by meghan brianna
photo courtesy of young león and charcuterie
Seattle based duo Young León and Charcuterie have released seven songs together since their initial collaboration back in 2019. Their most recent release, “Sippn’,” features a laid-back, relaxed vibe. This new single comes after their previous release, “Coastal Café.” “Sippn’” is the type of song you play with the windows down in your car while you drive down to the beach with the salty sea air coming through.
We had the chance to sit down with 1/2 of Young León and Charcuterie to talk about their new release, how they’ve been passing the time, as well as what they look forward to doing when the time is right and it’s safe to resume everyday, normal life.
For our readers who are unfamiliar with yourselves, can you tell us a little about yourselves and how you all started this musical endeavor?
Young León: “Charcuterie (Aaron) and I have actually been friends since middle school. It wasn’t until last year, summer, we had a few friends over who requested I play one of my songs off Soundcloud. Given the positive response from our friends, he hit me up that we should make music together. He promised to make compelling beachy beats while I bring in the lyrics and vocals!“
This new release, “Sippn’,” can you take us through the creative process? What is the meaning behind the song?
YL: “Charcuterie had sent me Sippn’ back in winter. I woke up and played it on my 6am walk to work through Seattle and immediately grasped a chorus and hook. Sometimes a beat just hits you like that, where you vibe with the track so much it just comes to you. I wanted the song to describe a summer evening in Seattle, providing nostalgic, yet energetic feel.”
What inspired your guys’ sound? If you could sum up your guys’ sound in a sentence or so, what would you describe it as?
YL: “A lot of the sound stems from punk rock bands like Green Day / Blink 182 / Beach Boys as well as artists like Kid Cudi, Slightly Stoopid, and Shwayze. In one sentence I’d say, ‘We make music for your beach.”’”
COVID-19 has thrown the world a curveball. What have you guys’ been doing to pass time and keep busy?
YL: “Just been making content! Been spending a lot of time connecting with fans on social media. Made a few TikToks...”
If you could make a small quarantine playlist with your current favorite songs, what would be on the playlist?
YL: “Anything Tame Impala, Dominic Fike — throw in some Electric Guest and Goth Babe.”
What are you guys looking forward to most once the world gets back to “normal?”
YL: “Our first live show!! So many releases to come, we wanna perform!“
If someone who had never listened to you guys and came to your Spotify page, what song would you want them to listen to first?
YL: “I think Sippn’ may be our favorite song. It’s our most professional sounding and really shows the vibe we’re going for. ‘High Tides’ and ‘Yawny’ are a good second and third.”
How would you want fans to listen to your new music if they could create the perfect listening setting?
YL: “Oh man, some songs — perfect for a sunset! Others are great for a party. I imagine listening to Sippn’ on the beach, playing volleyball with a few hard seltzers. Just positive flow.”
To finish this up, do you have a message for your supporters? And do you have a message for those who have yet to discover you?
YL: “As you guys know 2020 has been a ride so far. No matter the work you do (whether it’s work from home, you’re an essential worker, protesting, business owner, etc.) we just want to remind people with our music the importance to recharge before heading back into the groove. We’re lucky enough to keep releasing new music and will continue to bring the fiya.”