Yoke Lore performing during the Beauty Is Everywhere Tour at the Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater in Austin, Texas on March 28, 2024. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
"When asked about the origin of his musical alias Yoke Lore, Adrian Galvin explains, 'A ‘yoke’ is something that holds things together. ‘Lore’ means a set of stories or a collection of ideas about an event, time, or culture.' Yoke Lore is the solo musical project of Adrian Galvin, formerly of Yellerkin and Walk the Moon, based in New York. Combining the harmonies reminiscent of Panda Bear, the soulful beats of M83, and the contemporary pop vibe of Blackbird, Yoke Lore endeavors to narrate 'the stories of how we are bound.' Galvin’s compositions weave together banjo, vocals, and percussion to craft compelling pop music marked by its emotional honesty and unwavering conviction. He elaborates, 'I aim to explore narratives concerning memories, relationships, apprehensions, and aspirations that unite us. Universal experiences, whether emotional or spiritual, are best communicated through the poignant lens of personal anecdotes. Music possesses the capacity to elevate the deeply personal to the epic.'
Having released three well-received EPs, 'Far Shore' (2016), 'Goodpain' (2017), and 'Absolutes' (2018), Yoke Lore garnered a devoted following. The release of 'Meditations' saw Galvin stripping down several of his familiar tracks, replacing electronic elements with arrangements featuring piano, horns, and strings. Galvin reflects on this reinterpretation, stating, 'In stripping away extraneous elements, I aimed to offer listeners a refined experience of the essence of the song itself. By eliminating clutter, one can unburden oneself.' Among these reinterpretations, the 'Meditations' EP also includes two new studio tracks.
The release of the acclaimed EP 'Goodpain,' with the standout single of the same name resonating strongly with both established and newfound fans. Spotify took notice, inviting Galvin to their New York City studio to record an acoustic rendition of 'Goodpain' along with two covers for his Spotify Singles: 'Last Christmas' by Wham! and 'Truly Madly Deeply' by Savage Garden. Yoke Lore's rendition of 'Truly Madly Deeply' found an unexpected admirer in pop icon Taylor Swift, who featured it on her curated Spotify playlist 'Songs Taylor Loves'.
Three years of relentless touring, supporting acts such as Bastille, LP, Frenship, Overcoats, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Aquilo, and performing at festivals worldwide, including SXSW, The Great Escape, Field Trip, and Billboard Hot 100, culminated in Yoke Lore's inaugural US headline tours, selling out venues across the nation.
Fan reviews:Setlist for the show at the Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater
Loved seeing yoke lore. Very energetic performance. Whole crowd was singing along.
Yoke lore is truly one of the greatest artists to see live. His voice is ethereal and his dancing is so alive! I don’t know how else to describe it but he creates a whole performance and he gives so much to the audience it’s truly beautiful to watch.
Magical voice and experience. We love yoke lore and it was awesome to see him live in a smaller gathering and play to our favorite songs and new songs! Thank you.
The energy was unreal! Loved yoke lore so much before I ever saw him live, but I loved his energy and authenticity on stage. He was himself 100% and it showed. His voice and presence matched up 100% to his music and I loved every second.
Amazing performance! I listen to him prior and thought what a chill vibe! His performance definitely outshined any show that I’ve been to in a while! Even with the Indy vibe, he brought the best energy to the show and had everyone moving. 10/10 recommend!
- Cruciform I
- Softy
- Chin Up
- Seeds
- Truly Madly Deeply
- Hallucinate
- Shake
- Beige
- Winona
Yoke Lore shared the stage with Chelsea Cutler at the Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater. They continue across the United States with the last stop at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee on March 30, 2024.
Yoke Lore
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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