Our Story
Welcome to Shiitake Brains! We're Kristin and Henry, a dynamic duo and a married couple passionate about storytelling. Together, we've forged Shiitake Brains as a testament to our shared love for the power of music and editing.
Our journey began from the belief that every story deserves to be told authentically, with clarity and precision. That's why authenticity lies at the heart of everything we do. We understand the importance of your message, whether it's for your business, creative project, or personal endeavor.
We're here to elevate your content. Let's embark on this journey together and create something extraordinary.
Who We Are
Kristin Yawata is a self-described eternal student. Her desire to explore storytelling as a career led her to UC-Santa Cruz where she studied Film and Digital Media. Upon graduation, she found herself gravitating towards editorial as she greatly enjoyed watching the entire filmmaking process come together.
Today, Yawata focuses her time on commercials, short films and digital projects. Through her work with Nike, Google and the AdCouncil she developed a passion for docu-style projects that feel real with a touch of polish. She was nominated for a AICP award award in 2021. She is interested in working on more long-form and music video projects.
In her spare time, Yawata enjoys being a new mom, traveling, and working on personal projects.
Kristin Yawata
Founder & Editor
Henry McLees is a multi-instrumentalist who has been composing music for over 20 years. His focus is on vintage sounds with a modern twist.
Henry McLees
Founder, Composer, & Mixer
Our Clients
