🎥 Facefist official video - www.nowness.com/story/be-yokai-facefist

Be Yōkai is a new collaborative project from techno duo Minilogue’s Sebastian Mullaert, fellow Swedish producer Douglas Holmquist, and animator Kristofer Ström.

Buy 12” EP
www.juno.co.uk/products/be-yokai…cefist/629693-01/
www.deejay.de/Be_Yokai_Facefist_…M006_Vinyl__247090

Buy Digital EP
www.beatport.com/release/facefist/1874913
itunes.apple.com/gb/album/facefist-ep/id1161677231

Streaming
open.spotify.com/album/2ra95bbL00y3HBAz2dy360

Art flourishes when the freedom, flow and creativity intersect. Often a direct response to resistance, art transcends borders and the physical to allow transmission of the soul; emotion and consciousness. Be Yōkai, a collaborative project between three artists, represents these core values uniting music with art and the moving picture. At the convergent point between these three disciplines we find Be Yōkai, driven by rhythm and vibration, while delivering progressive, transcendent visual stimulation.

In this free zone they flourish, as their art flows out of them without a hint of resistance. It’s the kind of freedom that many artists strive to achieve with no pressure, no deadlines and no strict briefs to uphold. The notion of trust, encouragement, confidence in one’s approach is what we find with Be Yōkai. All three men have known each other for over a decade, and worked closely together during that time on several occasions. This foundation keeps their relationship strong and provides a comfortable layer upon which they are building an intriguing project.

Sebastian Mullaert, Douglas Holmquist and illustrator/animator Kristofer Ström are the three creative wonders who stand behind Be Yōkai. Each member of the trio has a longstanding relationship with their particular skill, as well as each other.

Sebastian’s musical endeavours have taken him around the world, both as a solo practioner and in the duo known as Minilogue, among other projects. Douglas an accomplished composer for film animations, advertisements and video games, as well as making club music. Kristofer, a world-renowned illustrator and animation specialist, who is also adept when it comes to making music.

From the very beginning, the group have worked in an unplanned, natural, organic way, exchanging music and visuals with each member contributing to the progress of each track and accompanying video. It’s a project that acts as its own catalyst, as the three artists contribute their respective talents to the final product, bit by bit, without having a defined goal or target.

In this way they allow for a smooth flow in their production process, which is crucial to their ideals. This is not a ‘hit-making machine’, nor is it a project that has any pre-conceived ambitions towards “success”. All three men agree that Be Yōkai represents an organic, intermittent working process that is not bound by the constraints of future pressures. With Be Yōkai the three men have a space to inspire one another and to be liberated from target-based composition.

It is the only way they can operate, with three separate lives and careers, they have to consider the dynamic and unpredictable flow of life itself. Attempting to control this wild beast is futile, so they work on the project as and when possible. Eventually there is the hope of taking Be Yōkai to the stage, for a concert style performance with live instrumentation accompanied by Kristofer’s mind-boggling visuals. This is something all three artists agree on, but it’s not something they are desperate for. It will happen, all in good time, as everything will if you trust enough in the power of being…

Be Yokai Online:
www.facebook.com/BeYokaimusic/
twitter.com/be_yokai
www.instagram.com/beyokai/

Space Hardware Online:
www.facebook.com/spacehardwareuk/
@spacehardware
twitter.com/space_hardware

Be Yōkai - Facekissed [Space Hardware 2016]

Bookings:
alma@lb-agency.net
ralf@vdhaardt.com (Classical Ensemble Requests)

Management: niko@starling.works

Music and more:  https://linktr.ee/sebastianmullaert

When you listen to Sebastian Mullaert’s music you will feel something enchanting, a resonance that delivers truth, integrity and reminds us to simply be. The Swedish artist has a distinct approach to life, as well as music, which is centred around tranquillity, stillness and the convergence of Zen meditation, nature and creativity. Known for his work as one half of Minilogue, Sebastian is also an accomplished solo artist with new material ready to roll. As an artist that is constantly evolving he has taken a bold new direction in his sonic exploration, immersing himself in the neo-classical scene and joining forces with one of the top 10 philharmonic orchestras in the world - Tonhalle Zürich. Working with great care and innovation he has created a truly immersive audio-visual performance experience, combining a mesmerising integration of electronic and classical instrumentation, with a visual art installation based on breath taking nature landscapes shot from a helicopter perspective. With such an innovative approach he aims to bridge the gap between classical and electronic music and introduce a whole new generation to the neo-classical concept. 

Sebastian's deep connection with music can be traced back to his formative years; from playing the organ and violin as a child, to performing in orchestras, string quartets and pop band, progressing into electronic music in his late teens. Discovering house and techno in the mid-nineties was the catalyst behind a revolution in his life, he set out on a new musical pathway, to promote the simplicity of being. Throughout the late nineties he experimented with electronic sounds, forming cult duo Minilogue with a friend and releasing with Crosstown Rebels, Traum Schallplatten, Wagon Repair and more, plus two albums via Cocoon – ‘Animals’ (2008) and ‘Blomma’ (2013). In 2014, the duo decided to take a break and invest their time in solo projects and Sebastian has since been hard at work cultivating a collection of new music already snapped up by hugely influential labels such as R&S sub-label Apollo, Drumcode, Hypercolour and Minus.

Sebastian Mullaert’s live performances are awe-inspiring, combining technical wizardry with energy, atmosphere and euphoria, you only have to watch his “Interpretations” performance for XLR8R or Boiler Room appearance for examples of his prowess. Recognition of his aptitude has led him to perform at institutions and festivals such as Panorama Bar - Berlin, Labyrinth Festival - Japan, Fabric - London, Concrete - Paris, The Block - Tel Aviv and Blackmarket - NYC. 

Sebastian’s collaborative work runs parallel to his solo endeavours and he has teamed up with several figures in the techno world to produce some unforgettable releases. Collaborators include Mathew Jonson, Eitan Reiter, Aril Brikha and Ulf Eriksson, and releases have come via underground platforms such as Hypnus, Mule Musiq and Kontra Musik. He also produces under the alias Wa Wu We, offering a serene, understated take on the techno aesthetic. Furthermore he is involved in the new Be Yokai project, a trio formed of Sebastian, Douglas Holmquist and Kristoffer Ström. The three men formed a natural alliance, finding their flow after several sessions together. Their first EP is signed to Hypercolour sub-label Space Hardware, with a live show and more music in the pipeline.

Sebastian Mullaert is already established as a potent force in the world of electronic music. Serious about reminding people to BE on the dance floor, or in the comfort of their own home, the music he makes is deep, progressive and utterly unique. Whatever the future holds, you can be sure he will continue to channel the infinite energy that surrounds us into every facet of his life.