The Hidden Voice of a City in Bloom
In a world that increasingly demands visibility, Yarah has chosen the power of presence over appearance. The Syrian-Canadian singer-songwriter from Toronto has carved a space for herself in the music scene with nothing but raw emotion, magnetic storytelling, and hauntingly beautiful melodies. Keeping her identity hidden, she invites listeners to experience her art without distraction to feel rather than simply see.
Born and raised in Toronto, Yarah embodies the quiet complexity of the city itself: diverse, vibrant, and emotionally layered. Her music doesn’t just reflect Toronto’s sound- it adds to it. With deeply personal lyrics that often explore love, identity, desire, and vulnerability, her songs strike a universal chord while remaining unmistakably her own. Her debut EP, Just For Now, and recent singles like One Last Night and Pity Party showcase a rising talent who isn’t afraid to put her heart on the line.
What makes Yarah truly remarkable is her ability to turn introspection into connection. She transforms private truths into shared experiences, crafting songs that offer comfort, clarity, and a sense of being seen. Her artistry speaks to anyone who’s ever felt between worlds culturally, emotionally, or creatively.
In this exclusive interview with TorontoPages, Yarah opens up about her childhood influences, her songwriting journey, the unique energy of Toronto, and what lies ahead in her ever-evolving musical story. What follows is a portrait of an artist who remains unseen by choice, yet impossible to ignore.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Yarah and I’m a Syrian-Canadian singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada.
Can you share any early memories from your childhood that first sparked your passion for music?
Growing up, I developed a serious obsession with Shakira. I used to watch all her music videos and see her dance and perform, and I remember thinking, that’s what I want to do.
Did you receive formal musical training, or was your journey more self-directed?
I was never formally trained to sing. It’s something I just loved to do from a young age, and I began songwriting probably the cringiest songs ever at first when I was about six or seven years old.
How did your family and upbringing influence your decision to pursue a career in music?
My parents have always loved music and dancing, and I grew up watching my Arab relatives do this at family functions. I’m sure that had some influence on me being drawn to entertaining and developing a love for music.
How did growing up in Toronto shape your artistic voice and musical style?
Toronto has always had such a distinct and special sound. It’s more of a feeling than a consistent sound across artists from here, but that’s always inspired me. I’m more than proud to contribute to the music from this city.
In what ways has your cultural background influenced the stories you tell through your music?
As an Arab woman born and raised in Canada, I’ve always had a bit of an identity crisis. There were many things considered taboo in my culture that I felt drawn to do, but I always felt guilty about it. I think my music is a result of those experiences, which in turn reflect my upbringing.
How do you approach vulnerability in songwriting, and what inspires the emotional honesty of your lyrics?
I think music that’s real comes from real feelings. I’ve had songs I originally didn’t feel were strong enough to do well, but they ended up being the ones that resonated most with people. I guess listeners can really hear the feeling behind the music.
You’ve chosen to keep your identity hidden. How has that decision impacted your creative process and the way fans engage with your art?
This decision has definitely impacted my experience as an artist and my career as a whole so far. It was meant to keep the focus on the music, and it’s definitely served its purpose.
Your recent EP explores the idea that “things are just for now.” What inspired this theme, and how does it resonate with your personal journey?
I remember the name of the project just came to me so randomly, almost as if it was planted there. I think the title serves as a reminder that the best, the worst, and everything in between may only be temporary. As a (hopefully recovered) over-thinker, it’s also a reminder to live in the moment because it won’t last forever.
How have your experiences since your last project influenced your newest body of work?
I’ve definitely gone through a whirlwind of experiences and emotions since my last project. I’m definitely one of the most emotional people in my inner circle, I feel things very deeply and could cry about almost anything. Listeners will hear that side of me in my next body of work more than ever before.
Which artists or aspects of Toronto’s music scene have inspired you most, and how do you reflect the city’s energy in your sound?
I love the moodiness of the city. I think it’s reflected in the tension in my music. I remember listening to PARTYNEXTDOOR at Queen and University in my fourth year of high school and thinking he captured the feeling of the entire city in a single song.
You identify as a storyteller. What does storytelling mean to you in the context of music and artistry?
I went to an event where Jessie Reyez was speaking, and something she said really stuck with me: “Being an artist and making music is like being given the power of alchemy.” No matter what you’ve gone through, good or bad, the fact that artists can create something beautiful from it is a true gift. Telling stories through music is part of that gift.
What was the creative process like for your debut EP, and how did that experience influence your confidence as an artist?
Honestly, I was just writing and recording songs as life unfolded, and all of a sudden we had a project. I guess art really does imitate life – the project kind of made itself.
Are there any current projects or future releases you’re especially excited about?
I’m very excited about my upcoming releases. One of my next singles is the most personal song I’ve ever written, and it feels like a true piece of my heart.
Outside of music, what are your personal interests or hobbies, and how do they contribute to your creativity?
I’d love to be less cliché and say I don’t love matcha, Pilates, and true crime podcasts, but that really is the case.
Can you talk about a significant challenge you’ve faced and how you overcame it?
I think in music, we’re always going to face challenges. Being an artist in general is challenging, but writing one good song that makes me feel heard makes it all feel a little bit better.
How do you personally define success, and has that definition changed throughout your journey?
I used to think I’d feel successful once I won a Grammy or reached a certain number of streams, but now I believe being able to do what I love every day without the simple stresses would be a true win.
Your songs often explore love, desire, and introspection. How do you balance universal themes with personal authenticity?
I think telling those stories with as much rawness as possible gives people a glimpse into who I am. To me, that’s one of the highest forms of authenticity, vulnerability and even intimacy.
What do you hope your audience feels or takes away when listening to your music?
I hope it just makes them feel something. And if they feel heard or not alone in a personal experience, then even better.
When the time comes for you to reveal your identity, what do you think will change in your relationship with your audience?
I think I’ll be able to be closer with them, and they may even feel closer to me.
Your message for the team at TOPS (TorontoPages) magazine:
Thank you for your care and effort in sharing the stories of the people from this beautiful city. I’m honoured to be a part of that.
