karlo bromsen’s “Parlin Papito” Turns Family Creativity Into Indie Pop
Punk Head: Papito began as a drawing by your son. At what point did you realise, “This little character deserves his own song”?
karlo bromsen: Papito really started with my son Willi’s drawings and a small animation he made. I immediately felt there was something very special about this little character — funny, strange, fragile and full of personality. At first it was just a playful idea, but then it slowly started to grow into something bigger. One of those very early scenes, with the two guys at the traffic light, even made it into the official music video.
Punk Head: The release feels like part indie-pop single, part cartoon pilot. Which idea came first, the music or Papito’s world?
karlo bromsen: Papito came first. Then the song followed, and after that the world around him kept expanding almost by itself. Suddenly there were all these odd characters — Bumpo, Pitu, Walo — and they all started having their own little adventures and strange situations, especially on our TikTok channel. It feels less like something we planned from the beginning and more like a universe that keeps opening new doors. We are even thinking about turning it into a hardcover comic at some point.
Punk Head: Why did this project feel like the right moment to step outside Bromsen and release music under your own name?
karlo bromsen: It actually happened quite naturally. Bromsen needed a little creative breather, so I started working on a few ideas on my own without too much pressure. Then Papito appeared, and the whole thing took on a life of its own. It didn’t feel like a strategic solo move at first — more like following a spark and seeing where it could lead.
Punk Head: Bees seem to have an important place in Papito’s universe. What’s the story behind that obsession?
karlo bromsen: Willi and I have always had a real soft spot for bumblebees. There is something beautiful and slightly absurd about them. They look like they should not be able to fly, but somehow they do. I love that idea — this tiny creature that seems physically impossible, but still just gets on with it. That fits Papito’s world quite well: small, strange, vulnerable, but full of life.
Punk Head: The project arrives at a time when many artists are chasing slick visuals and algorithm-friendly branding. Your world feels intentionally handmade and imperfect. Was that an artistic statement or simply the most honest way to tell this story?
karlo bromsen: I think it is both, in a way. The handmade and imperfect quality gives the project a special charm, but it also feels like the most honest way to tell this story. We didn’t want to overthink everything or polish the life out of it. The rough edges allow the ideas to flow more freely. It feels more natural, more playful and more human. For a world like Papito’s, that kind of imperfection is not a weakness — it is part of the heart of it.
