Rig Rundown: Covet's Yvette Young

Observe Yvette Young apply her formal piano background to musically communicate on a fretboard while expressing how modulation pedals have made her a better bandmate and a more dynamic writer.
Article & photos: bit.ly/CovetRR
Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundo...
One would never confuse music as sport. However, for Yvette Young, who took up strict piano lessons at four and added on violin at age seven, the internal pressure and external expectations became too much and broke her. The weight of it all hospitalized her due to an eating disorder. And while still in the hospital, rehabbing from her battle, the struggle’s silver lining appeared in the shape of a guitar. Yvette’s love affair with the instrument began while she was still in bed and has remained tried and true ever since.
She admits to starting out like any guitarist, learning basic chords and shapes in standard tuning, but never really finding her voice. The generic, sounding-like-everyone qualities plagued her until stumbling upon alternative tunings by way of influencers like Japanese post-rockers Toe and math-rock aerialists American Football. Through these open tunings (for example: F-A-C-G-B-E), Yvette unlocked her guitar creativity and began expressing herself in solo two-hand tapping compositions. One way she pushes her dexterity and fretboard knowledge is to start an idea out as a vocal melody. Yvette then chases that vocal melody for hours on the fretboard, trying to accompany it with simpatico harmonies on the guitar.
Eventually, electric guitar grabbed ahold and the need for fuller, collaborative jams took root and she began work as a power trio with bassist David Adamiak and drummer Keith Grimshaw. (Now Forrest Rice is the band’s drummer.) Over the last five years she’s released a handful of records and EPs (full band and solo), including 2014’s acoustics, 2015’s Currents, a live performance at Audiotree in 2016, 2017’s Ares, 2018’s effloresce, and most recently, acoustics2.
Before Covet’s Nashville gig at the High Watt, PG’s Chris Kies swooped in for a post-soundcheck hang with the band’s founder and 6-string melodist, Yvette Young. Within the 30-minute video, you’ll witness how her finger-tapping approach, bolstered by gobs of modulation and influenced by formal training on the ivories unlocks fresh, polyphonic compositions that flourish over a bed of atmospheric, transcending post-rock clouds.
D'Addario DIY Mini Cables: ddar.io/Cable.Kit

[@premierguitar]

Article & photos: bit.ly/CovetRR Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL

[@superblondeDotOrg]

the best. always find new artists thru your rig rundowns. 👍

[@vlogject4862]

she shops at the guitar shop I work at every once in awhile and she is the sweetest person with no ego. A real genuine personality. I'm really happy she's seeing so much success.

[@Vibeyxoxo]

add me on IG: vibeyxoxo

[@funkybasstrix]

Wow, Yevett is awesome

[@joaquin8637]

with the amount of talent she has success was inevitable!

[@diegorhoenisch62]

"Wouldn't it be nice to think so." Hemingway There are many supremely talented people who are not successful. Luck is a huge factor. This reality takes nothing away from her creativity and skill.

[@ratatatuff]

I already got the feeling that's she's nice and genuine from watching this video. You confirmed it with your comment.

[@pdgnife]

''so what's different about the orange talman?'' ''uh.. it's got my dog's ashes in it'' *seconds later* ''it's just orange :)''

[@UNKNWN96]

Caught me so off guard when she said that lol

[@shreddedbylight]

Yes

[@stuartnarduzzo4868]

I'm a huge fan of Yvette's playing and it was great to see what she's using and how she uses it. Chris is so good at these rig rundowns. He knows his stuff, knows who he's talking to and he always makes it sound like two friends talking shop. More of Chris PLEASE!

[@MDCSYD]

Absolutely no ego and with a personality that impossible not to like. 100 thumbs up

[@gabe4u22]

No ego? You have no idea what the word even means.. she does in fact have quite the ego.. guitarists with no ego play small parts of their riffs, guitarists with egos play out their entire riffs, just like how she does all the time..

[@aidanfl]

@@gabe4u22it’s called passion

[@RisikoAO]

Fastest I've ever clicked on a Rig Rundown! The dog ashes joke was BRILLIANT

[@ph0kused]

that was so funny! She is just badass

[@blizzbee]

the rumor started !!

[@jankafka7330]

@@ph0kused She seems to be a well-rounded person & artist.

[@adenval7]

lol

[@geruto17760]

Yes, she's so quick-witted

[@ethanjto]

These Rig Rundowns are the best gear interview videos ever. Chris asks all the right questions and it seems like he interviews all the bands that I like.

[@Vibeyxoxo]

add me on IG: vibeyxoxo

[@jalapenopoggers8310]

@@Vibeyxoxo add me on pronhub

[@maxfrombeyblade]

fear oldblood fosho man. What’s ur user?

