As I walk into the bar and grill known as Eli's, I look around for the young renowned feature vocalist here in the state of Arizona. I notice she is at the bar sipping on a cup of tea, as I walk toward her she turns arounds and flash amazingly warm smile, as we greet one another we decide to conduct the interview in one of the booths.
The Business
Now Eli's is a popular hotspot in Scottsdale, AZ where this beautiful voice reigns from Wednesday through Saturday, keeping the people on their feet accompanying the popular vocals of The Aaron Nelson Project. This young lady of twenty-something has done alot in her professional life, when most people her age is still wondering what to do with their lives, she is out there filling in her own destiny. A native of Rochester, New York, she came to Phoenix, during her college break in 2003 and never looked back, her mother worked for the infamous 1039 WDKX 104FM in Rochester, the stomping ground for alot of R&B, as well as HIP-HOP artists alike and it was there that at young age she discovered that she wanted to go into "THE BUSINESS" of music as we call it.
About Eloni
Uncun: How long have you been performing?
Eloni Yawn: Since the age of two.
Uncun: Who are some of your influences?
Eloni: Oh god, that depends since I love music in different types of genres, Jazz and R&B is my biggest passion, as far as jazz my influences would be Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaghan, as far as R&B they are Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, the whole Neo-soul movement.
Uncun: Currently how many groups are you feature in?
Eloni: Singing live, I perform with The Aaron Nelson Project, I also have my own group called Eclipze
Uncun: And as a solo artist?
Eloni: As a solo project I currently finished my album called "Purple Cafe" and like any other artist paying my dues performing wherever and whenever I can.
Uncun: I have it on great knowledge that you were able to perform your album "Purple Cafe" at the famous Celebrity Theater how was that experience?
Eloni: Yes, I did and I had a great time.
Uncun: I hear you are heading out to LA, pretty soon?
Eloni: Yes to play at different venues
Uncun: What is your short term goal?
Eloni: Short term just getting my music out there circulating
Uncun: And your long term goal?
Eloni: To get a major distribution deal.
Uncun: You know what I'm going to ask you about now, the American Idol days. How was that experience for you?
Eloni: I went through all the auditions, here in Phoenix got the golden ticket to go to Hollywood, it was in 2008, made it to L.A., they settle me into the Renaissance Hotel, but I discovered that it really wasn’t for me, maybe that is the reason I didn’t last long.
Uncun: How long were you there before you got cut?
Eloni: I was there a total of three days, but it was a great experience and I learned a lot.
Uncun: So did they give you any parting words?
Eloni: Not really, I think I might have been too polished for the show.
Uncun: Tell me a little something about you solo project?
Eloni: Purple Cafe is myself and Sonny Black, he is the producer/writer and I do the vocal arrangements as well as writing, we call it neo-pop, basically it is a feel good album trying to take it back to the old school
Uncun: What kind of music are you showcasing on the album?
Eloni: Basically all types of music, we just want to make an album of positivity, feel good music.
Uncun: How do you deal with trying to stay true to you and not giving in and going the hoochie mama route?
Eloni:Just staying true to myself, being comfortable in my own skin, I mean it’s cool if another artist choose that route, but it's not who I am
Uncun:A little bit about you, what do you like to do in your downtime?
Eloni: Of course all the girly stuff naturally, I also like to hike, go fishing, sitting on the beach and write.
Uncun: You can keep the hiking (laughing)
Eloni: Ahh, come on (laughing)
Uncun: Who would you like to eventually perform with?
Eloni: Any genre
Uncun: Yes any
Eloni: Andre 3000, neo-soul: Maxwell, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, I also like to perform with the local artist as well.
Branching Out
Uncun: How do you feel about performing in Arizona? Do you think it's about what you know or who you know?
Eloni:I feel alot of times it is who you know, but I have done alright for myself, I would really love to go to London,Japan, Germany places like that to boarden my game.
Uncun: Is there anything you would like to say, to artist around doing their music, and might be getting frustrated about the work?
Eloni: Yes, always do your best and if you truly love what you do, keep at it and never give up.
Uncun: Thank you, Eloni for your time and spending the afternoon with us.
Eloni: You are very welcome, anytime.
Miss Eloni Yawn is certainly making her mark on the music scene here in Az, she is full of integrity and fight to make it doing things her way and not falling into the normal trap, most artist find themselves in Speaking for myself and Vertikal MagaZine we all wish her well.
Smoothing Out Uncun
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The lip game is vicious
