What are your names?
Courtney and Stephen Stahl
How did you come up with your bands name?
YVR is the Vancouver airport code. We decided to go to Vancouver for a vacation a few years ago. We fell in love with the city and I (Stephen) proposed there. The city has a very special place in our hearts so we decided to name our duo YVR.
Give us a little bio about you and the band.
Los Angeles natives YVR are quickly making a name for themselves with ear candy pop sensibility and cleverly crafted songs. In the early days of their music careers, the married couple turned to songwriting as a way to pay the bills but soon found themselves in the far east shaping the global K-POP sound for super groups like EXO and Girls Generation. With over four million records sold and a combined 10 number one singles (two of which have reached #1 on the Billboard World Album Charts), the duo was ready to start their own artist journey.
What made you go into music?
Stephen – “I grew up in a musical household and have been playing guitar since I was 9 years old.”
Courtney – “I discovered my love for singing in high school and started getting vocal lessons. Later in college is when I discovered my love for song-writing.”
Are you signed?
We are published songwriters but we are independent artists
You released your single “How Can You Tell”, tell us more about the single.
“How Can You Tell” is one of our most honest and vulnerable songs yet. We worked really hard to make sure the lyrics, melody, and production were married perfectly.
What is the meaning behind “How Can You Tell”?
Describe the track in two words.
Honest and sensual
Who did you work with on the single?
The song was written by just the two of us. Produced by Stephen (BUDDRO), mixed by Chris Galland and mastered by Michelle Mancini
You are also set to release “Pay”, your new single tell us more about that.
“Pay” is a cry for attention. This song about being in a relationship where you feel unheard, misunderstood and unnoticed. It’s about reaching your breaking point of patience. “I’m not asking you to pay for dinner, Im not asking you to pay my bills, you don’t have to pay me compliments, just pay attention.”
Who did you work with on the new single?
The song was written by just the two of us. Produced by Stephen (BUDDRO), mixed by Chris Galland and mastered by Michelle Mancini
Describe the track in two words.
Attention grabbing
Will we see a music video for “Pay”?
Possibly!
Do you have any shows coming up?
Due to the current state of quarantine, we don’t have any shows lined up. However, we will be going live a lot on our Instagram to play some special shows from home.
If so where will you be heading?
Our studio
What else can we expect in early 2020?
We will be releasing our EP this summer.
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
We do! But they are a surprise.
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? And who would they have to contact?
Yes definitely! DM us!
Do you play any instruments?
Stephen plays guitar and keys/synth. I (Courtney) play a little guitar
Who are your influences?
Our inspiration stems from some of the greatest songwriters and producers of all time including Max Martin, Greg Kurstin, and Quincy Jones. There are many artists who have inspired us over the years including Etta James, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Kacey Musgraves and many others.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
We get inspired from personal experiences, cool chord progressions and fresh new music we discover.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 years?
Hopefully playing to a packed house of fans. We would also love to have one of our songs on the top 100 billboard charts.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Courtney – “You can find me playing with cats and sneezing because I’m allergic to them”
Stephen – “I listen to podcasts, and follow the stock market”
What was the song you listened to that most influenced you to go more into the music scene?
There wasn’t one specific song. However, we have been inspired by artists and bands such as Christina Aguilera, Kacey Musgraves, Imogen Heap, Incubus, The Offspring, Sevendust and many others.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
You never know until you ask
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Always be honest and authentic with yourself
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
One day at a time
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
The beach
You’re coming off of tour;
- Where do you go first – Home
- Who do you see first – Our friends
- What do you eat first? – Chinese food
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Guitar, guitar pic, laptop, make-up and confidence.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Instagram and
Tik Tok @weareyvr
Twitter
