Josh Yau

An independent singer-songwriter & producer, his musical style is an eclectic mix of soulful vocals and synths coupled with honest and vulnerable lyrics. Josh Yau's songs cover an array of topics, including his queer identity, ethnicity, and social media. His music is influenced by a wide variety of genres and artists, including Amy Winehouse, Sam Smith, Florence + The Machine, Mahalia, BANKS, Years & Years, Christine and the Queens, LÉON, Tove Lo & AURORA.

Photographer: @not_fade_away

Ethnicity: British-Chinese

Location: Sheffield, UK

Instagram: @joshyaumusic

Website: 

GET TO KNOW - completed March 2023

3 words to describe you:

Fun, Emotional, Queer

3 words to describe your music:

Soulful, Velvety, Synthpop

If it does, how does your heritage impact your art?

For my lyrics I draw a lot of inspiration from my experience of being a British Chinese person growing up and living in the UK. I think there's a distinct lack of Asian representation in the UK media and especially within the music industry, which needs to change. That's why platforms such as Asian Tones are so important! 

If you could collaborate with anyone, who and why?

LÉON, I absolutely love her voice and her songs always move me. I'd also love to collab with Charli XCX or Tove Lo on some synthpop anthems!

Your next career/music goal:

I'd like to release an EP or album and perform live more!!

Top 3 go to songs/artists:

Back To Black - Amy Winehouse

Shake It Out - Florence and the Machine

And It Breaks My Heart - LÉON

Words you live by:

Everything will work out in the end x 

Anything else you'd like to share?

I have a new song coming out called 'Walking Away' on 17th March. This is a collab with producer Eric Ananda and is an RnB bop!