Following the release of his acclaimed project “Everywhere But Always,” Yonny returns with a deluxe edition that adds three new songs and expands on the story he began telling in the original. The updated version feels less like a reissue and more like a continuation, a deeper dive into the emotions and growth that came after the initial release. With tracks like “Jumbo Jet,” “I Am,” and a remix of fan favorite “Blue Door” featuring Ambré, Yonny uses this chapter to explore fear, excitement, and evolution, both personally and musically.
In this interview, Yonny reflects on what inspired the deluxe edition, the collaborations that helped shape it, and how his artistry continues to develop with each release. From connecting with producers like Sango to performing with a live jazz band in his hometown of Seattle, he talks about the lessons learned, the honesty behind his lyrics, and where he sees his music heading next.
The deluxe edition of “Everywhere but Always” adds three new tracks. What made you feel like this project needed to be expanded instead of moving on to something completely new?
I think what the deluxe served as was the finishing piece of the story, sort of like an epilogue in a book. Other than the remix of ‘Blue Door’ with Ambré, the additional two songs, ‘Jumbo Jet’ & ‘I Am’, serve as a direct continuation from the end of ‘Everywhere, But Always’. Immediately after dropping the project, there was a lot going on in my life, and those songs were all those feelings getting expressed and out of my head. There was a lot of excitement about what was next, alongside a lot of fear and doubt, and those were all instrumental in me being able to evolve musically.
You worked with Ambré and Sango on this version. What drew you to those collaborations, and how did those songs come together?
Sango was someone that I had known about for a while, and it was by pure coincidence that I met a mutual friend of his and was able to get connected with the man himself. From the first phone call, I knew that we were forming a strong relationship, and it organically turned into one of my favorite songs I’ve made. With Ambré, it was such a beautiful surprise near the end of getting all the songs done for the deluxe. I was able to get on the phone with her as well and pick her brain about the industry and we were able to get to know each other a bit before she went and flamed her verse on the remix. Those two both took the deluxe to the next level, and I’m excited for even more collaboration in the future.
“I Am” feels especially personal. What does that song represent for you at this point in your journey?
That song honestly feels like a reintroduction to all the new people who have begun following my journey since releasing EBA back in 2024. ‘I Am’ takes you through the inner workings of my memories and thoughts, and I feel like I’m trying to let the listeners in on my life beyond the music. I think as artists we all have a point in time where our identity comes into question, and what we’re trying to portray to the rest of the world. This song gave me the ability to proudly showcase who Yonny is to both new and old fans.
When you think about the original “Everywhere But Always” compared to the deluxe edition, what do you feel the new version says about your growth as an artist in the past year?
Firstly, I think sonically we changed things up in a major way, the original being mostly live instrumentation, whereas the deluxe is more virtual instruments, trying to attack it from a different angle. Also, in terms of my style, it’s a lot more rap-focused; EBA was full of all different kinds of styles, from jazz, hip-hop, singing, and dance. I knew what I wanted to say on these new songs was gonna take a different approach, and they couldn’t have come out better.
The deluxe edition includes a remix of “Blue Door.” What made you want to revisit that track, and how does Ambré’s presence change the meaning or vibe of the song for you?
It always felt like that song was a fan favorite; it got a lot of love when we first put the project out, and it never had any kind of push with a video or marketing. So, when it came to deciding what song deserved a remix, it was a no-brainer that ‘Blue Door’ was the right call. Ambré gave the track a new life; it somehow became even smoother than before, and the dynamic between her and me fit so well. She caught the meaning immediately, which I credit to our phone call prior, where she asked me personally what the song meant to me; she’s amazing all around.
Seattle is at the core of your story. How do you see yourself shaping the city’s hip-hop scene while also pushing your music to a global audience?
For me, I love the idea of being a part of what is hopefully a new piece of history for our music scene in Seattle. Growing up here my whole life, you could only hope to have the chance to leave a lasting impact somewhere you call home, and what Seattle has done for me is let me cultivate my artistry until I was ready to take on the rest of the world. If I can inspire another kid from the city that we can chase out dreams as well, then my job will be complete.
You recently performed with a live jazz band in Seattle. How did that experience influence the way you think about your music and performing?
Since starting my career back in August of 2022, I knew I wanted to eventually have a full live band performance. Live shows for me are one of the most important parts of being a musician; it’s the most intimate way for artists to connect with fans. I think with every performance, I learn something new and find some way to improve myself for the next one. With the live jazz band show, it was the first time I utilized in-ear, and what I was able to do was have more control in my voice range when singing, and the ability to hear myself clearer than ever, which dramatically changed how I will forever do shows.
Has honesty ever felt risky, or do you see it as your strongest asset?
I think my whole career thus far has been built on my authenticity as an artist, and merging my creativity with my past life experiences to create these stories that resonate with people. I don’t think risky is the word, maybe just hesitant? And by that I mean being hesitant with what you wanna be honest about; what stories to tell. Over time, I’ve learned that the more vulnerable I am, the deeper the bond between fan and artist becomes, which is ultimately the goal.
Where do you see your music and message heading next?
I’ve never really been the type to have everything planned out ahead of time, whether that’s a good or bad thing is unknown, but it’s the truth! These stories for my projects have all naturally come to be, and I think that’s how I want to continue doing them. Music has always been an outlet for me to express my thoughts and emotions during those specific times, and it’s probably going to stay that way for a long time. So, in terms of what’s next, I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
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