Yola (singer) explained

Yola
Caption:Yola in 2019
Birth Name:Yolanda Claire Quartey[1]
Birth Date:31 July 1983
Birth Place:Bristol, England
Label:Easy Eye Sound
Website:https://iamyola.com

Yolanda Claire Quartey (born 31 July 1983), known professionally as Yola or Yola Carter, is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. Her debut studio album Walk Through Fire (2019) received critical acclaim and earned her four Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist. Her follow-up, Stand for Myself (2021), received similar acclaim and earned her two more Grammy nominations. Yola made her acting debut in 2022, portraying "godmother of rock n roll" Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrman’s biopic Elvis, and later made her Broadway debut in 2024 when she began playing Persephone in Anaïs Mitchell's musical Hadestown.

Early and personal life

Yola was born in Bristol, England.[2] Her family tried to discourage her from music at a young age, as they thought it was an unrealistic career option.[3] [4] When Yola was just under 2 her father left her and her mother behind.[5] A single parent struggling to stay afloat, her mother was against Yola's dream to be a singer. It wasn't until Yola went to grammar school she had her first taste of freedom and started to pursue music. She later went to university in London and used her student loan to stay afloat while making music. She ended up becoming a university drop out and was evicted due to being unable to pay her rent. Yola was homeless for six months in her 20's and spent a week begging on the streets before getting enough money to travel back to Bristol.[6]

Career

Under her given name Yolanda Quartey, Yola first gained notice as a member of the Bristol band Phantom Limb, of which she was a member from 2005 to 2012. That band released two albums.[7] Yola has also performed as a guest vocalist and occasional songwriter for British musical acts like Sub Focus,[8] Massive Attack,[9] Bugz in the Attic,[10] Ginger Wildheart,[11] and Duke Dumont.[12]

Yola decided to launch a solo career after the death of her mother in 2013. She released her first solo EP, Orphan Offering, in 2016. In February 2019, she released her debut album Walk Through Fire on Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label, to much acclaim.[13] [14] [15] The album title references a fire which damaged Yola's home and she escaped.[16] AllMusic called the album "an extraordinary record, one designed to be part of a grand musical tradition, and it contains enough emotion and imagination to earn its place within that lineage."[17] Brittney McKenna of NPR Music's First Listen declared, "It's the work of an artist sure to stun audiences for years to come."[18] The Wall Street Journal stated, "The album is an introduction to a seasoned, major vocalist that stands to be remembered as a breakthrough."

Walk Through Fire was written, recorded and produced at Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Studio in Nashville. Auerbach produced the record and assembled an all-star cast for its creation.[19] Most of the songwriting was a collaboration of Yola and Auerbach with contributions from Bobby Wood, Pat McLaughlin and Dan Penn. The team of studio musicians included bassist Dave Roe, harmonica player Charlie McCoy along with former members of the Memphis Boys drummer Gene Crisman and Wood on piano. Additional vocals were contributed by Vince Gill, Molly Tuttle, Ronnie McCoury and Stuart Duncan.[18] The album was recorded and engineered by M. Allen Parker. Auerbach and Parker also mixed the project.[20] In March 2019, Yola made her American television debut on CBS This Mornings Saturday Sessions segment, where she played selections from Walk Through Fire.[21] She, alongside Sheryl Crow, contributed to two tracks on the debut album by The Highwomen.

Yola made a splash at the Newport Folk Festival 2019 with Rolling Stone proclaiming, "Yola became the single most sought-after voice at this year's festival. She played a triumphant side-stage show, served as an unofficial member of The Highwomen, and added her own vocals to performances by everyone from Dolly Parton to Dawes, who let the fast-rising singer take over for the entirety of their 2009 song "When You Call My Name."[22] According to Glide Magazine, "People came from far and wide to hear Yola sing, either because they were enchanted by her excellent release from earlier this year Walk Through Fire, or because word of mouth had reached them that this was not to be missed."[23]

Walk Through Fire generated three Grammy Award nominations. The album was nominated for Best Americana Album and the track "Faraway Look" was nominated for Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance. Additionally, Yola was nominated for Best New Artist.[24]

In February 2020, Variety announced that she had been cast to portray Sister Rosetta Tharpe — "dubbed the Godmother of rock and roll" — in Australian director Baz Luhrmanns film Elvis on the life of Elvis Presley set for release in 2022.[25] In December 2020, she was featured in Ringo Starr's single and video "Here's To The Nights", from his 2021 Zoom In EP.

