Artist Spotlight: Beabadoobee

Beabadoobee, otherwise known as Bea Kristi, was born in the Philippines and moved to London at an

early age. Although she didn’t begin making music until she was 17, it was clearly destiny, as her first

song “Coffee” was an instant hit. The song is a soft and dreamy ode to those special nights that make us

want to cuddle with our imaginary boos rather than accept the coldness of our empty twin beds. However,

she didn’t just end things there. Next, she released a cover of Karen O’s “The Moon Song,” resulting in

equal success. With anticipation building from her small yet dedicated fanbase, she started producing her

debut album, Patched Up, which was then released the following year in 2018. Armed with her

crystalline vocals and an acoustic guitar, Kristi delivered a soothing record about falling in love and

growing up. The song “If you want to” is a shining track, as its driving guitar melody and compelling

story of party romance creates and resurfaces the ~hazy~ memories of our freshman years (this is your

warning).

In just a one year span, Kristi greatly increased both her musical skills and artistry. So much so that she

released another record in 2019, titled Loveworm. As you press play, Kristi welcomes you in while

singing about losing the rush of love for her long-term boyfriend, Soren. Kristi traded in her original tone

for an electric vibe with the opening track “Disappear,” making it a song with a more punk-pop style

rather than her acoustic theme. In “Apple Cider,” Kristi tackles with the confusing feelings revolving

around love that surface at her young age. As listeners wrap up her short yet exceptional album, they

begin to part ways with Kristi and her story. She ends the album by singing freely about how important

Soren is to her, describing him as her home. The theme of Lovemore revolves around reconciling your

love for someone and doing anything to make it work, thus bringing a charming finale to an exceptional

album.

Beabadoobee is on a roll and cannot be stopped. Along with the delivery of her second album, Lovemore,

she released an exclusive ‘bedroom sessions’ tape, consisting of acoustic renditions of the entire record. If

that wasn’t enough, she continued on to release two singles at the end of August titled “She Plays Bass”

and “I Wish I Was Stephen Malkmus,” both manifesting the same energetic spark of punk influence as

was seen in Lovemore. In Kristi’s case, quantity and quality go hand and hand. Her current boyfriend,

Soren, has even directed several music videos for her, showcasing his own eye for aesthetics and

cinematography. This power couple exudes talent, and you can see this showcased in the video for “If you

want to,” (which is well worth the watch).

Kristi’s fashion sense also deserves its own special shout out. Ditching the traditional misogynistic pop

looks, she chooses to dress in vintage sweatshirts and baggy jeans instead. Kristi’s rising popularity

proves you no longer have to fit the ‘sexy and flirty’ archetype to find commercial success. From her

album covers to her personal aesthetic, she is unique in every way and isn’t afraid to show it.

Wondering when you can see this energetic pop queen in concert? Well, wonder no more! She’ll be

opening for Clairo at The Westcott Theater on November 8th. Tickets are pretty cheap and it’s located

right next door to Alto Cinco, so get some pre-concert margs and nachos while you’re at it.`