This Is…Yoke Lore
Brooklyn-based Yoke Lore is the solo indie-pop project of multi-instrumentalist Adrian Galvin. Adrian is previously of Walk The Moon and Yellerkin but has found his storytelling niche through Yoke Lore. Having released a steady stream of music under this new moniker over the past four years, Adrian rounded out 2019 with his latest A/B single ‘Bravado/Body Parts,’ two powerful songs on trusting oneself and loving openly and honestly.
We got the chance to chat with Yoke Lore about everything from his name, potential EP and more…
How did you come up with your name Yoke Lore?
A “Yoke” refers to an oxen yoke. But also, it is a word that can be used to describe how people and things are held together. “Lore” is a set of stories in the verbal tradition. I’m interested in telling stories about how I’m bound to people, places, and experiences, and how those connections define me.
You were once apart of Yellerkin and Walk the Moon, what inspired you to pursue this solo project?
Striking out on my own, I wanted to fully indulge my musical eccentricities. I had been in bands my entire life, so I wanted to see what would happen if I was my own collaborator. I had been making small but significant compromises for most of my musical life and wanted an opportunity to just make with movement. Yoke Lore is what happened.
Since creating Yoke Lore, how have you evolved as an artist?
I think I am still evolving and will always be. I have grown into myself a bit more while making music as Yoke Lore because it’s all been on me. Every failure and success has come down to my own sense of self and willingness to rise to this occasion. I have started to define better what Yoke Lore means and what I want my music to do to the world. But I think the process is a lengthy and enduring one. I won’t ever be done.
Your music tends to mix a variety of genres and sounds. How would you describe your sound in 5 words or less?
A gentle avalanche.
Out of all the instruments, you can play, is there one you favor the most?
I play banjo the most, but playing drums are my real passion.
‘Bravado’ and ‘Body Parts’ are absolutely fantastic. What was your creative process during the making of these tracks?
I really needed to let those songs unfold. They are both songs about how I’m dealing with a newer relationship. I strive to write about myself.
What do you want your fans to take away after listening to the two tracks?
“Bravado” is about the agreement you make with someone you love to take care of one another’s limitations. We often fall in love with someone’s beautiful parts, and then their real full self comes into the picture later on, and we have to contend with those not so beautiful parts. This song is about real love being born through that struggle. Being comfortable with letting someone see your failures and you accepting someone else’s.”
“Body Parts” is about trusting your gut. Trusting the senses, you get from your fingers and your tongue and listening to the little Jiminy Cricket inside of your skull whenever he speaks up. It’s hard to trust ourselves in this day and age when so much information is available when right and wrong is blurred by the sheer availability of multitudinous perspectives and options. This song is a plea to myself to allow myself to be guided by my instincts.”
You’ve released 4 EP’s in four years, will there be an album for the fifth year?
I like to release music the way people listen now, which is in small doses. Releasing smaller batches of music each year lets me release things more consistently, so I’m not opposed to an album, but I want to keep putting things out for listeners to hear all the time. I like EP’s for that reason.
Make sure to check out Yoke Lore’s latest tracks ‘Bravado’ and ‘Body Parts’ below…
