Communication sophomore Lucas Oktay is no stranger to the music world. 

“When I was born, I was probably singing,” Oktay said. 

After starting a band with his friends in middle school, Oktay knew he wanted to be a part of a band at Northwestern, too. So, indie rock band Blue Boy was formed, featuring Oktay as singer and guitarist, Communication sophomore Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta as singer and guitarist, Bienen sophomore Daniel Zitomer as drummer and Bienen and Weinberg junior Austin Aldrich as bassist.

Though the four-man band began last Winter Quarter, Oktay said he is excited for the group to get back on the music scene. Ahead of his upcoming performance on Notes from the Newsroom, The Daily sat down with the singer and guitarist to talk about his start in music and songwriting inspirations.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

The Daily: How did you start playing the guitar?

Oktay: I started learning guitar when I was very young, 8 years old. My brother wanted to learn drums, so I had to be different. 

The Daily: Why the band name “Blue Boy”?

Oktay: Well, because we like the way it sounds. There’s not really any philosophical meaning behind it, but there’s a Mac DeMarco song called “Blue Boy” that is really awesome. “Toast Romance” is another (band name) that came to mind that we liked. But (Ortiz-Villacorta) didn’t, so it was out.

The Daily: What does your songwriting process look like?

Oktay: It usually starts on guitar. It usually starts with a chord progression or some kind of riff. I will just play it over and over again and sing random stuff until I sing something that I like. 

The Daily: Who’s your biggest music inspiration?

Oktay: Probably Hozier. I love the warmth in his songs, and it’s not just his vocal quality. His lyrics and his melodies are so warm and inviting. Even in songs like “Cherry Wine,” for example — it is totally horrible and sad and depressing, but it’s still somehow so soft and fragile.

The Daily: What are Blue Boy’s goals?

Oktay: I don’t know if we have any big goals or aspirations. Basically, we’re all friends that hang out all the time. And then wherever we find some fun gig to do, we’re like, “Oh, we need to be a band,” and then we get together and rehearse a bunch and prepare and play. We just enjoy having fun together and making music.

The Daily: Describe your sound in three words.

Oktay: Inviting. Party. Love.

The Daily: If Blue Boy was a food, what food would it be?

Oktay: Honestly, Pop Rocks because you don’t really see it coming. It’s a party. 

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @llilysshen

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