I Ya Toyah has been described by Regen magazine as “a one-woman musical army, waging a powerful electro industrial campaign.” A native of Poland, her stage name is derived from the Polish language. Now based in Chicago, I Ya Toyah combines elements of industrial, pop, electronic, dark wave and alternative-rock styles, showcasing intensely personal lyrical themes.
Fiercely committed to her art and activism, I Ya Toyah’s career has been a model of the DIY ethos. She’s released a series of EPs in recent years, and toured extensively with her riveting, one-person live show. Now, she’s set to release a full-length album entitled Drama. She worked closely with industrial OGs Stabbing Westward’s Walter Flaccus creating the tracks for the new recording. Drama is set for an October 4 release, and you can find videos for the new tracks, including the mesmerizing “Denial,” on YouTube right now.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Please check out the full interview video at the end of this article, or on our YouTube channel, @360degreesound.
360°Sound: I love the simple intensity of the “Denial” video. It enhances the native intensity of the track, and tells a story of its own. Tell me about creating that piece.
I Ya Toyah: The song itself talks about [the] human condition and dealing with our own demons. I was thinking for the longest time how to present it in the visual form, but also not to repeat visual creative choices that I’ve done before. And this idea came to mind – the puzzles. [Director] Alex Zarek very strongly influenced this whole idea. Together, we combined the forces and then brought in a very talented makeup artist, Allie Hendron. It took almost three hours to do the makeup. But it really showcased things the way I wanted to with this particular song.
That puzzle-like makeup gives you a sort of superhero presence. And there’s nothing I like better than a superhero origin story. Can you share a little bit of your back story with me?
I come from Poland, but I enjoy being here, through better or worse. We go through different times in this country, not always very easy for mental health. I’m trying to make the best of what I can do here in America.
I started musical education at a very young age, only to be interrupted by an accident that put me in coma for three months. But [music] was always with me. You can see it today, as a grown up, I’m doing it. I don’t think there is another life choice for me, honestly, that’s the passion I have. That’s the thing I want to do. ‘I Ya Toyah,’ it’s just me. It’s just me, because I perform on my own. I oversee all activities of my musical act on my own.
I read that I Ya Toyah in Polish means ‘just me,’ or ‘this is me.’
I thought the best way to communicate my connection to my roots and my Polish being is to incorporate it in my musical name, so I Ya Toyah just made the most sense.
You’ve been characterized as a leading artistic voice of the DIY movement. It’s almost a necessity in the business these days. What does DIY mean to you?
It’s literally, as it is, ‘do it yourself.’ If you don’t do it yourself, then is it going to be what you want it to be? It begins with music, which I write, compose, produce. I do have coproducers – for this particular record, it’s Walter Flaccus of Stabbing Westward, who I adore. He’s extremely talented and absolutely elevated the quality.
I started my own label last year – Femme Fatale records. I didn’t want to sign to another record label, because I’m already doing all the work. I don’t want to sign just to be signed. I actually pride myself on not being signed.
Yes, I think that is a point of pride. The music business has changed so much in recent decades. How do you define success for yourself in today’s industry?
I guess it would be the happiness. This sense of fulfillment that I feel when I wake up, and the sense of peace that I experience when I go to sleep. That sense of wonder drives me. There’s always this hunger, always this curiosity what I can do, what can be created, what’s next? You know, that happiness, that internal peace… this is success.
Tell me about the activist facet of your career.
Mental health in particular, became a driving force of starting I Ya Toyah. My mom committed suicide. After that loss, I couldn’t process it – that was so hard. I think when you are a suicide-loss survivor, it never ends; you process it for the rest of your life. I figured that I just have to give my mom’s life some kind of meaning, like, she can’t just be gone. So, from the first years of I Ya Toyah, I’ve been working with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and donating 15% of my proceeds to them.
Recently, I started my own sub-chapter of I Ya Toyah, which is like a charity. I started producing 988 crisis-line [suicide & crisis intervention] bracelets, and basically give them away for free to anyone who requests them. You can send me email at iyatoyah@gmail.com with your address, and I will send you bracelets. I also bring them on tour. Those bracelets are like a loud scream, ‘Here you go! Wear it and talk about it.’ That is one of the things that I do that I can’t not do. It’s kind of in me.
The other [passion] is animals. My dog, Benek, is a face of animal-wellness awareness. I figured, how else to promote a message of animal-wellness awareness, if not with a cute face like his? His face is a little easier to help digest the dark stuff that is happening. Little things every day we can do to make things better for life around us that is not human.
Let’s talk some more about the new album. I’m really digging Drama. From the lead track, “Afterlight,” there’s a strong groove and melodic sense to the tunes. They’re hooky, but they’re not calculated. And I really love the dynamics on the record. How does Drama represent the next step on your artistic journey?
I can be very unpredictable. I go with the instinctual, almost like survival stuff. This is definitely the record that represents my roots. I’ve always loved alternative-rock music, metal music, and of course, industrial, electronic. This record combines all of those styles [It’s] grittier, a little bit more alt-rock influence. It’s in big part thanks to Walter, who, as Stabbing Westward magician, added his flair. Prior to even him entering my studio, my songwriting style was highly influenced by the fact that he will be working on this record. I approached it like, ‘Okay, he’s going to be the one listening.’ And that just opened it; it was the easiest thing.
I’ve always wanted to do this. I feel like Drama has been waiting for many years to become, and suddenly this opportunity happened, and it just poured out of me. I want to tour with this record. Definitely want to do some shows, perform the new songs.
“Dream Not to Dream” is my favorite track on the new record. I love the groove, and I also love the notion of dreaming not to dream – about someone or something. I get that. The mind is always working.
That’s awesome that this song connects with you. It’s a very special song for me, because I usually use my power vocal more than anything else, and then this song, I just whisper-sang… until the chorus. It’s just very delicate.
Are you an auteur? You’re writing and producing. Are you playing all the instruments as well?
Yes, I’m playing all the instruments. So when I perform, it’s a one-woman-army show, as people call it. And very intense. I use keyboards, pedal boards, loopers, triggers, and guitar. When you come to my shows, you’ll probably see me sweating at the end of my set.
Who are some new artists that you you think we should check out?
I love listening to Poppy these days – some of the darker, more industrial tunes. Bad Omens and Sleep Token are like my driving music. Those are things in my ears. A lot of people say there is nothing new that can happen in music. I don’t believe this. I think we can continue bringing new styles, new music, sounds, and mixtures into this world.
I Ya Toyah will be performing at the upcoming industrial Cold Waves Festival at Metro in Chicago.
Keep up with I Ya Toyah, and look for tour dates on her website, iyatoyah.com
Remember, you can email her at iyatoyah@gmail.com, and she will send you suicide-prevention bracelets.