[@Diogolindir]

So true, it feels very natural

[@kurdtjohn]

Chris and Perry are the man!

[@chrisf6216]

Just when we think players (Hendrix, Eddie, Via, Emmanuel, Morello, etc.) have exhausted everything one can do with a six string guitar, someone amazingly talented and creative like Yvette comes along. What a joy to reset and start the journey all over again. Thank you YY and PG - cheers!

[@grayaj23]

I've tried to explain this to my rocker friends. "These kids today and their music! It's just noise I tell ya" is hard to say with a straight face when talking about YY and others moving in similar directions. I didn't think I liked it at first, but I put Covet on as background music and got involved in stuff-- then caught myself thinking "wait... what was that?" and backing up the audio player. It seems amelodic or even anti-melodic, as if there's no structure and it's all just bright happy sounds (or dark, brooding sounds if it's Tosin Abasi or other relatively new artist) But I started to feel a structure emerging out of YY's music and realized "no, it's in there, it's just unexpected and hard to define". I'm not going to catch myself mindlessly humming this stuff. If anything, it might be anti-earworm. Someone in another conext (talking about Khruangbin, which is a whole other thing) said that when people ask "What kind of music is this?" all he can say is "um, it's complicated . . ." I described Khruangbin to my brother as "trip-hop, Pink Floyd's Ummagumma, and lo-fi had a baby and . . .". And ultimately, their music is fascinating because it's NOT super complicated. I don't know if I'll ever be able to explain why he should listen to Covet. But he should dammit. He should.

[@warmybear437]

@@skeletalsounds_ Polyphia write their riffs on keyboard/piano first then translate it to guitar, i saw someone describe it as a very Fusion-y kind of guitar playing and yeah...it's...idk like completely new and as much as I love 80s/90s/2000s stuff (being a 92 child myself) it's SO cool to have an everemore absurd diversity of talent and styles rather than guitarist 12058120581205821058 who was inspired by Metallica etc

[@ventor11225]

Mario camarena and Erick Hansel along with tosin rally take the cake for modern influential players. Everyone’s been following what they were doing since like 2013 lol. Polyphia for example were a fairly generic metalcore band and then when chon blew up with the release of newborn sun, polyphia completely changed their sound to similar to what chon was doing. Then came the wave of artists like plini, intervals etc. Yvette really is a modern guitar god as well though

[@Pimp-Master]

Nobody has ever outdone Hendrix, so there's that.

[@Two_Seat_Pete_FatA55]

She is excellent, but to be fair, if you listen to the genre she’s associated with, there are many doing similar things, before she was,she would be the first to say. That’s not to dismiss her, she's a great talent

[@AlisterTate]

"It has my dog's ashes in it... nah sike lol, shit's just orange."

[@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888]

We all saw it. Pipe down little guy.

[@mikewhitfield2994]

Such a beautiful, charming and incredibly talented young lady. And "It has my dog's ashes in it" is THE best line ever.

[@rectangularcuboid]

Ok well she's awesome

[@joesatchton212]

I've been a guitar music fanatic for more years than Yvette has been alive. I can't tell you how ecstatic I am to see female artists like Yvette and Lari Basilio just to name a couple finally getting their long-overdue time in the historically male-dominated guitar universe. What an incredible breath of fresh air Yvette is - impossibly charming, immensely talented, intensely musical and an obvious gear geek. The stuff of dreams indeed! :) More power to you Yvette, Lari and all the other amazing lady talents out there in guitar-land. And Yvette is equally proficient on piano! "The girls are back in town!..."

[@Les537]

I'm glad we could bring sexist identity politics into it. It should not matter or even be worth mentioning. She's a person end of story.

[@joesatchton212]

@@Les537 OK...Lighten up - you'll live longer. Have a nice life snowflake.

[@dexxfilm]

Her being or anyone for that matter is irrelevant to her talent. The fact that you brought that up is just ridiculous dude. Do you enjoy referring to humans by their sex or race?

[@dexxfilm]

A woman*

[@xmillion1704]

We can always count on those whose insecurities demand the maintenance of the privilege afforded by outmoded gender roles to self identify.

[@STSGuitar16]

Yvette is so beautiful inside and out. Seriously, she seems like such an angel.

[@KeithShelley1]

I'll always upvote Yvette! She's one of the most innovative guitarists out there.

[@Malediction99]

Great interview. Yvette is funny and charming as always and the interviewer kept things rolling nicely.

[@WayaSayTrey]

She's bouncing everywhere & explaining everything as simple as they come & i LOVE IT!

[@rhykko77]

The pickups she was trying to say was Wilde Pickups USA

[@linksayajin2958]

This girl's A MONSTER!!!! I love math rock and she's one of my favorites

[@alexchai8833]

Im 96% certain that she was a golden retriever in her past life

[@simongarcia5358]

She literally just gave a master class guitar lesson.thank u. I very much appreciate this.

