Casper The Ghost & Jutes
Talk Creative Process, NFTs,
And All Things “BAD”
By Karley Kofman
Pop punk is not dead! The genre has resurfaced the mainstream and Swedish artists, Casper The Ghosts, and Canadian artist, Jutes, have collaborated to merge their similar yet different sounds to create their new single, “BAD.” Taking inspiration from early 2000’s classics like Blink 182, Kenny Hoopla, and Travis Barker, “BAD” creates a sense of nostalgia featuring heavy drums infused with an upbeat tone and melancholic vocals. Both musicians share similar musical upbringings from kick-starting their careers in rap and later branching into alternative rock. The production team, Hillbom, and Grammy-awarded Shaan Singh helped fabricate an energetic and massive sound that captures the artist's new style. We are honored to have had the opportunity to connect with the musicians to learn more about their backgrounds and of course, their new single!
Hey Jutes and Casper the Ghost! Thank you so much for speaking with us today. You guys have a new single out called "Bad." Could you tell us about that?
CTG: Yes, we’ve been working on this song for a little bit over a year, writing, re-writing, and producing the song. Towards the end of the summer, Jutes hopped on it and we were very excited about that.
How did you guys meet and what is your collaborative process like?
CTG: Well, me (Casper) and Hillbom are cousins so we met the day after I was born in the hospital haha. Our collaborative process varies. Usually, it starts with Hillbom making something genius and me singing over it. Then we have a song. Our first contact with Jutes was him sending over the verse and we were stoked!
Jutes, a new accomplishment has been added to your roster, NFTs. Can you walk us through how NFTs are helping artists and how this will benefit you?
Jutes: NFTs are changing the game. They’re giving artists a new form of revenue while simultaneously building a stronger community. I’ve been ready for an NFT world for a long time seeing as how I draw and make all my own cover arts.
How do you, Jutes and Casper the Ghost, believe NFTs will shift the music industry?
Jutes: An artist can sell an NFT, then use that money to then market the song. As an independent artist, it creates a budget to make and push music that didn’t exist before.
Casper the Ghost, could you walk us through how your band formed?
CTG: We’ve always done everything together. Whether it was skiing, skating, filmmaking, and now music. Hillbom started making music in 2009, but I kind of fell into it a few years later.
Can you describe the music scene in Sweden compared to the United States? What is it like playing shows in Europe compared to the states?
CTG: To be honest, we don’t keep our eye that much on the Swedish music scene since it’s mostly Swedish pop or hip hop. The biggest difference in my (Casper) opinion is that in America it feels like people try to be different and in Sweden, everyone is basically the same.
Jutes, you are originally from Toronto but moved to L.A. What are the main differences between the two music scenes, and do you prefer one over the other?
Jutes: I’m actually from Ottawa but moved to Toronto after High School. The scene in Toronto is booming but it is a lot more hip hop-focused. This is why when I lived there I made moody hip hop/R&B music. Once I moved to LA I started exploring rock and other genres. I think I fit in better in LA but I love Toronto and love seeing the world finally noticing what’s going on up there.
Both of you describe your music as a fusion of different genres. What unlikely artists inspire your sound?
Jutes: When I was a kid I loved Ludacris because he was so expressive and had his own distinct sound. My music sounds nothing like him but he had a huge effect on me.
CTG: We both love Skrillex and have for a long time! We both also grew up listening to a lot of Wu-Tang Clan, and other New York artists from that era.
How has your music shifted from when you guys first started out to now?
Jutes: Started out just rapping because I couldn’t sing, and over time taught myself to sing. And now I barely rap.
CTG: Pretty much the same as Jutes, started out making hip hop, then slowly transitioned into what we do now!
Jutes, your Dad was a drummer in a rock band growing up. What influence did that have on your music?
Jutes: I grew up on a lot of heavy metal music. Motley Crue, Def Leppard etc. It definitely made me instinctively gravitate towards the rock genre.
You stated you started making music in your college dorm room. What advice would you give to yourself at that time?
Jutes: I’d say buckle up cowboy, you’re in for a bumpy ride. Be confident and fearless– people’s opinions are going to change, they laugh now but they’ll circle back.
What is something y’all want the public to know about you that they don't already know?
Jutes: I think poutine is nature’s perfect food.
CTG: We both eat our fries before the burger.
What song of yours is the most sentimental?
CTG: I don’t know really, they all have their special place, but “BAD” is one of our favorites.
Lastly, on Instagram, Jutes, you stated you just got your driver's license. For all of you, where is the first place you are driving and who are you picking up?
Jutes: Between you and I, I’ve been driving the whole time. But probably a big Taco Bell run with the boys.