Bechtolt was born in Astoria, Oregon and began playing music as a teenager, dropping out of high school to play drums in his brother's touring punk band. He started working with electronics in the late 1990s and began releasing solo records under the name YACHT in 2003. Nearly all of his recordings have been distributed by both Marriage Records and States Rights Records.
Claire Evans came of age playing in bands in the underground noise scene of Los Angeles, and was part of the Portland-based The World Court. She has presented her PowerPoint performances at MoMA PS1, The Kitchenand the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art and has collaborated with Bechtolt on literally hundreds of projects since they met in 2004.
In 2003, Bechtolt was commissioned to create a full length audio/visual electronic pop opera by the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA). He performed with his group The Badger King with bandmate Marianna Ritchie (a Wolf Colonel and Dear Nora alumnus who went on to record alone as Manta, and then Mantar).
In 2006, Bechtolt collaborated with Khaela Maricich as half of the pop group The Blow to release Paper Television. Bechtolt toured extensively with The Blow, providing beats and backup vocals until quitting the band in 2007 in order to focus on his work in YACHT.
In January 2006, Bechtolt was commissioned for two performances for the New York based art and technology platform Rhizome, as part of their "Crap-tops vs Laptops" show. In February 2006, he performed at the Museum of Modern Art's P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center and produced an hour-long internet radio program with Clear Cut Press; a Northwest-based publisher of new literary work.
In 2007, for the release party for YACHT's album I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real, Bechtolt performed a concert on an actual yacht on the Willamette River in Portland.
The 2009 release, See Mystery Lights, was the first to feature Claire Evans as a group member.
YACHT live performances include dancing as well as elaborate PowerPoint presentations. Bechtolt documents his professional and sometimes personal life via video, text, and images on his blog.
In 2010, YACHT expanded to include The Straight Gaze; a backing band of 2 additional members. Bobby Birdman plays bass guitar and sings backing vocals while Jeffrey Jerusalem plays drums. In this incarnation Bechtolt and Evans both play instruments.
Bechtolt is a co-founder of the Portland-based popular blogging web community Urban Honking as well as the producer, editor, cameraman and a writer of The Ultimate Blogger.
Both Bechtolt and Evans are vegans.
Sites: YouTube, SoundCloud, Discogs, Wikipedia, Twitter and www.teamYACHT.com
I'm In Love With A Ripper
Yacht Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's such a pity, checking my bruise
So lost and lonesome, I woke up before you
We move like lightning and put our fist to the wind
We've been so lucky; I'm always wondering
If this world is a dream or if this dream is a world
I'm in love with your brains, you are a genius
Well, I've been so lucky to even know you
Everything you touch turns to gold.
Well, I'm in love with a ripper
(I'm in love with a ripper)
I got told to marry a doctor
I'm in the jungle and I don't care (I don't care)
Because I'm ripping without a proctor
Just my heart and the find of air (find of air)
Don't fret about my own doctor
Just two kids in our underwear (underwear)
Or are we a fucking earthquake?
In our world, we are millionaires (zillionaires)
Everday is a future memory
And I have no fear of growing old (growing old)
In any case, I'm always listening
When you say, "We'll turn to gold."
Well, I'm in love with a ripper
(I'm in love with a ripper)
The lyrics of YACHT's song "I'm In Love With A Ripper" talk about the singer's relationship with their partner, whom they describe as a genius ("I'm in love with your brains, you are a genius") and someone who turns everything they touch into gold ("Everything you touch turns to gold"). They speak about how lucky they are to have them in their life, but also express a sense of loneliness and uncertainty, saying "So lost and lonesome, I woke up before you, We move like lightning and put our fist to the wind". They also question the reality of their situation, wondering if they are in a dream or if their world is a dream ("If this world is a dream or if this dream is a world"). Despite any doubts or fears, the singer is content in their relationship and finds comfort in the idea that they can turn anything into something valuable ("When you say, 'We'll turn to gold.'").
The use of the word "ripper" in the title and throughout the song is noteworthy. It can be interpreted in a few different ways; in the context of the song, it could refer to someone who is skilled at their craft (i.e. "ripping" through a task or project) or someone who can manipulate situations to their advantage. This idea is reinforced in the lyric "I'm ripping without a proctor", suggesting that the singer is capable of achieving things on their own without outside assistance or supervision. Another interesting linguistic choice in the song is the line "In our world, we are millionaires (zillionaires)". The use of "zillionaires" is a playful and exaggerated way to emphasize how successful and joyful the singer feels in their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've been so lucky it can be discouraging
I feel fortunate enough to discourage others.
It's such a pity, checking my bruise
It's unfortunate that I have to acknowledge my injury.
So lost and lonesome, I woke up before you
I feel aimless and lonely, and I woke up before you did.
We move like lightning and put our fist to the wind
We move quickly and recklessly, putting our fight in the face of adversity.
We've been so lucky; I'm always wondering
We've had a lot of good fortune, and it makes me curious about the nature of the world.
If this world is a dream or if this dream is a world
I question whether what we perceive as reality is actually a dream or vice versa.
I'm in love with your brains, you are a genius
I'm deeply attracted to your intelligence and consider you a genius.
And I don't say that about anyone
I'm not one to throw around compliments lightly.
Well, I've been so lucky to even know you
I feel incredibly fortunate to have even met you.
Everything you touch turns to gold.
Everything you're involved in turns out exceptionally well.
Well, I'm in love with a ripper
I'm in love with someone who tears things apart.
(I'm in love with a ripper)
I can't help but feel this way.
I got told to marry a doctor
People have advised me to marry someone who is financially stable.
I'm in the jungle and I don't care (I don't care)
I'm in a chaotic environment, but I'm not bothered by it.
Because I'm ripping without a proctor
I'm tearing things apart without any official guidance.
Just my heart and the find of air (find of air)
I'm following my heart and taking risks.
Don't fret about my own doctor
I'm not concerned about finding a financially stable partner.
Just two kids in our underwear (underwear)
We're carefree and having fun.
Or are we a fucking earthquake?
Are we making a significant impact on the world?
In our world, we are millionaires (zillionaires)
In our own little world, we feel rich beyond measure.
Everday is a future memory
Every day feels like a memory in the making.
And I have no fear of growing old (growing old)
I'm not afraid of aging.
In any case, I'm always listening
Regardless of what's going on, I'm always all ears.
When you say, "We'll turn to gold."
When you say that we'll succeed, I believe you wholeheartedly.
Well, I'm in love with a ripper
I'm in love with someone who tears things apart.
(I'm in love with a ripper)
I can't help but feel this way.
Contributed by Mateo J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.