[@lcglazer]

5:05 the minor 2nd Yvette was talking about produced such beautiful “choked” tone on different distortion or fuzz pedal demos (with higher gain than she used) that I thought was due to the pedal. Then it finally hit me it’s not the pedal, that tone is only due to the frequency overlap of the minor 2nd chord, and can be produced with any pedal! I was phantom tone chasing!

[@7sevens]

Yvette is so lovable and admirable - my old heart overflows with joy :)

[@taunoctua245]

I love her style and clean tones, prog tunes, sweet guitars, and use of a capo.

[@Aiden-zi3xf]

My favorite piano player.

[@Mist_R]

she's gonna make me buy so many pedals. man oh man.

[@siorai1]

Haha that’s what I was just thinking

[@csharp57]

I could listen to her for hours!!! I think I’m infatuated with her 🥰

[@KNEESBEFORETHEFEET]

She’s literally the sweetest person lol

[@julieboogie3257]

I met Yvette at Arctangent festival, she's so sweet, she's my guitar sensei

[@Andreascarnero]

How be talented, cool and beautiful at same time.

[@agdrummer2610]

She is beyond amazing. So glad she is making music and the rest of Covet too.

[@SkyP1e]

I love all of Yvette Young's guitar finishes

[@philbobaggins336]

I feel she is super super underrated outside of her following .

[@jaym8808]

Agreed. There's always some dude trying to belittle her abilities that can't even begin to match her. They act like double tapping is all she does and all she's capable of which is so far from the truth. Same guys that think arpeggiated scales for 10 minutes straight with no dynamics at all to the music is the epitome of a good guitarist.

[@TMWilson71]

She kinda is one dimensional.....

[@TMWilson71]

She is good and talented but not close to godlike levels.....

[@VikCain]

😁 in a way we all are. But yeah, I agree.

[@boimesa8190]

@@VikCain 🙌🙌

[@SrDeMaFp]

What an incredible player with fantastic tone! Pretty sure she is the most adorable human alive to boot. I can't imagine anybody not liking her

[@eduliborio8]

Yvette is so nice and humble. And she's such an amazing player!

[@Mindartcreativity]

She‘s such a sweet&happy person. Her playing is awesome!

[@WeijuWu]

I love how this interview moved much more towards Yvette's approach to music than the gear she uses. Great interview about a talented, unique and very funny musician.

[@gowaitinthetruck7614]

Her playing is so fun! I'm glad the band is getting press.

[@danielalejandro2036]

Ugh she is so adorable! Really enjoyed to rig rundown!

[@adamamaya1541]

Yvette young is such an inspiration, watching and hearing you makes me want to become a better musician everyday, thank you so much!!!

[@DowellPa]

She’s so awesome!

[@cowboy7x]

This gal is brilliant in SO many ways.

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Man these new players that are coming out are freaking amazing...💖🔥She is fire

[@BreedersSyndicate]

So insanely talented and next level.

[@marsattacks7071]

That Lady is an angel !

[@hazeljane3034]

wow i just love her so much shes amazing

[@FirestormAudio]

Great video. I stood front row for Covet and met her after the show. Awesome player and really nice person too.

[@kaitoti21]

I don't even know much about guitars and stuff but here I am just watching this fully just to see Yvette talk

[@comantheawsome]

So happy you did a video with her she's my favorite guitar player right now

[@shanehunsicker103]

I dont know how to play guitar at all, but I am in love with her music and wanted see this. She seems so cool. I grew up on hardcore, emo, etc and I am so pumped the music made a comeback and now their is so much amazing post rock , math, progressive, or whatever you want to call it. Love toe, just saw American football this weekend, but Yvette young is my favorite guitar player now. I just want to watch her play and listen and be put into a relaxing trance. Thanks for the video!

[@deanathan]

I love Yvette’s outlook on being part of a band.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

What a sweet and awesomely talented girl.

[@saimone]

Beeing nerdy is now insanely cool

[@DragisaBoca]

What a lovely personality... Just melts me away. :)

[@Julian-fy6si]

Can we take a moment to appreciate the strength of her fingers to play tuned UP with 13s!!!!!!

[@utai4571]

Not only people like yvette and her band are absolute gifts for music, but also i'm really glad to see someone playing a 7 string headless guitar in an other range than your typical djenty djent djent! I love modern metal, but i'm a math rock nerd at heart.

[@ryanroose6124]

Really I’m not a good musician, but I know good and talented music. I’ve been listening to Covet for about 3 years. She may be the best guitarist alive.

[@garywhitt98]

She has SUCH a good sense of humor!

