YAKO! and her Music
I met Nicole at the CMII building located in downtown Atlanta as part of the Georgia State University Campus - she came to audition for GSU’s National Collegiate Entertainers Group. On sight, I found her lovely and with a great desire for adventure. We talked about her wardrobe, “does this look okay?” and immediately felt like we had been friends forever. While she was waiting to be called in she performed a song for me in the hallway- it was so beautiful. I fell in love with her.
She then invites me to see her perform at Smith’s Olde Bar. I arrive to admire her from the crowd. However, before the show started- she was going around the room as people continued to arrive. There was much debate: Skirt or pants.
Despite the overwhelming vote for the pants she was already wearing the skirt- she chose skirt.
Although, considering these videos of her will be immortalized forever, I chose pants-but now I understand: skirt.
This location gave the show a garage band feel. Yako also makes it feel as though she has invited us into her home or into even into her mind of music. Her dad was there and she told jokes for the two of them to enjoy- it was charming and relatable. Happy to see her dad supporting her creativity- it was wholesome enough to warm the whole room up. I enjoyed the crowd too and made some friends while I was there. Oh! We even used our phones to do the classic look of lighters from the audience. Yako’s talent and her comedy can turn any crowd into supportive bunch of happy people.
Tiramisu @ Eddie’s Attic
Curated and Hosted by @fairchild.revue (instagram)
Performances by: Earthtones, Yako, The Chris Sanchez Experience
July 7th, 2024 @ Eddie’s Attic (515 N McDonough St, Decatur, Ga 30030)
What was it like to go to the show? (Click to see portfolio)
(Earthtones plays their set) Yako comes to the stage. I got the opportunity to be seated at reserved table at the front of the stage. She greets me in this beautiful green top, hair amazing as usual, and a shiny broch that was meant to distract me from her boobs but honestly just made them more wonderful. lol I digress-
She has a thearmus of hot tea that smells like soup and a quality water bottle. I am babysitting this cup of tea and watching the band get set up. Yako is effortlessly charming and delightful on stage as she opens with gratitude to Owen, her boyfriend :) for putting the show together and for joining her on stage.
We meet the other members of the band (@fairchild.revue is guest starring, @jadonliantoine and Rob on bass but I don’t have his social media or the drummer’s info.) and the music begins to play. She plays a song I know from the last show, I am holding the phone and looking through the screen. I glance at her in front of me and I realize this is an INCREDIBLE moment! I get lost in her trance. I am gazing at this actual artist, thinking of how much time she has spent with her guitar- finding her voice. I am in awe. I have to be present-
The moment I was being present in:
I am 28. Freshly graduated from college, with not just a sociology degree but a whole group of creative, supportive and inspiring friends. And Yako is so beautiful. This venue is something out of a movie- like I live in the city of Atlanta and there is art all around me. (inhale) People who love art all around me. Beautiful people. (exhale)
“Is this what it is like to be friends with Beyonce?” I start to cry a little. I love indie music so much and I am here in the front row watching Nicole be Yako with these other talented musicians. This is it! This is the moment of arrival. After this, it’s just a numbers game. How many fans do you have, listens on Spotify, and how many cities are your touring in? It’s a spiritual experience. A true becoming. I am so exhilarated to be here to witness it.
Yako is a sight to indulge in as she explores her range- she can S I N G.
My eyes are welling up just thinking about her singing… “This is it” I told my friends Treston and Rocky. “You guys are real artists. The poster. The venue. The audience. You are here. This is it.”
Next up is The Chris Sanchez Experience, He asks her to join their performance- it was ambient and perfect.
I participated from the audience all night, Yako is setting up for the next song and ask the crowd “who has the best shoes?” and we had already agreed on my toe shoes (Vibrams) at Lundell’s birthday party so I screamed out “ME, Yako! It is me.” while throwing my foot up in the air from my seat. Yako giggles and agrees with me into the mic. “Why are you so flexible?!” Jadon-Li asks. “I work on it” I smile.
The crowd was so grateful to be there. So much joy in the room. And then the voice of Yako, healing our hearts. Whatta show.
...
Recently had a movie night, watched Back to the Future with the projector on the ceiling! So cool. Thanks to Yako for swaying the vote- moved the couches, an air matress, and her tapitry on the rug. She lovingly offered to pick up snacks: Dill pickle chips, Sweet Chili Doritos, and unsweet vanilla Silk almond milk (just in case I didn’t like sweet). Adorable.
Then we played blindfold tag with grocery bags on our feet. I can’t stop laughing at her rolling away.
I love you Yako!
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You can follow Yako! on her journey : Here.
and on instagram @yakomusic
Also! she is in a band called
KITS! (@Kids in the Sand)
Congrats on your band and doing what you love. :)
THANK YOU for reading and interacting with the creatives listed.
Now, Enjoy these photos from my real life love and experience of Nicole, that is also Yako.
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