The talented producer, singer, and songwriter Bolis Pupul has warmed the hearts of his fans by announcing the release of his highly anticipated debut album, « Letter To Yu, » scheduled for March 8th. Fresh from an extraordinary worldwide tour with Charlotte Adigéry, with whom he collaborated on the acclaimed album « Topical Dancer, » Bolis Pupul promises an even more intimate and moving musical experience with this new project.

The album, crafted in collaboration with the renowned Soulwax and distributed through their prestigious DEEWEE label via Because Music, emerges as an emotional and deeply personal tribute. « Letter To Yu » is a love anthem dedicated to Bolis’s mother, who passed away in a road accident in 2008. Through music, Bolis explores his roots, bridging his Belgian side with his Chinese heritage, rediscovering a connection he had overlooked for too long.

The narrative of this album is infused with emotions and a journey of personal rediscovery for Bolis Pupul. Born to a Belgian father and a Chinese mother from Hong Kong, Bolis grew up in Ghent, Belgium, keeping his Chinese roots alive but never fully embracing them. The tragic loss of his mother in 2008 marked a turning point, propelling Bolis to reconnect with his cultural heritage. He embarked on evening courses to learn Chinese, a journey that shaped his identity and now tangibly reflects in « Letter To Yu. »

The album’s first single, « Completely Half, » is a captivating sensory journey constructed from audio recordings captured in the depths of Hong Kong’s subway. The video, curated by the talented photographer Magnum Bieke Depoorter, follows Bolis as he explores the streets and alleys of Hong Kong, seeking memories of his mother. An engaging visual and auditory experience that foreshadows the emotional intensity of the entire album. With the approaching release of « Letter To Yu, » Bolis Pupul is gearing up to share a piece of work that goes beyond music—a journey intertwining past and present in a warm embrace.

To mark the announcement of Bolis Pupul’s upcoming album release, revisit the exclusive interview the singer gave to Crash 96.

@becausemusic
@bolispupul

Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul: a duo born from an intense chemistry. Inseparable since their first meeting in the studio, the two artists from Ghent, Belgium have steadily created an electronic sound that conveys powerful messages in an offbeat tone. After their first two EPs Charlotte Adigéry and Zandoli, they are back with their first album Topical Dancer, a project that showcases both of their personalities. They spoke to us about their strong friendship and how they ended up creating such unique music together…

 ATS: You met while making a movie for the electronic group Soulwax. How did you end up becoming a music duo? What sparked the relationship you have today?

CA: Bolis knew Stephen and David Dewaele from Soulwax and had already produced two EPs for their label Deewee. After shooting the movie, they invited me to make some music with them in their studio, which was a huge honor for me. I said yes, of course, but I was intimidated by the situation. That’s when Stephen and David suggested I work with Bolis, who I already knew a little bit because we’re from the same city of Ghent. We both accepted because we trusted their judgment. Soulwax went on tour in Japan and the brothers left us their studio. That’s how we started making music together. We felt comfortable together right away. Bolis is incredibly kind and he helped motivate me. We became fast friends on the same wavelength in terms of our ideas and creativity.

ATS: Bolis, Charlotte describes you as a kind person. What did you think of her when you first met?

BP: I felt the same way! Even though we didn’t know each other well, we were able to make music with no other ambition than making sounds we liked. We were innocent in a way. I like that kind of naïveté, because it’s a feeling that’s hard to replicate. We did what he had to do without overthinking it, which led to an EP in four or five days and an album two months later. Things came together quickly for us. We went back to the studio to make a second EP, which we were able to perform live and feel all the excitement of the crowd.

ATS: What were your first experiences with music?

BP: My parents loved music and we listened to it all the time. Not necessarily the stuff on the radio, but usually more weird, alternative music from America… All that music is in my DNA now. With Charlotte, our music is different but I think it’s interesting to mix both worlds.

CA: Music was always a big part of my family. My mother sings all the time and my grandmother used to sing, too. It’s almost like our own way of communicating. Music is naturally a big part of my life since I’m from the Caribbean. It’s also a way for me to live in the present moment. I grew up with soul, jazz and zouk, but my mom listened to everything so I’m open to all sorts of music. My passion for electronic music came much later. I heard techno for the first time when I was five and it scared me. It was like hearing a computer talk. 

