“I look at the stars at night, and I wonder if there is a God, if we are alone in the universe?” 20-year-old French musical prodigy Yndi Ferreira, also known as Dream Koala, murmurs against an ethereal beat in “Saturn Boy.” With maturity beyond his years and a sensible set of ethics, the producer initially gained attention from underground music blogs at the age of 16, with his delicate track “We Can’t Be Friends.” Its instrumentals had SoundCloud nerds and Shoegaze purists simultaneously foaming at the mouth.
It is not only Yndi’s organic fusion of live, post-rock instrumentals and subtle IDM nuances that make his music so innovative. His introspective lyrics read like existential poetry, enhanced by his fragile, Sampha-esque vocals, making his sound feel almost otherworldly. It brings visceral landscapes to mind, and it's no coincidence he's also a talented visual artist (the above image and words are his). He dares you to contemplate the infinite possibilities of what may be beyond our universe, through thoughtful lyrical musings and multi-elemental production techniques. In addition to his own unique material, the beat-maker put his own spin on XXYYXX’s “About You,” Angel Haze’s “Working Girls,” and even managed to make Waka Flocka Flame’s aggressive track "Hard in Da Paint" sound gentle and evocative.
Today, we're premiering an exclusive live video for "Saturn Boy," showing the artist's hypnotizing stage presence and musical dexterity. Below, we discuss transcendent dreams, spiritual philosophies, and how he manifests his lush, multifaceted soundscapes.
AVA NIRUI: What is the story behind your name? Are there particular characteristics of Koalas you feel you identify with?
DREAM KOALA: I wanted the first word of my name to be Dream because I love anything that is related to alternate universes and also different states of mind, between the states of sleep and consciousness. I like the effect our imagination has on our minds in a state of sleep, and the possible dimensions in our dreams. It’s mysterious and at the same time very beautiful. I chose the second word Koala because I like to relate people to animals, as we are all just evolved animals. I chose Koala because they sleep and dream 20 hours a day, and I thought it worked well 'cause I'm also a big sleeper.
You have consistently been surrounded by different cultures, living in Paris, Berlin, and having Brazilian parents. How have these cultures impacted you?
I found that traveling, living in different places, and having parents that were Brazilian built me more as a person than as an artist. I think it's important to not be scared of new things or places. It has opened my mind to think of the world as one. Instead of being scared of what's different, I learned to understand it, embrace it, and become mentally enriched by it. Berlin did, however, open me to listen to electronic music, as everyone listens to techno and house.
Your lyrics in “Earth” and “Saturn Boy” touch on themes of existentialism, solitude, and spirituality. Where do y
It is not only Yndi’s organic fusion of live, post-rock instrumentals and subtle IDM nuances that make his music so innovative. His introspective lyrics read like existential poetry, enhanced by his fragile, Sampha-esque vocals, making his sound feel almost otherworldly. It brings visceral landscapes to mind, and it's no coincidence he's also a talented visual artist (the above image and words are his). He dares you to contemplate the infinite possibilities of what may be beyond our universe, through thoughtful lyrical musings and multi-elemental production techniques. In addition to his own unique material, the beat-maker put his own spin on XXYYXX’s “About You,” Angel Haze’s “Working Girls,” and even managed to make Waka Flocka Flame’s aggressive track "Hard in Da Paint" sound gentle and evocative.
Today, we're premiering an exclusive live video for "Saturn Boy," showing the artist's hypnotizing stage presence and musical dexterity. Below, we discuss transcendent dreams, spiritual philosophies, and how he manifests his lush, multifaceted soundscapes.
AVA NIRUI: What is the story behind your name? Are there particular characteristics of Koalas you feel you identify with?
DREAM KOALA: I wanted the first word of my name to be Dream because I love anything that is related to alternate universes and also different states of mind, between the states of sleep and consciousness. I like the effect our imagination has on our minds in a state of sleep, and the possible dimensions in our dreams. It’s mysterious and at the same time very beautiful. I chose the second word Koala because I like to relate people to animals, as we are all just evolved animals. I chose Koala because they sleep and dream 20 hours a day, and I thought it worked well 'cause I'm also a big sleeper.
You have consistently been surrounded by different cultures, living in Paris, Berlin, and having Brazilian parents. How have these cultures impacted you?
I found that traveling, living in different places, and having parents that were Brazilian built me more as a person than as an artist. I think it's important to not be scared of new things or places. It has opened my mind to think of the world as one. Instead of being scared of what's different, I learned to understand it, embrace it, and become mentally enriched by it. Berlin did, however, open me to listen to electronic music, as everyone listens to techno and house.
Your lyrics in “Earth” and “Saturn Boy” touch on themes of existentialism, solitude, and spirituality. Where do y