first time and buying a cheap interface and some fun instruments using ( maybe ) fruity loops or so. Haha.

Your new single ‘Thieves’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?

The story was inspired by me staying awake for a few nights while I had some personal decisions to make last summer and it felt almost impossible to rest at all. At one point I started thinking about all these other people that might be lying awake just like me and I felt less alone. I started writing the song the next morning I went into the studio.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, etc?

I love my Gibson LG1 from the mid 60’s and mostly play that guitar with some strymon pedals as well as the earthquaker Avalanche Delay pedal. As for synths I love playing the Prophet 5/10 but its too heavy and bulky for small tours so I would rather play my OP-1 or the MicroKorg for live situations.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Berlin, GER – gray / spacious / cold / honest / tempting

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?

I am planning to play some shows after the summer 24 and maybe a small tour in the fall in the US / east coast and maybe Europe but it’s all in the making right now.

Do you have a band that you perform with? If so, who is in the band and what do they play?

Not yet.

 Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

So many artists that I love – Joni Mitchell, Arthur Russell, Kelsey Lu, Gillian Welch, Fela, George Brassens, Tim Bernardes, Khadhja Bonet, Moses Sumney, Kate Bush, Andy Shauf, Ennio Morricone, Unknown Mortal Orchestra… too many to mention.

 How do you look after your voice?

I usually warm up and do vocal exercises on a regular basis. I studied vocals so I learned how to protect my voice and luckily never had any issues.

Do you have any further music releases planned for this year?

Yes I will be releasing a second single on June 13th called “Elusive” and more after the summer. Very exciting.

What makes Yvonne Ambrée happy and what makes you unhappy?

 Writing and producing new songs makes me happy as well as flowers, books, yoga, coffee, cheese and Staceys Jalapeño pita chips ( they are totally underrated I think and most people have never tried them which is a mystery to me) in no particular order.

 There are too many things going on in the world that can make one unhappy so I feel this is hard to answer – on a simple level I don’t like loud or aggressive people and crowds. It usually stresses me out and leaves me sad.