Behind the Sound: The Yard Woman
Epidemic Sound’s artists make our company sing. Join Greek-born, London-based DJ/producer, The Yard Woman, for the fourth edition of our monthly series: Behind the Sound.
Epidemic Sound is a world-class soundtracking partner because of our roster — without our artists, we have no catalog. Together, we help everyone from first-time creators to household brands find their voice. That’s worth celebrating.
Today, we’re heading into the fourth edition of Behind the Sound, in which we salute the musicians who’re taking Epidemic Sound to the next level.
This month, it’s Elena Persaud: a Greek-born DJ and producer living in London, UK. Or, as her fans call her, The Yard Woman.
Inspired by everything from deep house to metal, hyperpop to electro-swing, her uniquely melodic techno is as delicious as it is diverse. The Yard Woman’s broad palette means nothing is off limits — she’s played everywhere from Village Underground to SXSW.
Still buzzing from the release of her latest banger, Bubblegum, The Yard Woman had a chat with us. Keep reading for her take on the creative process, the pyramids of Giza, doing the worm, and everything in between.
Your SXSW set looked like a trip. What was going through your head?
The Yard Woman: “Interacting with the crowd during my DJ set for SXSW was the most memorable thing. I saw the crowd dancing and truly letting loose — they weren’t afraid to dance and go beyond the usual two-step you see people doing in clubs in Europe. They were break-dancing, shuffling, even doing the worm!”
You’re a proud supporter of divine feminine energy in dance music. How does that manifest in your sets?
TYW: “Feminine energy for me is intuitive, sensual, and deep. I’m reading the room energetically when DJing, holding space on stage — inviting the crowd in an exchange of energy rather than dominating the space.”
As a Greek-born artist who lives in the UK: how do those two cultures influence your music?
TYW: “Bristol’s amazing drum and bass culture has influenced my production — it’s Bristol coming through when I reach for harsher, grittier sounds. Going out in Greece is more urban, and that rule-breaking attitude has influenced the world I want to create with my music.”
What’s the most unexpected place or moment that inspired a song?
TYW: “My mum used to love Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors — his preacher-style vocals inspired me to write a trippy, psychedelic track. It’s called Drink Me, Shrink Me, and will be out with Epidemic Sound in the summer.”
Where’s the ideal place for listeners to experience your new tracks?
TYW: “I see more and more promoters throwing club nights in unusual, bespoke places, like castles or hidden speakeasy bars. That’s where I’d love for people to hear my new tracks.
“Cercle [the French music company] puts on amazing events at historical spaces. Performing in front of the Pyramids of Giza is on the top of my bucket list — the atmosphere must be incredible.”
How did you find your sound?
TYW: “Seeing Parov Stelar when I was 12 opened my eyes to the unlimited combinations electronic music can be paired with. He’s the pioneer of the electro-swing genre — he fuses electronic music with swing, which is such an unexpected combo.
“I used to write more melancholic, driving tracks. I’ve been making more positive, groovy tracks this past year, which still have deep and quirky elements. I’ve also gotten into detuning and messing with sounds.
“I start with finding some vocals to process and play around with. Once I find some catchy phrases, I build the groove to complement the vocals, find the bassline, and go from there.
“I always make music that I’d like to listen to when I go out — the world in the past year feels like a dark place, and I’ve found myself needing more positive and fun music when I go out to counterbalance that. I want to create anthems for bad kids running wild, wreaking havoc with a smirk and zero apologies.”
You were mentored by EDM legend Richie Hawtin as part of Epidemic Sound’s mentorship program. What’s the best piece of advice he gave you?
TYW: “Comb through a track until you find the sound or the part that’s the “hands-up moment,” where the energy in the club lifts. Once you find that, don’t be afraid to repeat it within the track.
“Another piece of advice that stuck with me is that sometimes, in dance music, you have to bring it back to only kick and bass. It’s easy to use a lot of elements, but sometimes it’s nice to bring it back to basics and reset the track.”
Your stage name, “The Yard Woman,” is inspired by strong Greek women like your great-grandmother. How does that legacy shape your music and creative process today?
TYW: “It inspires my work ethic, mostly! I grew up seeing my grandmas and even great-grandma have an endless amount of energy, all their lives. That keeps me going on the days when I don’t feel like going into the studio. I remember that it’s important to just show up every day as best as you can — inspiration isn’t a constant.”
The Yard Woman’s latest release, Bubblegum, is available on all major streaming platforms. Her new track, Drink Me, Shrink Me, will be available in the summer.
Listen to The Yard Woman’s Epidemic Sound discography below, and keep an eye out for the next edition of Behind the Sound.
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