Nilüfer Yanya has been a notable voice on the indie scene for a number of years now. She’s released captivating records, opened for Adele, worked with King Krule and Sampha, and done so much more. The British musician’s new record My Method Actor, which features the singles “Like I Say (I runaway)” and the eponymous “Method Actor,” comes out September 13 through Ninja Tune. I was given the opportunity to interview her and inquire about the nature of My Method Actor, as well as some of her pre-tour experiences. Yanya will perform at the Royale in Boston for her upcoming album tour on October 2!
Fin: Hey, it’s so nice to meet you. I’ve been a fan for so long.
Nilüfer: Hi, it’s so nice to meet you, too.
Fin: Okay, so, would you be able to introduce yourself really quickly?
Nilüfer: Sure. My name is Nilüfer Yanya and I’m an artist in London. I’ve lived here my whole life.
Fin: Love that. You’re going to be touring soon for your new album My Method Actor, which I’m really excited for as a fan. So, I was wondering how have rehearsals and practicing and all that been so far?
Nilüfer: It’s actually gone really well. We’ve kind of wrapped up the rehearsals now for the main tour because, like, we’re doing like a small run of in-store gigs, like record shop gigs, next week. And then the album comes out and then we go on tour. So yeah, it was pretty intense. The whole of August and July was just like focused for me on rehearsals and logistics of everything. I mean, then we did some festivals like last weekend, just two festivals in the UK, and it was kind of like a nice test. Some things went well, and some things didn’t go well, but I’m excited to do like a proper show now. Yeah.
Fin: To add on to that, what’s been your favorite song from the new album to perform so far?
Nilüfer: Maybe… I don’t know, actually. They’re kind of scary! I’m still at that stage where it’s like, I don’t know if I’ve actually enjoyed it.
Fin: Like it’s still too new, yeah.
Nilüfer: Like getting to know them, I mean like we start the show with “Method Actor,” which is a pretty cool way to start I think. So, it’s nice to start like that as if you have the confidence to come in with a new one at the beginning. So yeah that’s been cool.
Fin: Real, real. I’m going to be seeing you in October with some of my friends from Tufts, so I’m really excited for that, and I literally just moved into my dorm like a few hours ago, so none of my posters are up, so hopefully I can get a poster there which will be really great!
Nilüfer: Where are you calling from? Which city will I see you in?
Fin: In Boston!
Nilüfer: Okay, cool, yeah.
Fin: I was also going to ask. Have you been to Boston before?
Nilüfer: Yeah, I did. On the last tour. It’s really nice! I found this really nice ramen spot before.
Fin: Okay, real. Because I’m not from here, I only go to school here, so I’m still… I need to find the time to like… be able to explore the city.
Nilüfer: Like where Harvard is and stuff like. It’s kind of like… That was crazy when I realized, I was like, wow, this is where Harvard people go.
[disclaimer: Tufts University and WMFO would like to remind WHRB 95.3 FM who got a Nilüfer Yanya interview and who did not]
Fin: Yeah, that’s like 15-minute T ride, like it’s right there! Back to the album, though, what do you think the most underrated track will be once it’s released and people perceive it?
Nilüfer: It’s really hard to say. You just never know, like even guessing the singles, like trying to make the singles. It’s like you have no idea what’s gonna land the way you imagine it to land, I think. There’s a song on the album called “Binding,” which I really wish could have been a single because I feel like it is a single, but it’s just long and it’s a bit slow, so I think it takes a while to get to the really catchy bit. But to me it’s like, you know, it’s just as worthy as a single. I hope people choose that one to be a single.
Fin: Yeah, totally. And just going off that, the first song that kind of follows that structure that came to mind was like, “Heavyweight Champion [of the Year],” and that was one of my favorite songs that you have released. So, I’m sure it’ll be great.
Nilüfer: Yeah. Thank you.
Fin: If you were to give your new record a color palette, what kind of colors would you envision?
Nilüfer: That’s a good question. Let me see… Like golden kind of colors, yeah.
Fin: Real, okay. And then, kind of in a similar vein, at Tufts’s main music publication Melisma Magazine and also at some other like more globally recognizable ones like Pitchfork, they have like a “recommended if you like” type of thing where it’s like the random things and media and items and other things that it’s like “You will like this Clairo album if you like labradoodles and Joni Mitchell and like random stuff like that.” So, anyways, what are some things that would prompt a recommendation of your album?
Nilüfer: Hmm… If you like hiking, like going for long walks, like outside, I think. And then also sitting down and having coffee undisturbed.
Fin: What are some, like, sonic influences and styles that we might hear on the rest of the new record that hasn’t been heard in any of the released singles yet?
Nilüfer: I feel like what for me… I mean like Big Thief. I feel like they kind fo have this really cool band sound and it’s been kind of like inspiration in my last two albums. Like, even though my music doesn’t sound like that at all. It’s still like that fluidity that they have. I mean, also not the sameness, but like the strength and that sound. Yeah, I feel like that’s an influence for me.
Fin: Real, love Big Thief. Then kind of paralleling that, the last question is what are some of your favorite musical releases this year?
Nilüfer: Have you heard this new song by — do you know Fousheé?
Fin: Yeah, I’ve heard some of her stuff. I think so. She’s worked with, like, Steve Lacy and Ravyn Lenae.
Nilüfer: Yeah! So, they’re working together again! There’s a new song called “Still Around.” It came out like maybe last month or the month before. Actually [she] just put on another one called “War,” but “Still Around” is like so good.
Fin: I want to listen to it because I haven’t listened to too much of her solo stuff, but I’ll mark that down.
Nilüfer: That’s cool.
Fin: So, that’s kind of really all the questions that I had. If you have any closing remarks on your record or your tour or anything that you would like to share, please go ahead! If not, that’s also chill.
Nilüfer: I just want to say, I hope to see everybody at the show! But just like, thank you for listening to my music and supporting the journey.
Fin: Well, thank you so much for your time and everything! This has been really great. I’m so excited to see you perform in just a little bit over a month now, it’s like really coming up then.
Nilüfer: Yeah! See you really soon. Have a good one.
Fin: Thank you! Have a nice afternoon.
You can stream Nilüfer’s new album on Spotify here or on Apple Music here.