Yanling
Yanling’s debut album is an extension of the artistic vision honed through curating Aurora Edition. This deeply personal project draws on formative experiences and emotional depths, blending ambient and drone soundscapes to evoke reflection. The emotional honesty of the work mirrors her journey as a curator-turned-artist, with each track serving as a chapter in a narrative steeped in vulnerability and catharsis.
Aurora Edition has hosted artists whose work blurs the boundaries between sound and space, a vision that continues to inform Yanling’s artistry. Live performances, particularly those incorporating choral elements, left an indelible mark on the album’s creation. The Berlin premiere, featuring a circular choir format, underscored themes of unity and resonance, while the series itself reinforced the value of collaboration. Yanling’s dual perspective as curator and creator enriches both roles, forging a connection between personal introspection and shared artistic experiences.
After years of curating the Aurora Edition series, why was now the right moment to release your own debut album?
I have always harbored the desire to release my own music, but it took years of exploration and refinement to truly understand the sound I wanted to share with the world. The Aurora series, now well-established, provided the perfect foundation to launch not only my debut album but also a parallel record label. This label offers a home for the artists I curate, creating a harmonious synergy that uplifts both the series and the label. It’s a natural progression—a movement that amplifies and supports both realms in unison. And I also feel very comfortable writing both ambient and cinematic music. This record was a perfect fit, as everything aligned seamlessly.
Your performances, such as the Berlin AV premiere with a four-woman choir, feel both intimate and expansive. How did those live experiences influence the creation of this album?
Performing with a four-woman choir was an special experience. Extending the vocals in this way created a powerful sense of unity, especially as we performed within a circle format. The choir’s presence brought an extraordinary layer of energy, enhancing the performance with a surge of female power that elevated the emotional resonance of the music. The visuals, too, played a pivotal role, amplifying the environment and architecture around us, creating a holistic experience. The entire spectrum, from sound to sight, became a blend of raw emotion.
The Aurora live AV series has hosted a diverse roster of artists—from Tangerine Dream’s Hoshiko Yamane to PAN’s Evita Manji. How has curating this series shaped your artistic identity?
I have always been deeply drawn to cinematic soundscapes, but I wasn’t sure where to place that outside the context of watching a film in the movies. The moment for me came at the Tonhalle Zurich, witnessing a live orchestral score accompanying a film scene. I must confess, I cried when the strings resonated so powerfully, I hoped no one noticed. That experience shaped me, sparking the desire to create a similar environment with contemporary composers and sound artists. Curating the Aurora series has been an extension of that specific vision. Experiencing these artists that I curate live has not only inspired me deeply but also affirmed that I’m on the right path, a journey that feels both personal and transformative.
Collaboration seems to be a core element of your work, from your video with Jannis Davi and Milan Friedlos to Bob Kil at Museum Thorvaldsen. How do these collaborations push the boundaries of your sound and vision?
I have a strong instinct for choosing the right collaborators, those who intuitively align with my vision. Once I commit to a collaboration, I fully trust the process, often letting go of control because I see how deeply they understand the emotional and artistic essence of the work. For example, the outcome of the music video surpassed anything I could have imagined. Collaborating with different artists as mediums is something I genuinely love. It enriches the creative process, fostering growth and new perspectives while also building relationships that have the potential to flourish on both sides.
The debut album embodies a contemplative ambient soundscape. What drew you to this particular sonic form for your first release?
This album is deeply personal, a narrative rooted in my childhood, filled with emotions I’ve had to process and continue to reconcile. Ambient & Drone music became the only medium through which I could explore and ultimately release these feelings. What you hear is as moving for me as it might be for the listener. During the writing sessions, there were moments when I lost myself in tears, and I believe that raw, emotional honesty is woven into the fabric of the sound. If you listen closely, you can feel it too.
As both an artist and curator, you navigate two roles within the creative ecosystem. How do these perspectives inform each other, and where do they converge?
First I began as a curator before stepping into the role of an artist. Along the way, as I launched Aurora Edition, I felt energized to finally release my own music and perform, including with a choir. Since both roles stem from the same person, they naturally blend together. As a curator, there’s often an expectation to stay within defined boundaries, but as an artist, I’ve gained insights into how artists wish to be treated. The advantage of navigating both perspectives is that I can approach curation with the empathy and understanding of an artist, ensuring that others are treated with the same respect and care
What do you hope listeners and viewers will take away from the album, both as an individual work and as part of the broader Aurora vision?
I hope the album offers listeners reflective moments—times when they pause their daily routines to simply stop and reflect. Similarly, in the Aurora concert series, I often see people gazing at the sky through the architecture, their eyes sparkling with wonder. It’s those moments of connection and awe that I strive to evoke. Above all, I hope to touch everyone’s heart as deeply and authentically as I can, because everything I create comes from a place of raw emotion and love.
Interview by DONALD GJOKA
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