From country roots to funky folk – Yazmindi making waves in the Northern Rivers

YASMIN Morris grew up surrounded by music. Her parents were musicians, performing their own songs at pubs and folk festivals around Cooktown in Tropical North Queensland.

She began playing piano at age five, picked up the guitar soon after, and by 12 had written her first song. At just 13, she was already performing at festivals and community events as part of a country rock band, while studying at the Australian Institute of Country Music in Gympie.

Then when she was 16 she was scouted at a small folk festival, Black Mountain Unplugged, by Texan artist Robyn Ludwick. That meeting led to her performing twice at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) creative festival in Texas.

“She invited me (and my mum) to Texas for mentorship, co-writing and performing for five weeks,” Morris said. “I had to get permission from my school principal because I was school captain. After graduating, I saved up to go back for two months to perform, write, and record music with Robyn. The Americana folk scene over there is incredible and incredibly inspiring for songwriting, it’s like a second home to me.”

Since then, Morris — who now performs under the stage name Yazmindi — has lived across Australia chasing her music dream. But one place always called to her: the Northern Rivers. Drawn by its beautiful beaches and vibrant creative community, she finally made the move during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and now calls Lennox Head home.

“Since moving, I’ve thrown myself into the local arts scene and feel so nurtured as a musician,” Morris said. “Growing up, I’d listen to Byron Bay artists and travel down to Bluesfest with my family. I work in music, events, youth mentoring, and radio, so this really feels like the perfect place for me.”

Known for her soulful vocals, raw harmonica, stomp box grooves and heartfelt storytelling, the 27-year-old regularly performs her blend of contemporary folk, roots, and country-infused pop at venues across the region.

She also co-hosts the BayFM radio show Off the Charts with Max & Yaz every Friday afternoon. Curated by young people, the show features local youth bands, gig guides, surf reports, good news and social commentary.

“I also host a segment called Sister Soundwaves, where I interview women working across the music industry,” she says. “We chat about the real ups and downs, share stories, and offer tips for those stepping into the industry.”

Despite her many roles, songwriting and producing remain her first love. She draws inspiration from a wide range of sources — societal pressures, love, loss, heartbreak, freedom, self-expression, self-love and observations of the world around her.

 

“I enjoy writing from different perspectives, stepping into other people’s shoes, and turning personal experiences into songs that cut through,” she says. “Relationships in my life often spark ideas that I then expand and play with creatively.”

Among her favourite songs is I Don’t Mind, a jazzy, swanky breakup song written about her parents’ divorce — complete with a killer saxophone solo — and Dream On, an uplifting female empowerment anthem inspired by a trip to New York City. Then there’s Avocado Latte, her tongue-in-cheek ode to Far North Queensland.

“I wrote it after moving from Cairns to Melbourne and getting teased for being from Queensland while living with some wild vegan housemates who drank avocado lattes,” she said. “It’s about missing home and small-town life. Living in the Northern Rivers now feels like the perfect mix of Melbourne and Cairns — lots of hipsters who can actually take a joke.”

Her debut album, Dream On, released in 2022, reflects her growth from a dreaming teen to an ambitious young woman.

“It captures my experiences from ages 16 to 23 when I experienced lots of love, loss, tongue-in-cheek moments and societal pressures,” she said. “I wanted each track to explore different musical influences that inspire me while keeping the focus on authenticity and empowerment, especially for young women. It’s an album I wish I’d had as a teenager, full of love, optimism and a resilience I hope listeners connect with.”

After a successful regional Queensland tour with her band, Morris is now writing new material and plans to hit the studio again later this year. In the meantime, she’s looking forward to her debut at the upcoming Nimbin Roots Festival.

“I love the community ethos,” she said. “Nimbin Roots is all about real, grassroots musicians. The audience genuinely appreciates the music and supports smaller artists, which is refreshing. It’s wholesome, inclusive and artists are chosen for their musicality, not their social media or Spotify following. I’m also helping behind the scenes with the festival team, which has been a fantastic experience. It’s going to be a huge weekend for me being the artist liaison and volunteer coordinator while also performing, but I love being part of it.”

Yazmindi performs at Nimbin Bowlo on Friday, October 24, from 8.30pm.

For more information and tickets, visit nimbinrootsfest.com