Yune Pinku

Photographed by Charles Wang.

Get to know Ash, who more commonly goes under the stage name “yune pinku”. Enjoy below a conversation and series of unique images that depict the young artist in a way that is authentic to who she is on and off stage.

Being on the go a lot as an artist, what place or activity makes you feel most connected to home, what do you do to re-set?

I think for me it’s very important to keep my mornings quite similar, just starting the day off in a normal way wherever you are. A big part also is having people around me who I know, and care about. Just acts like an anchor in the middle of the whirlwind.

Do you have a place, in particular, you enjoy spending your time?

I’m quite a homebody to be honest, but I really enjoy those odd days where you just find yourself wandering around, window shopping and listening to music. I love these really random spots, that people just stumble upon.

Tell us a little about the creation of your first solo EP “Bluff”.

Bluff was made during the last lockdown, and I guess unintentionally it had this hankering for energy and nightlife. It was the first time I felt quite confident in a body of music though, and also what gaged the first interest of me on an industry level, so it was quite a turning point.

Who are your main influences as an artist and who shaped your style as a DJ?

I think as a DJ I kind of just wing it, every time I just try and do a little better. As an artist, so many people have inspired me in small ways that it’s hard to pinpoint. I remember Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Cocteau Twins, all these songs just charged with effort and emotion, really inspiring me through the sheer feeling they would give the listener.

What motivated the shift from listening to creating music yourself?

Since I was a kid, I always tried my hand at everything. So if I liked a sculpture, I’d try and do one. Same with music, I was just curious if I’d be any good. It was also something that seemed to fit me well, just sitting alone with headphones on, kind of between worlds, messing about with guitars and synths on GarageBand. And once the ball got rolling, it became this really love way to spend time, and a way to release or expel these feelings out of yourself.

Who do you wish to reach with your music?

I think wise-listeners, and what I mean by that is people who are really into looking for the Easter eggs, and hidden meaning within projects. People who are willing to put in the effort to really understand what a song is trying to say.

Tell us about your heritage. How has your background inspired you, and possibly shaped your music style?

I’m a born & raised Londoner, but I’m Malaysian-Irish. Irish music was such a distinct memory as a child, at the end of the night people would play instruments and sing, or listening to the bands play with flutes and violins and drums. It felt very folky and timeless.

Yune Pinku / Closely

Credits:

Artist: yune pinku / @yune.pinku
Photography: Charles Wang / @charleswangggg
Creative dir & Interview : Fee-Marie Löbel / @feetasticcc
Stylist: Alice Lipizzi / @strafiko
Make-up: Monique Gold / @moniquegoldmakeup
Hair: Frances de Havas / @francesdehavas
Photo assistant: Ansen Shen / @syl_ono
Styling assistant: Sophie Wray / @awesome.soph55
Makeup assistant: Alyona Kundryk / @alainaamua

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