Folk musician Kim Yang’s new EP Brave has been a long time coming.
Starting out recording two singles in early 2020, funding from artsACT allowed the project to expand into to a fully-fledged four-track EP.
Originally scheduled to coincide with the EP release in September, Yang will take the stage for an EP launch concert at The Street Theatre on 17 December.
The 90-minute performance, Yang’s first ticketed headline show, will see her lead a five-piece band.
The size and scale of the show is new territory for her, a titillating prospect for the Taiwanese-Australian singer-songwriter who is used to performing solo.
“It’s so exciting because the stage, lighting and everything is so amazing, so beautiful and professional,” she told Canberra Daily.
Brave is a follow up to Yang’s 2019 debut EP, Ocean of Mind – a stripped back, acoustic record that was recorded quite quickly. This time around, she was keen to wind out and develop her sound.
“Since my first EP is very acoustic and really, quite personal, for this one I wanted to bring in more musicians to work on the project,” she said.
“I have a lot of personal stories I want to tell but I think, sonically, I want to make it a bit bigger.”
While postponing the concert was initially difficult, eventually Yang took it in her stride as a break away from music and promotion.
That didn’t last too long, however; her brain constantly at work, Yang quickly found herself using social media to engage with her fans and collaborate with other musicians.
“I just really long for conversations with people,” she said.
In lieu of a performance, a music video for one of the tracks, Fantasy, was released in September to tie into the EP release, while a video for the title track, Brave, will be released this month.
The Brave music video will feature crowdsourced recordings of fans dancing to the song which Yang organised over social media.
“It’s just nice to bring people together with my music projects.”
Produced by Guy Lilleyman and mastered by Dax Liniere, the EP includes musical contributions from Lilleyman, cellist Tabitha Hart, keys from Jonah Myers, and drums and percussion from Naomi Smith.
Yang will be joined by Hart, Myers, Smith and bassist Matt Nightingale for the show, with Evan Buckley opening.
Kim Yang’s Brave EP Launch concert will be held at The Street, City West, 17 December 7.30pm; Click here for tickets and more.
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