Analogue Appreciation: Yazmin Lacey

Set across a navy blue noticeboard, the music video to Yazmin Lacey’s song ​‘Two Steps’ opens with flyers for a line dancing night, bingo Saturdays, and a sign warning of £50 fines for smoking indoors. Led by surreal macabre artist and director Frances O’Sullivan, the scene sets out a line dance event in a working men’s club, which kicks off as the music starts to play, and gradually descends into chaotic scenes of arguments and romance.

It juxtaposes exoticised, caricatured images of Americana with the blue collared surroundings of a British working men’s club, while Lacey’s vocals see her on combative form. ​“If you want me / It ain’t a joke / Blow your house down / I’m on smoke” she sings over a shuffling, acoustic guitar-led beat.

Taken from Lacey’s upcoming second album Teal Dreams, which releases tomorrow (October 24), the track and video demonstrate her wide-lensed creative vision. She’s not only a singer and songwriter, but also a youth worker, horticulturalist, sommelier and radio presenter. Her refusal to be siloed into a single role, while taking interest in the broad spectrum of details, drives the creation of a music video as immersive as ​‘Two Steps’, and music that ranges from intimate and tender R&B to upbeat jazz and raw soul songs.

We wanted to find out more about her diverse tastes, so she invited us into her home for Analogue Appreciation – our series celebrating the physical culture in a digital world. See her picks below.

• Read next: Why London’s queers are flocking to line dance

Kevin Morosky — AFFIRMATIONS FOR YOUR HEAD TOP AND OTHER THINGS TO SAY TO YOURSELF

I absolutely love these cards. I bought them about 5 years ago. I’ve always loved the way Kevin creates and that has inspired my practice so much, it was so natural to then go and work with him. Not only are they beautifully designed but they feel like affirmations that actually land in real, day-to-day London life.

Stationery

This may seem like a boring one, but around my home are endless piles of stationery. I adore stationary of all types: Pukka Pad exercise books, leather bound books, personalised diaries, Japanese stationary – anything I can scribble an idea down in. I almost always write in pen and paper (black ink preferred) and I mainly write lyrics this way. There is something about the physical motion of writing things down that makes ideas easier to flow, and although I’m not consistent, I really think morning pages is such a useful tool for life.

• Read next: Analogue Appreciation: Emma-Jean Thackray

Nala Sinephro poster

This poster is from Nala Sinephro’s show at the Horniman Gardens. It was in the glasshouse and was beautifully lit, with lots of candle-type lights. It was dark and the first time I’d seen her show. This album, Space 1.8, got me through a tough time and gave me some peace, so it’s a reminder to stop and breathe. I love collecting gig tickets and set lists too!

Makeshift shrine

I love making tiny shrines around the house. This is my latest one; I found a butterfly that had passed and they’re so significant to my life (if you don’t know check out the title track ​‘Teal Dreams’ from the album) and placed it by crystals that have been given to me, along with a tiny, mini water jug. I kinda think of these points around the house as focus points – tiny shrines of things that have significance to your life. Other shrines include pictures of my grandmothers, incense and gold. PS I just love collecting miniature things! The idea that someone has taken the time, gentleness and patience to create something really small really inspires me.

Teal Dreams by Yazmin Lacey is out October 24 via AMF Records.

Buy your copy of Huck 82: The Music Issue here.

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