[@ratatatuff]

Everybody's talking about Yvette and yes, sure, she is a great guitarist and musician. I just want to add that the interviewer did a great job as well. He asked all the right questions, had her explain the most interesting things in detail and that made this video so much fun to watch.

[@briantopps5638]

american football is legit. yvette is the best

[@DynamicRockers]

She is brilliant !

[@carlkerkman7028]

Reminds me of Michael Hedges work, quite beautiful.

[@williammartinez9906]

Yvette is such a beautiful human being great player great artist and genuinely nice. This is what it looks like when God shows off.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

What a fantastic talent. Yvette seems like a super cool person too!

[@michelevisser6811]

brilliant guitarist and brilliant interviewer!

[@tomtracy2803]

Really enjoyed this rundown. Will have to check out the band.

[@hearpalhere]

These rig rundowns are my favorite ways to learn about new bands lately :-) I hadn't heard of Covet before but will definitely check them out too.

[@ibriefer]

Ok, first props to Chris. You asked pretty much the same kind of questions I had, like what are you getting from this it's outside the normal swim lane so why are you going there... and she had easily understandable and reasoned responses to those questions that my simple a$$ could get with (especially why she demonstrated it's that 'ww rr rrr thing') that I like. Yvette.. I'm an old blues/rock player expanding what I listen to and also branching into ambient to support my wife's needs. Covid kicked out butts with the cost of her 'renting' ambient music for recorded reproduction so nurses could take her wellness classes and still have music in the background...). I'm inspired by your playing, thanks for that, anything that helps me reach outside of my comfort zone is pretty awesome. So, again, quite simply, thanks for some fresh air.

[@alber.a1232]

Beautiful and magnetic personality. Great interview👌🏻

[@Sawyer0608]

I swear Chris is the best interviewer out there still, really wish he was in more vids! Give the man more metal!!

[@rorybninetythree]

This guy has experienced Yvette Young look him in the eyes and play beautiful music. Damn.

[@heatmoon]

Gross dude.

[@LunaticTheCat]

Dude, wtf.

[@acashicrecords4947]

Dude, would you say that to Angus young too?

[@crisepuyao7722]

Awesome, I love Yvette and her music

[@thedanksavatron7782]

She's great! Killer personaliy wich is nice to see! The guitar is cool , love the color & tone!

[@branmuller]

Yvette Young is the bessssttt listen to Covet and her solo stuff soooo good!!!

[@mr.sharkymr3587]

Fascinating. Particularly the statement about being a visual artist and how pre-worked or color washed canvas play a role in how the final artwork is somewhat reliant on working around/incorporating the pre-existing elements.

[@notthatdonald1385]

I never heard of Yvette. Checked out some of her music and I love it.

[@forresthale9529]

When Rig Rundown is at it's best, as in this one, I love the experience of finding a band I had never heard of before. I am amazed, and love the pianistic approach. Bought tickets to their show here!

[@littlerocksfinest243]

My favorite guitarist hands down.

[@YesuAiNimen]

Very creative. How refreshing!

[@ethanrummel7638]

I've been into this band for the last year, and I'm so happy they're seeing such success now. Yvette is just masterful.

[@ryanlusby569]

Saw them live in DC, mind blowing music

[@jdortiz86]

Yvette is such fire 😭

[@scrungly]

her laugh... 💖💕💕

[@whendoweeat]

The dude in the background @29:00 is all of us watching the cool kids do cool things😂

[@隠れた]

Such a pure personality

[@superblondeDotOrg]

05:56 this is what you came for 🎸 💯 🐶

[@LaMusicade4]

THAT was sublime

[@asandwichonwry]

Yvette is such a treasure!

[@OODZUTSU]

Why is this only 30 min? I could watch all day T^T

[@VenomRaven]

Great interviewer. Thanks for the video.

[@DekuTails]

So humble :)

[@pauljohnson3317]

"Has my dog's ashes in it." hahahaha!

[@stringsattached5077]

I never heard anyone talk so poetically about their guitar

[@lasyajjjj___]

the analogies she uses are so interesting i was thinking the same thing

[@AbsoluteAbsurd]

Wow! She’s amazing :')

[@Mikeorso]

She is an incredible player and super awesome person.

[@ILLRICARDO]

I ♥️ Yvette!!!!

[@Ontariosound]

I have the new album. What a delightful, well spoken and talented person. A role model hopefully.

[@stevenbeechey]

Big love for the AC-10

[@lilukorbin2917]

She is so gorgeous and talented

[@JohnDoe-pq8yw]

What a talent.

[@patrickkingsley402]

I haven't been this excited for a Rig Rundown in ages. Covet are such and incredible band. I wish you were able to get Daves rig however.

[@nickcormier]

One week til I see Covet in Montreal =] So awesome