In July 2021, Yola released her latest album titled Stand for Myself.[26] To celebrate the launch of the album, Yola will commence her 2022 Stand For Myself Tour in Boston in February 2022, with opening performances by Jac Ross and Nick Connors; and in Nashville by Devon Gilfillian and Allison Russell.[27] On October 8th, 2021, Yola played a sold out show Madison Square Garden when she opened for Chris Stapleton.[28]

On July 2, 2024, Yola made her Broadway debut in Hadestown at the Walter Kerr Theater, playing the role of Persephone.[29]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"
DetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[30]
UK

[31]
UK

[32]
SCO
[33]
US
[34]
US
Folk

[35]
US
Heat
[36]
US
Rock
[37]
Walk Through Fire 83 1 1 25 14
Stand for Myself
  • Released: 30 July 2021
  • Label: Easy Eye Sound, Concord
  • Format: LP, CD, cassette, 8-track, digital download, streaming
46 1 11 196 6 2 39

Extended plays

TitleDetails
Orphan Offering
  • Released: 1 November 2016
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
Apple Music Home Session: Yola
  • Released: 15 October 2021
  • Label: Easy Eye Sound, Concord
  • Format: Streaming

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak
chart
positions
Album
US
AAA

[38]
"I Don't Wanna Lie"201935Walk Through Fire
"Hold On"
2020rowspan="2"
"Give the People What They Want"
"Diamond Studded Shoes"202121Stand for Myself
"Stand for Myself"

As featured artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
"Highwomen"2019The Highwomen
"Stop Crying Your Heart Out"
(as BBC Radio 2's Allstars)[39]
20207

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationAwardNominated workResultRef.
2017UK Americana AwardsUK Artist of the YearHerself
2019Americana Music Honors & AwardsEmerging Artist of the Year[40]
Album of the YearWalk Through Fire
202062nd Grammy AwardsBest New ArtistHerself
Best Americana AlbumWalk Through Fire
Best American Roots Performance"Faraway Look"
Best American Roots Song
Americana Music Honors & AwardsArtist of the YearHerself[41]
UK Americana AwardsUK Artist of the YearHerself
UK Album of the YearWalk Through Fire
2021Country Music Association AwardsInternational Achievement AwardHerself
202264th Grammy AwardsBest Americana AlbumStand for Myself[42]
Best American Roots Song"Diamond Studded Shoes"
UK Americana AwardsUK Artist of the YearHerself
UK Album of the YearStand for Myself

