TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Yvette Young does not just play guitar, she is inventing new playing styles that redefine the instrument, and with 365K followers on her YouTube channel, she is a major influencer at the forefront of modern music.

As the creative force behind progressive rock act Covet, she turned two-handed tapping and open tunings into something unexpectedly emotional, even cinematic. 

Ahead of her return to Taipei on April 19, Young spoke to Taiwan News about pushing boundaries, chasing feeling over perfection, and bringing her genre-defying sound to one of Asia’s most passionate audiences.

What do you remember from your last Taipei performance? Do fans reach out to you?

I remember how warm and hospitable everyone at the show was. I did receive a few messages from fans beforehand, and I really wish I had more time to say hello to everyone. 

My favorite thing about shows is that no matter our different backgrounds, everyone shares a love for music. The Taiwan show definitely embodied that spirit.

I saw a video where you speak a little Mandarin. Where is your family from?

I don’t have any family in Taiwan; my parents are originally from Beijing but immigrated to the US for work. It makes me very proud and happy whenever I get to return to Asia and connect with my culture.

You make highly technical guitar playing feel warm and dreamy, something that often comes across as cold. Was that intentional?

Thank you! For me, emotion is always at the forefront. My background is in classical music, and I competed in many technical competitions, which gave me an aversion to using music to one-up others. I picked up a guitar while I was in the hospital as a form of therapy during a deep depression.

Music became a way to express things I didn’t have words for. That’s the most powerful aspect of music: it brings people together and can be a tool for healing. It can be technical and emotional, but if my music doesn’t make you feel something or imagine a story unfolding, then I feel like I have failed.

Do you ever write a riff and think, “Can I actually play this live?”

All the time. But I think it’s okay to adapt things for live performance. Recording lets you create the dream version of a song; with technology, you can achieve anything you imagine.

I used to only write what I could perform live, but that held me back. Now I write freely and figure it out later. Live performance and recording are two different art forms, different interpretations of the same piece.

I also don’t worry as much about technical perfection on stage anymore. Live music is about energy and emotion. It doesn’t have to be note-for-note perfect as long as the feeling is there and I’m having fun.

What’s it like being a guitarfluencer? Do you enjoy creating content and tutorials?

I will be real. I think content culture is the downfall of art. I think as soon as we make music into this algorithm-driven content-based thing that feeds the capitalist machine, it kills art and homogenizes everything and stops experimentation. 

It's a lot of work that most artists hate doing, but somehow we have found ourselves in a position where we have to do it to be seen. I love thinking of alternatives where we are not complicit in the undoing of our own mental health, like what would happen if we all agreed to put more effort into quality art rather than quantity of content, you know? 

I love playing guitar, writing, and creating. Teaching and sharing that joy also gives me purpose. If I participate in this system, I want to do it on my own terms: as an educator who encourages people to find their voice and have fun.

Music saved my life when I was in the hospital. I want others to see it as a tool for expression and healing. As a former art teacher, I love helping people build confidence through creativity. The skills and connections people want with music are more accessible than they think.

Asia has a strong scene for progressive and instrumental music. Is it the same in the US?

There’s a big scene in the US as well, especially around emo and “twinkly” post/prog rock. Instrumental music has seen explosive growth as well, and I'm so happy about the scene and community growing!

You mentioned you have a lot coming up this year. What can fans expect in 2026?

I have a signature guitar coming out with Ibanez in October, a new pink Talman with P90 pickups. I’ll be releasing a song alongside it.

I am also sitting on a solo album I would love to release, and I have some collaborative songs in the works that I’m really excited about. I’ll be traveling to Asia and the UK for more guitar clinics, which I love because they allow for more personal interaction than live shows.

I also have a US East Coast tour with LITE around June. Beyond that, my year is always full of surprises.

What are you looking forward to in Taipei?

I love Taiwanese night markets: the food, the energy, the lights. I’m also obsessed with boba tea, I could drink it every day.

My friend also has a really nice vegan restaurant I want to visit called Plants Eatery. The food there is so nice and beautifully presented. Also, I am excited to shop for some cool clothes and accessories. Asian fashion is where it's at! 

Yvette Young plays with Covet on April 19 in Taipei. For more information, please visit the website.