ATS: Where did the idea for Topical Dancer come from?

CA: We got the idea after our first two EPs when we were talking with Stephen and David about writing our first album. We started with the idea of a time capsule that would tell a story. It grew out of a bunch of conversations we were having in the studio. We share a ton of thoughts and ideas.

ATS: Bolis, a lot of people think your duo consists of you as the composer and Charlotte as the singer. What is your actual process like?

BP: Journalists often ask me about the technical side of our music and ask Charlotte about our lyrics. But that’s not really how we work. We do everything together, whether it’s Charlotte or me playing guitar, pushing buttons or whatever. It’s hard to explain how we work because it’s not so black and white. There’s a lot of nuance.

ATS: Do you feel like you form a single musical entity together?


CA: Yes, I think so. I never could have made this music without Bolis, and vice versa.

ATS: You notably worked with director Bob Jeusette on your recent videos. How did you meet?

BP: Bob produced the Deewee Teevee show for Stephen and David. We also did a few scenes together. I remember feeling immediately at ease with him. He’s very open-minded and creative. It’s hard to find a good director, so we were lucky to find Bob. He has a marvelous ability to integrate our ideas into his imagery.

ATS: Your music is full of powerful messages, though they are delivered in a way that doesn’t sound too serious. I’m thinking especially of “Blenda”, which opens with the memorable phrase: “Go back to your country where you belong, Siri can you tell me where I belong?”. Does expressing yourselves in this way help keep things from feeling too heavy?

CA: Yes! We share our struggles and we want things to change. It’s a way to channel an energy that starts out as rage. We add humor so we don’t come off as bitter. I think humor is wonderful. We can make fun of everything and never take anything seriously. It’s important for us not to become moralists. We try to find a balance in everything. Humor is also a big part of Bolis’ family. It’s something that ties us together.

ATS: Going back to the phrase: “Go back to your country where you belong”, have you ever experienced a situation where you feel like you don’t belong?

CA: I was crossing the street one time and a man who didn’t want to let me go said, “Go back to your country!” I’ve experienced a lot of aggression like that.

BP: I remember one time when a pretty hostile man got out of his car and said something like, “dirty Chinaman, go back to your country!” Racism is still very prevalent in Belgium. With “Blenda”, we wanted to let out all those negative things. Humor is like a medicine that helps us to survive and leave certain things in the past. If we can no longer laugh at things like that, we become bitter like Charlotte said.

ATS: Even though your music conveys some powerful social messages, it doesn’t necessarily feel political. If your music had a specific goal, what would it be?

BP: I think it’s an invitation to have a conversation with Charlotte and me.

CA: I agree with Bolis, and if our music speaks to people, that’s great. For example, having the opportunity to talk to you about these things is already a wonderful thing for me. It’s also a way to talk about what it’s like to be Black or Asian in Belgium.

ATS: Charlotte, you recently became a mother. Has that had any impact on the way you think about things, especially in terms of music?

CA: I remember I got pregnant the day Bolis and I signed our recording contract. At first, I was scared people would see me as the cliché pregnant woman who is forced to end her career. Ultimately, I realized that most people don’t think that way, so I told myself it would be possible to combine the two, even though it would be hard. I’m still exhausted today. It’s important for women to realize that it’s possible and that you don’t have to apologize for being a mother. You have to create your own reality. We’re leaving on tour soon and it will be a “baby-friendly tour”. I think becoming a parent makes you even more ambitious. I want to give my child a good life and be a fulfilled mother.

ATS: Bolis, have you noticed any changes in Charlotte since becoming a mother?

BP: Charlotte asked me a similar question yesterday. I think Charlotte is still the same person. Of course, there are some changes because there is a baby who decides in a way when Charlotte can do interviews or eat, but it hasn’t changed anything about her personality.

ATS: Knowing all the difficulties that come with being an artist, would you recommend this kind of life to your children?

CA: They can do whatever they like, whether that’s a postal worker or lawyer, as long as they feel free and in harmony with themselves. They can be whatever they want, except a politician. (laughs)

BP: If I have a child and they want to be an artist, I will always support them, while explaining that it’s not easy. The important thing is to love what you do, otherwise it’s hard to make it as an artist.