Navigation

YaSi Played Her First Show for the Guy Who Broke Her Heart

The guy who broke her heart showed up to her first concert.
Karl Christian Krumpholz

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $17,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Denver. Thanks for reading Westword.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal
$17,000
$6,100
Share this:
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

“It was my senior year of college. I was balancing two jobs, writing a new EP, and experiencing my first heartbreak. This show was a distraction — and a catalyst to take my career seriously. I then woke up with no voice, body aches and a fever. I anxiously warmed up my voice to see if I had any range to sing with; luckily, most of it was still there.

click to enlarge
Karl Christian Krumpholz

“As I got ready, my DJ told me that the boy I wrote most of these songs about was going to be there. I was so not ready for that! I hadn’t seen him since he brutally dumped me. Now he was going to be at my first show?! Hearing songs about how he hurt me?! I cringed! I tried my best to avoid him, but of course, like all stories, I saw him right before I went up.

click to enlarge
Karl Christian Krumpholz

“I wondered whether I should perform those songs. They were so personal. I honestly felt embarrassed, but music is therapy, right? And what better intervention than crooning my sorrows to a crowd...and the one person who never really cared about how he hurt me. I brushed off the doubt and sang my heart out.”


There will be an art installation and screening of YaSi’s new video, “Lie,” at Fort Greene Bar on Saturday, February 24, from 4 to 7 p.m.


Editor's Note: The Denver Bootleg is a series chronicling the history of local music venues by longtime Denver cartoonist Karl Christian Krumpholz. Visit Krumpholz's website to see more of his work.