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Behind a 'Best New Artist' Nod: Yola's 20 Years of Experience. 22 January 2020. The New York Times. 13 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Yola: From down and out in London to Nashville's country soul star | Music | the Guardian .
  3. Web site: Grammy nominee's mum 'banned her from music'. 21 November 2019. Bbc.co.uk.
  4. Web site: Yola's Vocals and Songwriting Are Showcased on Her Strong Debut 'Walk Through Fire' . 22 February 2019 . Popmatters.com . 13 May 2019.
  5. Web site: 2019-07-11 . Yola on her journey from homelessness and poverty to writing an album with Dan Auerbach . 2022-04-09 . Guitar.com All Things Guitar . en-GB.
  6. News: Yola on The Adam Buxton Podcast . June 23, 2022 . . June 19, 2022.
  7. Bernstein. Jonathan. 2019-01-19. Yola's Fight for Roots-Rock Freedom. 2021-12-14. Rolling Stone. en-US.
  8. News: Pareles. Jon. 2020-01-22. Behind a 'Best New Artist' Nod: Yola's 20 Years of Experience. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-12-14. 0362-4331.
  9. Web site: Yola's Journey From the Darkness of Massive Attack to Her Harmonious Debut. 2021-12-14. AllMusic. en.
  10. News: Gordon. Jeremy. 2021-07-25. After Two Decades in Music, Yola Expands Her Powers. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-12-14. 0362-4331.
  11. Web site: Williams. Kathryn. 2019-06-04. Who is supporting The Killers at Cardiff Castle?. 2021-12-14. WalesOnline. en.
  12. News: 2019-12-14. Yola: From 'house screamer' to four-time Grammy nominee. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-12-14.
  13. Yola's Fight for Roots-Rock Freedom . Jonathan . Bernstein. . 19 January 2019.
  14. News: Yola: from down and out in London to Nashville's country soul star . Emma . John . 21 February 2019 . The Guardian.
  15. News: 'Walk Through Fire' by Yola Review: Across the Great Divide . Barry . Mazor . 25 February 2019 . The Wall Street Journal.
  16. Web site: On Her Mighty Debut, Yola Pushes Through To 'Walk Through Fire' . Npr.org. 13 May 2019.
  17. Web site: Walk Through Fire – Yola – Songs, Reviews, Credits . . 12 March 2019.
  18. Web site: On Her Mighty Debut, Yola Pushes Through To 'Walk Through Fire'. Npr.org.
  19. Web site: Story Behind the Song: Yola, 'Ride Out in the Country'. Carena. Liptak. The Boot. 12 February 2019 .
  20. Web site: YOLA PREMIERES VIDEO FOR 'LOVE ALL NIGHT (WORK ALL DAY)' TAKEN FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM. Circuitsweet.co.uk. 2 February 2019.
  21. Web site: Watch Yola Showcase Debut LP on 'CBS This Morning'. Ilana. Kaplan. Rolling Stone. 23 March 2019.
  22. Newport Folk Festival 2019: 10 Best Things We Saw. Jonathan Bernstein. Suzy Exposito. Rolling Stone. 29 July 2019. 29 January 2020.
  23. Web site: Archived copy . glidemagazine.com . 14 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001081402/https://glidemagazine.com/229257/newport-folk-festival-day-1-showcases-female-prowess-with-yola-kacey-musgraves-highwomen-more-festival-recap/ . 1 October 2020 . dead.
  24. Web site: 2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List. 20 November 2019. Grammy.com. 29 January 2020.
  25. News: Kroll . Justin . Yola to Play Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis' (EXCLUSIVE) . September 21, 2020 . Variety . February 21, 2020.
  26. Web site: Magazine. Guitar Girl. 2021-04-22. Yola announces release of new album 'Stand For Myself' and debuts video for single "Diamond Studded Shoes" - Guitar Girl Magazine. 2021-09-29. en-US.
  27. Web site: 2021-08-10. Yola Announces 2022 'Stand For Myself' U.S. Headlining Tour. 2021-09-29. L4LM. en-US.
  28. Web site: Chris Stapleton played Madison Square Garden w/ Marcus King Band & Yola (pics, setlist). 2021-12-14. BrooklynVegan. en.
  29. Web site: Grammy Nominee Yola Will Make Broadway Debut in Hadestown. 2024-05-21. Playbill. en.
  30. Web site: Official Albums Chart Country Artists Albums Top 50 - 5 April 2019. Official Charts Company. 1 January 2022.
  31. Yola Chart History (Billboard 200). Billboard. 27 December 2021.
  32. Yola Chart History (Americana/Folk Albums). Billboard. 27 December 2021.
  33. Yola Chart History (Heatseekers Albums). Billboard. 27 December 2021.
  34. Yola Chart History (Top Rock Albums). Billboard. 27 December 2021.
  35. Yola - Chart History. 13 August 2021. Billboard.
  36. Web site: All-star BBC Children in Need charity single announced. 2020-11-10. Officialcharts.com. en.
  37. Americana Awards Nominations 2019: Women Lead the Way. Jon. Freeman. Rolling Stone. 14 May 2019.
  38. Web site: Americana Music Awards - 2020. January 30, 2022.
  39. Web site: 2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List. Grammys.com. November 23, 2021. November 23, 2021.