Review Fix Exclusive: Venor Yard Interview: The Soul of the New York City Subway

The cold metal doors of the Q train closed quickly behind him as he nervously stepped into the first car. Donning his favorite brown ascot cap, an anxious Venor Yard waited for the train to begin moving. His unassuming audience was distracted- too busy recovering from a long day at the office.

Yard knew it was time to shine.

A performance on the train was nothing new to the 24-year old Yard, he still had butterflies in his stomach.

“That first car is always the hardest, you don’t know how you are going to be received,” Yard said.

The train began to wobble to the next stop as Yard shakily reached for his acoustic guitar, securely strapped to his clammy back.

He started to gently strum the strings of his guitar, as his confidence grew. Then with a smile, he began to belt out the soothing lyrics of “Girlfriend for the Night.”

“I just need you all night long- I been chillin’ trying to keep it to myself,” he sang. “Beauty all around me, but I see nobody else.”

The passengers began to glance, some even gave him their full attention.

Every passenger that had texted on their phone, or engaged in a conversation with a friend, now had their eyes on him. The tiny ear buds and the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones began to fall out of the passenger’s ears too; he owned their ears for the next three minutes.

Still in the zone, Yard slowly opened his eyes midway through the song. His feet were still nervously moving to the beat- but he just had to know what the audience thought of his performance thus far. Pleased with the reception, Yard happily finished the song with a smile that could’ve lit up the New York City skyline.

Yard then confidently strolled through the shaking train car, anxiously making his way to the next car or what he likes to call, “the next stage.” With his favorite brown ascot cap now in hand, he thanks the crowd for listening and asked for any donations to help support his dream of becoming a full-time musician along the way.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Yard grew up in a large family. They always supported his dream of becoming a popular musician. But they also wanted him to grow up to be an even better person.

“I would say that my family members always tried to instill moral values and respect in me. I have a big family, so I’ve had a lot of influences in my life,” stated Yard.

As a child Yard quickly became acquainted with music, especially hip-hop and R&B. At just six years old, he received his first electronic keyboard as a birthday gift and taught himself how to play it. Yard didn’t know the ins and outs of the instrument yet but practiced every single day until he got it right.

“I remember trying to play back what I would hear on the radio, it wasn’t as good though, of course,“ said Yard. “Singing some Boyz II Men was definitely one of my favorite things to do.”

Although musical programs were not offered to Yard in both elementary and middle school, he did not let that stop him from his dream. He began to sing whatever he heard on the radio as well and even impressed some of his family members.

At just 10 years old, Yard and his siblings would push aside the raggedy furniture in the living room of their basement apartment every night. Allowing them to create a homemade stage in the middle of the floor, to perform in front of their parents.

When Yard got his chance to showcase his musical talent in school- he attended a high school for performing arts- he took full advantage of the opportunity at hand. There, Yard taught himself how to play one of the old wooden guitars the school had available.

“Those guitars definitely weren’t top of the line, but I just had to work with what they offered me.” Yard said.

The next step for Yard was his school’s talent show. He had felt it was time for him to showcase his musical talent but was still nervous about performing. For the show, Yard chose to sing a song he proudly wrote by himself called “Baby Can I Be Your Man.” He also played it on the school’s jet black piano.

Yard recalled the night like it was yesterday, since it was his first real performance, a big step in his life. Held in a packed high school auditorium, the rose-colored velvet curtains draped the sides of the stage as Yard nervously stepped up to perform.

He wiped his sweaty shaking hands on his denim jeans and began to play his song. With each hesitant press of the piano keys, Yard got more and more comfortable. Before he knew it, his performance was over and to his surprise; the crowd went crazy, erupting to their feet. Yard was in shock, he couldn’t believe what he had just done.

“I loved that feeling, it was so validating. It was like confirmation that I was doing the right thing,” he said.

Years later, Yard taught himself another instrument, drums at the age of 18. Once Yard had mastered so many instruments and felt comfortable with his singing voice, he knew it was time to take his talents to another level. Yard was casted in a musical called “Milk Cart Molly,” but it was unlike anything the talented performer had done before.

“It was my first time having to act and it was very exciting to say the least. I felt nervous having people see me on that kind of stage but after getting the hang of it, I realized that stage wasn’t too different from other stages I had been on as a musician,” Yard said. After performing in the musical, he realized what his true passion was. He wanted to be a well-known musician, nothing else.

While still on the path to his dream, a jolly Yard was with his friend Lionel Brown, also known as “Holliewood,” on their way home from a performance one night. All of a sudden, Brown made a questionable suggestion. As they stepped on to the crowded Q train, Brown jokingly asked “Hey Venor, how much money do you think we could make performing on here?”

They both laughed it off at the time, but a couple of stops later, a hesitant Yard stepped up and began belting out one of his own songs. Although he made a measly $6.50 in a full night of performing, Yard went home that night thinking of all the possibilities showcasing his talents on the subways could open up. He remembered saying “this is not that bad, plus it’s a good source of networking” to himself.

Although not on the train everyday, Yard still performs on the New York City subway when he can. But unlike before when he’d ask for donations from the passengers, he also provides one of his snazzy business cards, even if they don’t have any money. On these cards, Yard has his name, phone number, e-mail, Facebook and Twitter accounts. These tiny cards have helped Yard establish his network and brand.

The aspiring musician has even opened up his own small music studio in Brooklyn, New York, that he mainly uses to help up and coming musicians, like himself, as well as provide a source of income.

Although Yard has yet to reach his dream of becoming a musician, he is well on his way. And surprisingly, most of it is because he started performing on the subway trains of New York City.

“My plans are to stay focused, consistent and persistent in order to improve my craft,” he said. “With those working for me, success is sure to follow.”