ØTTA
DJ | Producer | Promoter
ØTTA is a London-based Portuguese producer, DJ and co-founder of the collective and event series Orpheus along with P RISCO, Metaraph & Olha Korovina. The party follows a certain aesthetic - hard and distorted techno accompanied by high-energy performance acts. Their bookings focus on emerging talent including [KRTM], YÅ and Kaylah and collaborations with other platforms like Demain Kollectiv. Each event has a sense of community and an air of encouragement to stay out for the long haul, something that’s off the cards for now but will hopefully return further down the line.
ØTTA’s own sound echoes what Orpheus is all about. Hard-as-nails techno, some gabber and ravey classics have appeared in ØTTA’s sets, it’s a surprise she hasn’t done a Hard Dance Boiler Room yet. Her recent podcast for Possession is an unforgiving blend of fast, punchy, hardcore curveballs, some of which are her own and are in the pipeline for a release later in the year.
The below image was captured at one of her last gigs in Bordeaux, France before the Pandemic properly took over and ØTTA’s explains why this one resonates with her…
Where was this photo taken and why did you pick it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This was taken this year on 14th of February when I was playing at Hangar FL with Demain Kollectiv. It was such a great night, it was Valentine’s night and they decided to do this ‘all-girls line-up’ - it was me, my dear friend Lilith, U.r.trax, Katia Val and 1312. This picture reminds me of how women together can be so powerful, all the sets were great and the energy was unforgettable.
I can say that I remember this was around 15/20 min of my set and it was a fast-paced industrial techno mood.
What are you listening to at the moment if you’re working from home or if you’re still working out in the world, do you have a soundtrack to accompany your journey?
I listen to different types of music all the time, it depends on my mood when I wake up. Yesterday I woke up and listened to Samba, today I woke up and listened to a new vinyl a friend of mine offered me by Shlømo.
At the moment I have been made redundant like half of the UK and my gigs are all cancelled until further notice. Also, the events we had planned and scheduled for Oрфей [orpheus] are being postponed, so the coronavirus outbreak really affected me. However, I believe that for now, we all need to stay at home, stay safe and try to do our best to keep it up: make music, try new instruments, cook, exercise, read, watch good documentaries or movies, explore new things, be creative!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, do you have a go-to track or style of music that significantly lifts your spirits?
Instead of a go-to track, I love track research as it keeps my mind out of negativism. There’s nothing that lifts my spirits better than finding new bangers and unknown artists!
How do you intend on celebrating once we’re out the other side?
I can’t even put that in words! I honestly have no idea where to start, but I am sure that one thing good about the current situation is that we are all together in this and once we are all out, we gonna rave together like we never did before. After this, I will never take my freedom for granted ever again.
Any tips on how to look after your mind and body during this slightly stressful time?
I believe that in these difficult times we really need to take care of others and ourselves and keep our minds busy. Having a plan for each day helps me a lot.
Since the lockdown began my mornings are doing exercise and spending time with my dog. After lunch, I gladly have my studio at home and it’s where I am spending most of my time preparing new tracks, edits and podcasts. In the evening, we have the cinema at home as we bought a projector so every night at 10pm, we watch different things every day. For example on four four magazine there is an article with 13 electronic music documentaries to watch free during the lockdown.
Listen to ØTTA’s podcast for Demain Kollectiv on Ola Radio here and follow her below: