Q&A: Yoshi Flower
Words by Ariel Morer
“I hope this project is part of a larger conversation that makes recovery and drug addiction more of a prioritized concern.”
Singer-songwriter Yoshi Flower, born Joshua Smith, is an open book. Despite boasting releases under UMG’s Interscope Records, collaborations with electro-pop sensation Elohim, and having been featured on Rolling Stone, the artist remains remarkably down-to-earth and allows his talent to speak for itself.
I had the privilege of speaking with the Detroit native about his latest EP, Ode, a collection of covers honoring artists who have passed away from addiction. Smith is particularly candid about his struggles with substance abuse and takes care to note that the artists being commemorated shaped him and his recovery process indelibly. With all proceeds benefitting addiction and mental health initiatives, Ode is an exemplary body of work both sonically and concretely.
Having resonated with this project as both a fan and an artist, it was especially meaningful to me to hear about the process that brought it to life.
AM: Hi Yoshi! I’m honored to pick your brain a bit and get inside your process of recording Ode.
YF: The feeling is mutual Ariel, I'm grateful to connect with you.
AM: The concept of this record was to honor artists who have passed away from addiction. Were there ever moments that made it difficult to complete the EP based on the way you related to the songs or was it more cathartic?
YF: When I began my journey in recovery I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make music, I had loads of anxiety about it because it had been so long since doing really anything not high. So I started playing covers to myself to reconnect and sort of go back to what I did as a boy, just playing songs I loved. I realized so much music I was drawn to came from these beautiful souls we lost too soon. That was the birth of this project, the recording was cathartic indeed, it gave me a sort of joy-pain that was quite visceral.
AM: Your vocal delivery adds an effortless depth to these covers that I really appreciate- was it difficult to figure out how to stylistically reinterpret the originals or did you rely more on your intuition?
YF: It was all intuition. I didn't feel very comfortable going "big" with these compositions, because the way I used the original versions of these songs to cope was in such solitary ways. These tunes and others were lifelines to me when no one else was around and the party was over.
AM: Your rendition of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” cut in places the original didn’t, as much as I adore that song. The rewritten melody was simultaneously gorgeous and painful to internalize- does music theory play any part in your process?
YF: With this project it was all feel. Since making it I've been able to open up more when I'm creating, and theory comes a bit more into play. I feel like this EP gave me a chance to somewhat "hard reset." Like finding that little button on the back of the old electronic that you had to poke with a needle to get to work again. Now I'm able to make more choices in my compositions and feel quite connected when using theory to pick which directions to pursue musically in a song.
AM: Do you have a favorite song off of this collection or one that you most resonate with?
YF: It changes quite often, but for now "Good News" by Mac really gets to me. The way he was able to remain understated with his delivery of such profundities really smacks me lately. Even just one line from it could take a day for me to really unpack.
AM: Is there anything else you hope audiences will glean from this EP?
YF: I hope this project is part of a larger conversation that makes recovery and drug addiction more of a prioritized concern. I hope the project shines light on how the music industry exploits and disproportionately monetizes martyrs, they really have no incentive to not push young artists to destruction. Most of all I hope it reaches the people it is meant for. The ones who need reassurance that there is light on the other side of suffering. I hope it brings people a bit of peace.
You can stream Ode on all major platforms and access Yoshi Flower’s mental health and recovery resources here.