Historically, folk is the music of the people. In the 20th century, artists like Joan Baez and Pete Seeger made universal sounds for the soul. And at just 23 years old, Connecticut native Bodhi Kitt is following suit.
Kitt, whose stage name is BODHI, is a queer folk artist creating a unique electronic sound influenced by R&B, jazz, and hip-hop. Their upcoming album Missing Out will feature rock-inspired rhythms, alongside softer tracks like their recently released singles “Velvet Blues,” a hypnotic ballad about finding comfort even in life’s darkest moments, and “This Little Dove,” a introspective anthem that blends synths with acoustic strings and choral harmonies. These cathartic songs are typical for the artist, who tries to leave it all on the track. They’re excited to share these songs at the country music festival CMA Fest this weekend.
INTO spoke with BODHI over Zoom to discuss their life, their upcoming music, and carving out their place in the world of folk.
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Hi, Bodhi! What inspires the music you write?
The music that I write is the release of my emotions. Essentially, it’s all just like my journal. I go back in my journal and I write poems — if I’m ever having a really bad day, I just get it out. So when I’m writing songs, I like to just flip through the pages and see what is relating to me in that moment. Then I’ll turn that into a song. So I think for my music, it’s more of an introspective way to not feel so alone in your feelings. Maybe I could even help you process a feeling that you weren’t necessarily sure that you had, or weren’t necessarily sure on how to move past.
Absolutely. If you had to pick a genre for your music, where would you put it? I know you say folk, but there seems to be a lot of electronic influence in the stuff that you’re releasing.
Every time someone asks me that, I say, “I’m a singer-songwriter, but my music is like folk music with underlying tones and R&B and jazz, even sometimes hip-hop.”
Why do you think it’s so hard to put it under one genre?
I have so many influences from listening to music all this time. I just think it’s hard for me to put it in one because I’m just making the music to make it. I’m not really thinking about all this other stuff. It just has so many different elements from different genres that people don’t really know or what to categorize it as.
I know you recently released your single “Velvet Blues,” sharing a story about finding solace in your life despite hardships. Is there a specific moment in your life that inspired this song?
I guess there could be, but not necessarily. I’ve had two friendships of mine [that ended] because people just ended up not being who I thought they were. Little things you can let slide –- everybody’s their own being. But when it comes to doing things or saying things that targets a certain minority or whatnot, and I’m one of them, it’s just not okay, right? So that was one of the moments where I had written down some stuff. Like, “Who do you think I am?” Like, blah, blah, blah, blah. I have some of that stuff in my journal. So this whole project is just past trauma and stuff that I would like to let go of, and just get it out of my system. It’s just like I held onto feelings of not being worthy when I know I am. So, I guess, to answer your question, not one specific event, but there have been a few that relate to that.
“My music, it’s more of an introspective way to not feel so alone in your feelings. Maybe I could even help you process a feeling that you weren’t necessarily sure that you had.”
– BODHI
Growing up in Connecticut, you attended a predominantly white Christian private school. What was that experience like for you, and do you have advice for anyone out there in a similar situation?
Just find your community within that bigger community. There’s always going to be someone you can relate to; you just have to find them. So for me, the first four years I was at that school, I was the only Black kid in my grade. I was just relating to the other tomboys. I wanted to go play football and soccer at lunch — like, those are my people, right? I like music and liked to mess around with the little instruments that teachers kept in the classroom; like, those were my people.
But as I got older, more people came into the school. I ended up finding a group of people who I could really rely on and I could be myself with. But I think maybe an outlet is good to try and find something to put that energy into. Obviously, if you feel left out, it hurts. It’s like a bodily feeling to some. If you can put that into something good for yourself, and not let those other people really get into your head, I feel like that’s just the best way to go about doing you.
Is there a Black and/or queer changemaker that has inspired you or guided your own work?
I feel like the obvious answer is Tracy Chapman. Tracy’s work itself definitely has made an impact on my music.
What is a record that you can’t put down?
Right now? Observations From a Crowded Room by Joy Oladokun. It’s probably my favorite album as a whole.
Are there any Gen Z artists that you think people need to be paying more attention to?
Maybe Gigi Perez; she is great. I mean, I think that she has a lot of support right now, but I think that she could definitely have a lot more. Like, give her her flowers.
“I think it’s important that I am in this role that I’m in, because if I can get to where I want to be, I can be a very big inspiration to other people like me.”
– BODHI
You’re performing at CMA Fest on June 6. And as exciting as that is, I’m also kind of curious how you navigate being both Black and queer in such a traditionally cis, heterosexual, and white environment.
I mean, yeah, it’s my whole life, isn’t it? I grew up trying to navigate that whole world. So I guess now it’s kind of second nature. It does get uncomfortable at times. We would like to be around other people that look like you and understand you, but at the end of the day, it can’t always happen. I think it’s important that I am in this role that I’m in, because if I can get to where I want to be, I can be a very big inspiration to other people like me. I can let them know that whatever you’re going through, it’s not the end of the world. You will find people, and you will have your chance. It’s just not as easy as everybody else’s journey.
I want to get your opinion about representation in folk music. It’s no secret that Black people originated most music genres, including folk and country. So what is it like to be a part of that representation?
I think a part of my work is being that representation for people like myself, both Black and queer. It’s a weird feeling, because it’s like, you’re the odd man out. But it’s kind of rewarding at the same time, because all these other people technically have it easy in this lane, because that’s what they do, and that’s the people that listen to [country and folk]. That’s what they’re looking for. They’re looking for those people. They’re not looking for me, but the people that find me and still actually want to follow me and keep following — I think that’s a feat within itself. The fact that I even have as many, that’s huge and it’s something that I’m super proud of. I feel like even though I’m small, there’s still people you can influence every single day.
Yeah, absolutely. It feels like country music might be finally moving on from that post-9/11 patriotism that has defined the genre for the last 20 years or so. What do you think might be the future for country and folk music?
I mean, honestly, I would say the people reclaiming our genre.
“They’re not looking for me, but the people that find me and still actually want to follow me and keep following — I think that’s a feat within itself.”
– BODHI
While we’re speaking about the future, I’d love to speak a little bit about your future. What are your goals these days?
I would love to get in on someone’s tour. I love performing, so I do a lot of shows in the tristate area. But I would love to get on a tour and just see what the road feels like. I love writing music, I love recording it, but I’m having the most fun when I’m performing.
Earlier you spoke about community and finding solace in that when you’re feeling isolated with your identity. How does live music help grow community for you?
At the end of the day, there’s only so many people at the show. I’m going to take my time after and speak to everybody who would like to speak to me and get to know everybody. It’s just a natural thing to happen for people to find people to connect with at shows.
What can fans expect from you in the future? Any albums or live events to keep their eye out for?
Missing Out the album is coming this year. The date is TBD, but it will definitely be out this year. I’m really excited for the release of my emotions. The very beginning of the album is realizing that — “Wow, dude, you were so burnt out, it’s not even funny.” And then all the way to the bottom, it’s like, “Okay, well now you’ve let out all these emotions. What are you going to do about it?”
Finally, this series celebrates queer folks ages 25 and under, so what’s something that you love or appreciate about our generation?
I love that we’re not afraid to speak up for ourselves and defend ourselves, just not put up with things because we were told to. I do think that we are a groundbreaking generation, that we change things for the better. ♦
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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