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Boy Pablo: "It was so much more fun to make a character come to life"

One of modern bedroom pop's early pioneers, Boy Pablo is carving out his own space with the help of alter-ego, and star of his debut album, Wachito Rico.

Unlike the grey and rainy skies of his hometown of Bergen, on Norway's west coast, boy pablo's music is bright and sunny, enveloping you like a tropical heatwave. Nicolas Muñoz dives into the world of lovelorn romance, peering in from the outside with his breezy pop.

When his third single 'Everytime' found its way out to the world by way of YouTube algorithm magic back in 2017, it thrust the spotlight his way. As the view count racked up, various EPs, all along a concurrent theme ('Soy Pablo', 'Roy Pablo') followed.

Now it's time for his debut, and instead of continuing this trend, it goes entirely left-field for a wholly immersive vibe. Muñoz takes on the role of the eponymous Wachito Rico (the translation from Chilean meaning 'Handsome Boy') - the protagonist of a romantic journey befitting the twee, charming nature of a Zooey Deschanel rom-com.

So, is it all written out, a la a Hollywood script, or is it more of a see what happens on the day, then?

Citing their movie playlist as featuring Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre, and Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket; those quirky and naive vulnerabilities echo through the concurrent storyline of Wichito Rico, both visually and audibly, along with that defiant glow of smiling through the storm.

Positivity is a key player in the world of boy pablo. Given he was still a young man back when 'Everytime' hit it big, the rush of the last few years has given Muñoz a chance to adapt while keeping his head above water. " how to cope… I mean, I haven't learned everything about it, but I'm better at coping with stress and better at preparing myself for stressful periods.

Muñoz reckons keeping that positive swell in both his music and his life "has a lot to do with the people that are around me," he says.

"I don't see myself as a super positive, super happy guy, but I really enjoy when people are good to each other," he says. "When you can focus on being good and positive, instead of bringing yourself down and get depressed on your own. I went through a phase in my teenage years where I was really sad all the time, and I didn't like that. So I guess maybe it's a reaction to that?

Although he's been growing and learning in the vast open space Boy Pablo now resides in, Muñoz's world on a lower level has certainly grown. His label, 777 Music, and management have all become a close-knit family - so much so that fellow wistful-playful lamenting labelmate Judah Just Kidding not only plays a character in the video for 'Hey Girl' but his first single, 'All My Life', is a direct continuation of the video, picking up where his character is left behind by Wachito Rico.

Even Netflix-smash Tiger King is involved in Boy Pablo's world now. The oh-so recognisable nasal sneer of Rick Kirkham having narrated two of the music videos for 'Wachito Rico' ('Hey Girl', and its follow-up 'Honey'). After escaping those wilds of America for the vistas of Norway, "we contacted him, and he was like, 'Yeah, I'll do anything that's not Tiger King!' Basically, it was a really spontaneous thing, but funny too," Muñoz says.

Giving back is what Muñoz wants to do, to offer that same inspiration that came to him in the hopes of offering another burgeoning youngster, be it half-way around the world, or a Bergen local, the same breakthrough sunlight that came to him. Knowing that he's been given a chance most never get, and all through the luck of an algorithmic draw (and the upbeat, boppy tunes, mind you) taking his global success and making it about the home around him is another part of the Boy Pablo charm.

A lot of Muñoz's inspiration also comes from his local scene under those grey Bergen skies. "People are always super surprised that is so happy because it rains all the time over here," he chortles.

"I looked up to this artist called Sondre Lerche, and this band called Young Dreams, basically my two main influences from Norway, and I hope to be an inspiration to people that are trying to make it, and music as well.

Taken from the November issue of Dork. Boy Pablo's debut album 'Wachito Rico' is out now.

Words: Steven Loftin

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