Yuuf on Exploring Cities on Tour, Recording in the Woods, & Frozen Yogurt
Yuuf is a London-based instrumental quartet with members originating from Switzerland, Denmark, France, and England. They have released music on Ninja Tune and Technicolour, blending diverse musical tastes to create their distinctive sound.
The band’s live performance of their EP, In The Sun, filmed and recorded in Surrey Hills, gained significant attention. They expressed a desire to bring portable recording equipment on tour, aiming to produce sessions in various locations—homes, natural settings, and parking lots—rather than traditional studios. This approach is intended to capture the unique sonic qualities of different environments and foster a more relaxed recording experience.
Yuuf released two EPs last year, Alma’s Cove and Mt. Sava. The band explained that these EPs were conceived as companion pieces, representing distinct yet interconnected worlds. They were written simultaneously, but the resulting music felt representative of different landscapes, and the band wanted listeners to experience each world individually. Alma’s Cove evokes a relaxed, tropical atmosphere, while Mt. Sava is described as a journey through a desert landscape.
The band’s music often feels poised for improvisation, yet remains meticulously structured. Songs are developed collaboratively, typically beginning with a groove, melody, or harmony that the group then expands upon. While improvisation is integral to the creative process, they focus on refining the elements they find most compelling.
The In The Sun live session was initiated by the band contacting director Tom Ewbank, a filmmaker whose work they admired. Ewbank secured the location, managed the video production, and oversaw planning for the session. Hugo Cottu handled the audio recording, bringing studio equipment to the location with assistance from Valentina Ahlmark. Despite potential challenges—such as generator noise—the recording was successful, aided by favorable weather conditions and a strong performance. Cottu noted he mixed the recording quickly using AirPods, finding the lack of pressure beneficial.
The band members cited a range of influences. Andrin Haag mentioned Kabeção for handpan playing and Manu Delago for percussion composition. Anthony Boatright drew inspiration from Soul, Motown, Afrobeat, Dub, Rock, and Ambient music, specifically naming artists like Joseph Lucky Scott, Willie Weeks, Fela Kuti, Ebo Taylor, Yo La Tengo, Jack Lawrence, Mishka Stein, and Hiroshi Yoshimura. Hugo Cottu was inspired by Spanish classical and flamenco music, including Francisco Tarrega, Isaac Albeniz, Paco de Lucia, as well as African artists like Franco, Ebo Taylor, Ali Farka Toure, and Hailu Mergia, and Japanese composers like Haruomi Hosono. Oli Overgaard cited La Lom, Ay Say, and Cochemea as inspiring performers.
When discussing live performance challenges, Andrin Haag noted difficulties with transitions between songs, while Anthony Boatright mentioned technical issues with a delay pedal during performances of “Moon Dive”. The band’s approach to touring and recording is particularly relevant in the current music landscape, as Spotify eyes AI derivatives as a new revenue stream for artists.
Yuuf’s blending of diverse musical tastes and their commitment to capturing unique sonic environments aligns with the broader trends in the music industry, as seen in the top 5 creator economy AI trends in 2025.
