by martina rexrode
photo by freddie stisted
If you think the name bôa sounds unfamiliar, go listen to their song “Duvet” and then come back to finish this article. Originally released as a single in 1998, “Duvet” became the favorite song of an entirely new generation through its shares online, specifically as an audio on TikTok around 2021. Before then, the band hadn’t created music together in over 20 years. Now, they’re back with three singles, each showing off a different side of their artistry, and are excited to reintroduce themselves to their fans from the late 90s and early 2000s while introducing themselves to those who found them through “Duvet.”
It feels necessary for me to start by congratulating you on your three latest singles and also to welcome you back to the music world! I’m sure you weren’t completely separated from music in the 20 years since your last release, but how does it feel to throw yourselves back into creating and putting out music after two decades?
Jasmine: “It feels great! It’s amazing that as soon as we were in the room together we immediately started writing. Also, when our label, Nettwerk, asked if we’d like to make new music, we leaped at the chance.”
Alex: “Feels like we haven't stopped, to be honest. We all love playing and we clicked straight away.”
Lee: “We just all fell back into it like it was yesterday. It was wonderful.”
In what ways were each of you tied to music while living out your lives since your hiatus?
Jasmine: “Music has been ever-present. During that time, I’ve been working as a solo artist, playing shows around the UK and releasing music. Alex has been writing music and painting. Lee worked on his own music and production.”
Alex: “I've taught guitar and bass guitar over the last 15 years, done a few musical bits, and been doing a fair bit of abstract painting, too.”
Lee: “I continued to write and record music by myself, my Father, and assorted musicians.”
Can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind “Worry,” your most recent single?
Jasmine: “Lyrically — sleepless nights, rage at things I can’t fix or save. I think it’s important to name uncomfortable emotions. Almost as a way to manage them, to hold them up and investigate what they signify, and then let them go.”
Alex: “The progression is fairly straightforward, but the chord voicings are unusual in the way they hang together giving it a slightly different edge. The guitar melody over the chorus was an interesting find melodically.”
Out of the three singles you’ve released this year, which is the standout to each of you and why?
Jasmine: “I really love them all! ‘Walk With Me’ was one of the later ones we wrote, and it’s a hopeful song, so it felt right to be the first one we released. ‘Beautiful & Broken’ is soothing and gentle, kind of an ode to silence, and that moment when you can’t sleep, ‘Worry’ is fierce and honest. Also, it would make an excellent Bond theme…”
Alex: “I like them all, but ‘Walk With Me’ is fun to play. I love Jasmine's hook melody and the way the song works overall.”
Lee: “All of them sound great to me, but each one has its own vibe and sound, each for different occasions.”
How has your sound evolved since you first formed in 1993?
Jasmine: “As there are fewer of us as songwriters, our sound is a lot more streamlined, maybe a little heavier. Also, we like to joke that the album is the product of breakups and breakdowns, but it’s kind of true! We’ve all lived a lot in the meantime, and it’s gone into the songs.”
Alex: “Yes, we probably approach things differently now that we're a three-piece. There are different spaces to operate in, but I think there's a continuation of our original sound there, too.”
Lee: “We naturally kept the sound we had before, but we have developed over time as musicians, which keeps it fresh and interesting.”
What was your reaction to “Duvet” gaining traction online, especially on TikTok? At what point did you recognize just how much global attention the song was receiving from new fans?
Jasmine: “I think we’re still amazed by it. It started in messages here and there… all instances of friends saying, ‘I heard your song the other day.’ ‘Duvet’ is one of my favorites — it’s a joy to sing — so I guess it was nice to have other people feel the same. It also still feels a little surreal, but we read as many of the messages that we receive as we can, and it’s huge to think that people get the emotion behind the song and share their own memories with us.”
Alex: “We were surprised and really happy people liked the song. When the labels started to contact us, we thought… oh okay, this is pretty crazy.”
Lee: “I kept getting emails from various companies asking about the song. Then my son showed me on TikTok, and that kinda did it for me. It was so surreal and still is.”
When “Duvet” started to blow up on TikTok, it was such a strange time for the music industry and creative industries as a whole. What do you remember about that time, and do you think the timing for “Duvet” going viral worked in your favor?
Jasmine: “We were coming out of lockdown properly then, I think. In a way, it just added to the craziness of that time. I think there was something magical about it going viral for us. We’ve had a very loyal and supportive audience for a long time, so it was surprising and delightful to know that it was/is growing and on a new platform as well.”
Alex: “As Jasmine says.”
Lee: “Yes, as above.”
Even with just these three singles, as well as your sold out North American fall tour, your future looks extremely bright. What are you most excited for?
Jasmine: “Touring! Playing all the songs, old and new, to audiences finally, after all these years, with an amazing band. We can’t tell you how excited we are to perform together again.”
Alex: “Yes, touring and playing live is what we love to do. We can't wait to get out there!”
Lee: “Playing live with the band to an appreciative audience is fun for me.”