Yoshi is an Indian, disabled, transgender man whose musical journey began when he took some of his first steps toward his piano at 13 months old. He started lessons at 4 yrs old, and by 10 or 11, he was accompanying himself on songs like “Breathe No More” by Evanescence. He grew up taking classes like jazz improv and chamber music, playing piano at Carnegie Hall three times by age 13, singing and playing piano in choirs, and performing at open mics and gatherings.
With a childhood full of abuse and bullying, he got lost in music as often as he could, writing his first song at 15 years old. For 11 years after, he kept his songs to himself. At 25 yrs old, he found his true family in STANCE (Seattle Trans and Non-binary Choral Ensemble). With encouragement from his new chosen family, he finally started performing his originals at 26 years old and has been both a cover artist and a singer-songwriter ever since.
Yoshi is a bubbly, deep-feeling, animal-loving old soul whose music is where you’ll most often find his raw truth. His musical style is most influenced by the Indian music he grew up hearing at home, his classical training on piano, a choral journey that started when he was eight, and his love for musical theater. Many of his songs were written before his recent voice drop, back when he was a soprano-alto, so some of the music he releases is transposed down to fit his newer tenor range. His originals most often speak of trauma, family, mental health, and social justice.