This was your first Southport - what did you think?
I loved Southport. It was a really fun experience. Everyone was so nice. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do it again. :)

Is singing performing something that you grew up with? Parents / family members musicians? And if not, how did it all start?
I've been singing since I can remember. I knew at a very young age that this is what I wanted to do with my life. I don't know of any other singers in the family but my dad played percussion for a while and my grandpa played the trumpet in a big band in the 40s.

Yasmeen "Ready or Not" (Copyright Old Skool Mix) : Strictly Rhythm

Who are some of the artists that inspire you?
Both of my parents have always loved the arts and they exposed my brother and I to all kinds of different styles of music. I've always listened to everything. From musical theater to opera, reggae, hawaiian music, R&B, blues, jazz, folk, rock etc.. Some of my earliest influences (i.e. what my parents listened to) would be Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, James Taylor, Michael Jackson, Sade, Stevie Wonder, Pavarotti (my dad loved him), and pretty much all of the Motown artists. They all inspired me then and still do today.

You're originally from Hawaii, surely you must miss the gorgeous beaches...What brought you to NYC?
I definitely miss Hawaii. The beaches and the mountains are absolutely breathtaking and there are days when I'm really homesick but I had to leave to really pursue music. The Hawaiian music scene is pretty small and you have to leave if you want to branch out. I was in L.A. first which isn't really my favorite city, so when I got the chance to move to New York I jumped at it. I love this city. It can be hard on you sometimes, but it's worth it. I'd just gotten off the road with a Broadway tour and I thought I would get back into musical theater but life had a different plan for me I guess. :)

Tell us a bit about your time in performing arts(?)
I grew up doing musical theater so it has a special place in my heart. When I got to New York I did an Off-Broadway show and a few workshops. In 2006 I was cast in a kids t.v. show called Hi5. It was a crazy experience but oddly enough led me to house music. One of my cast mates asked if I wrote music and we sat down and wrote Glad I Found you in about 30 minutes. I had absolutely no idea that it would turn into all of this.

You're quite soft spoken but your singing voice is very much the opposite - would you say your work in musical theatre has contributed to your bold and strong vocal style as well as your confident stage presence?
It's always funny to me when people tell me I'm soft spoken. It doesn't feel that way when I speak but I guess I am. :)
To answer your question, I don't know if your experience can change the sound and quality of your voice but working in theater does teach you to project vocally. I'm not always confident on stage, but thanks to theater I know how to fake it I guess. lol

So you've done musical theatre, signed a deal with a major US label (sorry, was it Mercury?), and are now with Defected...what do you see ahead of you in terms of next careers steps?
It was MCA Records. :) I'm not sure what the future holds. I'm loving working with Strictly and Defected and I hope we'll work together for a long time. They're great people and I'm having an amazing time. I'm focusing on what's in front of me right now. That's really all I can do.

What type of advice has helped you the most along the way and what advice would you pass on to aspiring vocalists/performers?
I've gotten all kinds of advice and I've come to this conclusion. There's so much out of your control in life and especially in the music industry. You have to stay true to yourself. You will change and grow as you get older but know what you're willing to do and give up and what you're not. Take chances, but listen to your gut. If you give it your best shot, then no matter what happens, you can look back on it and appreciate the experience.

Yasmeen "Gone" (The Wizard Brian Coxx Original Mix) : Strictly Rhythm

What's the most rewarding part of what you do and what's the hardest?
The most rewarding part of this job is knowing that you've created something that people enjoy. When I get email/feedback from people halfway around the world telling me that they like my music I'm always so surprised and moved. The hardest part of this job is just the ups and downs of the lifestyle. It can really test your resolve and confidence at times. I can't imagine doing anything else though.

What producers would you like to work with in future?
I've worked with some great people already and hopefully I'll continue working with them. I'd love to work with Bob Sinclair, DJ Spen, Dennis Ferrer, Quentin Harris, just to name a few. :)

Tell us something funny we should know about you.
I'm really clumsy. It's pretty special. I once cut my foot open on a pair of sunglasses as I tripped over them. Who does that?

What's your favorite thing to do outside of music?
I love history, exploring new places, going to the beach, and reading.

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