Tightly Clung to Bochek!: PVD’s Bochek gets ready to release second full-length album

With a mix of unusual beats, improvisational sounds and engaging lyrics such as, “I was beaming about you, I’ve been healing without you” and “devoted to makin’ mental health my first responsibility,” Bochek’s songs take listeners on a journey. They invite us to join them on their path towards vulnerability and revelry, all while inevitably making us dance! 

On August 5, the world will be introduced to their second full-length album, Tightly Clung to Love. Co-released by Dollhouse Lightning and SELF LUV, this record is, as described by the PVD-based band: “An emotional dive that will leave you feeling uplifted” (indeed!). Want to find out more about them and their bows? Read on, reveler, read on.  

Mayté Antelo-Ovando (Motif) : How did Bochek come to be? Care to share the meaning of the name? 

Nevin Kosinski (Bochek): We got started in 2012, at the Tiverton Middle School talent show- with founding members Dante Krystman, Nevin Kosinski, John Bonoan and Zack Davey. We performed an amazing rendition of a Ben Folds Five song called “Underground.”  Dante coined the term “Bochek,” which stems from our live show attire at the time. In the 8th grade, we were known for wearing suits adorned with bow ties and often gave each other “bow checks.”

MAO: I love that! Definitely not what I was expecting. So, what does everyone play in this band? I know you all play 5000 instruments in your various projects, but for Bochek- what’s the line up?

NK:

Dante Krystman- Bass

Noah Mangelson- Drums

Nevin Kosinski- Vocals

John Bonoan- Guitar

Joe Rebelo (new addition)- Keys

MAO: To get to know you even more, what’s everyone’s favorite dance move and favorite color? 

Bochek: 

Dante-put your legs together, lock your knees stiff, throw your arms above your head and let those puppies flail. Favorite color pink!

Noah- the two step! Favorite color black!

Nevin- the worm. Favorite color seafoam green.

John- a cool little one foot hop and leg bounce my former manager Kota taught me. No color preference. 

MAO: Speaking of dance moves and your music- tell me about the rhythmic choices- they seem very deliberate. How do you make them?

NK: The rhythmic choices we make mostly come from our improvisational jams, the jam sessions we have are how we write our songs most of the time. Rhythmically and melodically we inspire one another in real time during the songwriting process. A lot of the rhythmic decisions are made and dictated by Noah who draws a lot from Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, American Jazz and West African rhythms and musical traditions, among others. Our live show is heavily dependent on improvisation in many ways, changing up melodies, rhythms and song structures on the fly.

MAO: That improvisational feeling comes through so clearly in your new album. Upon first listen I wrote in my notes: reggae, cha-cha-cha, clapping beats, jazz and rock- ALL IN ONE ALBUM. What do you want people to experience through this new release?

Noah– Ultimately, I want people to feel the way that I feel when I find something that I really love or have some sort of strong connection to… of course, there are a lot of themes and ideas on this record that we were aware of when creating it, but I can’t say there’s something specific I want people to [experience] other than a feeling.

Nevin– I hope that it helps whoever listens to it, whether that’s in the form of confronting inner turmoil, self-love or just feeling a sense of comfort and warmth.

Dante– I really want people to feel like they can connect and relate to the words Nevin is singing about. By the end, I expect tears of self-reflection and dance moves to be busted out in glorious fashion!

John – I want people to [experience] a comforting warm feeling when listening to the album- not just about the music, but about themselves!

MAO: Anything else you’d like to share? 

NK: We are so proud of this album we’ve created. It was a long journey through the pandemic, but we’re almost here at the release. Huge thanks to Andrew Jackson for the artwork and photos on the album.

Bochek’s music video for their first single “Beamin” embodies the consistent message of Tightly Clung to Love; being vulnerable and sharing experiences allows for healing and joy, and when a band does it in songs that are vocally and rhythmically unexpected, it just feels so much better. Your ears and heart will never get bored when listening to their new album, I promise!  

Get their new music on Bandcamp: 

https://officialbochek.bandcamp.com/album/tightly-clung-to-loveFollow them on Instagram @officialbochek and dance to their new video: https://youtu.be/ZrmLpn9BVdU