Name: Boko Yout
Occupation: Vocalist, songwriter
Nationality: Swedish
Recent release: Boko Yout's new album GUSTO is out via Hoopdiggas.
Recommendation for Stockholm, Sweden: If you're feening for pizza: 800 grader. If you're more of a cookie person: Sponge Cookies. Thank me later.

If you enjoyed this Boko Yout interview and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit him on Instagram.



When it comes to experiencing the sensation of “energy” as as a listener, which albums, performances, and artists come to mind?

I believe there is energy in all art. All art I've ever experienced comes to mind.

There can be many different kinds of energy in art – soft, harsh, healing, aggressive, uplifting and many more. Which do you tend to feel drawn to most?

I'm drawn to the drama; this sense of urgency and unwavering commitment to the bit.

Art that feels intentional and has a peculiar tone and language.

In as far as it plays a role for the music you like listening to or making, what role do words and the voice of a vocalist play for the transmission of energy?

Words are great, but to me, there's more energy in melodies and tone. I've always loved phonetics and how words can be pronounced.

After years of studying hiphop and focusing on lyrics, I'm swinging towards humming, yapping and jibber-jabber for a change.

When it comes to experiencing the sensation of “energy” as as a creator, how would you describe the physical sensation of experiencing this energy? [Where do you feel it, do you have a visual sensation/representation, is there a sense of release or a build-up of tension etc …]

It's a download from above. I feel like an antenna receiving information, my body as a vessel and my voice as a speaker.

My mom calls it being possessed, not in a negative sense, but as a tool for spirit.

When it comes to composing / songwriting, are you finding that spontaneity and just a few takes tend to capture energy best? Or does honing a piece bring you closer to that goal?

Depends on the song. I always trust whatever comes at the moment.

Especially with the upcoming album and songs like 'IMAGINE' where we kept the first take.

The lyrics aren't set in stone, they are an expression of a feeling. I sing it differently every time we play live because it's never been about the lyrics, it's more about that feeling of being more than a body.

How much of the energy of your own music, would you say, is already part of the composition, how much of it is the result of the recording process?

50/50. Joel's productions always spark ideas in me.

I record most songs holding the microphone, moving around. It's very physical.

It's not the best choice for a clean recording, but it transfers whatever I feel into the composition.

For GUSTO, what kind of energy were you looking for?

Joy, pride, lust and gusto.

It's all about being present and not overthinking.

How do you capture the energy you want in the studio?

Incense, candles, cookies and a good amount of coffee are great tools.

In terms of energy, what changes when you're performing live on stage, with an audience present, compared to the recording stage?

Going from rehearsals to the stage, hearing the potential out loud while sound checking, it gets me going and keeps me excited.

I make music to perform it live, so alot of songs are finished on stage.

How does the presence of the audience and your interaction with it change the energy of the music and how would you describe the creative interaction with listeners during a gig?

The music comes alive with an audience. It's a collaboration, a collective memory being formed, so I leave spots in our set where I can interact with the listeners.

We're a relatively new band, so those interactive moments are crucial when meeting audiences seeing us for the first time.

What kind of feedback have you received from listeners or concert audiences in terms of the experience that your music and/or performances have had on them?

A lot of listeners are shocked they've never heard of us before.

That's the best type of feedback. Being discovered.

Would you say that you prefer to stay in control to be able to shape the energy or do you surrender to it and allow the music to take over? Who, ultimately has control during a live performance?

I always feel like a scout leader on stage, guiding listeners on a path. Some audiences participate for the bit, some don't.

Regardless, as a band, we're more shaped by the circumstances; the venue, the sound system and the amount of sleep we've had.

The energy that music is able to generate can be extremely powerful. How, do you think, can artists make use of this energy to bring about change in the world?

Change comes in many ways. A revolution requires different roles. Standing up for causes you believe in is important, embodying the change you want to see in the world.

It's up to each and every one of us to understand the impact we have and make a decision about who we want to be, both individually and collectively.