Back with a bang! New tune ‘Parachute’ one of the anthems of the summer
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Otto, welcome back to DMCWORLD dude, where in the world are you today?
“Hi Dan, I’m in Stockholm now at home before I go on a little trip this weekend to play some cool gigs in a few different countries!”
Massive news for you right now with the release of a sure fire summer anthem ‘Parachute’ which Danny Howard premiered on BBC Radio1 for you. Talk us through the sound of the track…
“I felt it was time to do something a bit different to what I’ve been doing before. I always try and do something that inspires me – and to not do the same thing over and over again. So I tried to do something harder that’s more of a club track. I’ve got this emotional feeling that I want to bring into the track in the breakdown. It’s a track that I like and a track I really wanted to have in my sets as well.”
Listen to the Danny Howard premiere on BBC Radio 1…http://bit.ly/1j1MCBC
You also have a really cool video for it, can you tell us a bit about the video and who’s behind it?
“It’s a company from Toronto, Canada that made it. They’ve made a couple of others. On a very tight schedule they came up with the idea and pulled it off very quickly. I’m super happy with the result. I’ve been hearing people telling me that they didn’t really think of the track the way that the video shows. So I’m kind of happy to make people think one extra time when they think of the song, that it’s about going to the sky and taking a couple of minutes to think about everything.”
I live in Ibiza and the night on everyone’s lips already is Departures, they announced their residency at Ushuaia with some beautiful projections onto one of the most beautiful places in the world…Es Vedra. You looking forward to your residency here – why is this venue so special?
“For me Ibiza has always been really special, since I went there before I started playing gigs. Now, to play with my friends in this beautiful venue that, for me, is the best venue on the island; maybe even the best club in the world. It has everything – the open air, people going nuts and it’s both a night and a day party. It’s got everything. I think the people that come are really educated; they really care about the music. I’m super happy to be part of Departures again this year again, I’m really looking forward to going. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the year for me.”
What are some of the reasons Ibiza remains the number one clubbing destination in the world?
“Because it is! I’m not sure why. People come from all over Europe to go there, and even now from The States, South America and Asia. It’s something really different, and people realise that when they go. There’s something really special about the whole island. You can’t really compare it to anything else. The music is the focus 100%, and I think all the clubs are really big, the big names are playing there for not so much money, its more of the experience to be there. For me it’s a must to go there once a year at least. It’s hard to explain, it’s a magical place basically!”
What is the current top 3 you are spinning?
1.Alesso – ‘Tear The Roof Up’ (unreleased)
It’s a banging club track, it’s different, you get a crazy reaction from the crowd when you play it – it’s a very danceable record.
2.Dansson & Marlon Hoffstadt – Shake That (Tom Staar Mix)
It’s a very energetic track, but at the same time very clubby, a track that I have been playing for a while and I really like it.
3.Junior Jack – Thrill me (NEW_ID remix)
I really like it; I play it in the clubs as well.
What is the record that…
…always reminds you of your childhood?
“It was not that long ago, but a track that always makes me look back is ‘TV Rock feat. Rudy – In the Air (Axwell Remix). That’s a track that always gets me nostalgic. Even though I was like 16 or 17, but let’s say that was my childhood.”
…will ALWAYS gets you dancing?
“It must be, ‘Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You’!”
…you wish you had made yourself?
“There are a lot of songs I would love to have been involved with. Let me say, ‘Michael Jackson – Beat it’.”
We were in the crowd in Paraguay in April…it’s unbelievable how South America keeps putting on the best events on the planet. Over the last 12 months, where have some of the most eye opening and new locations you have smashed?
“Asia definitely has something going on over there. Every country that you come to, that you didn’t really expect much of, is mind-blowing. I was in Ecuador and Uruguay – and that was super cool to see big crowds – Mexico as well – I mean I expect it everywhere, there’s nowhere you don’t expect it to be good. It’s weird.”
Have you ever been starstruck?
“Yes. Zlatan Ibrahimovic the football player, definitely. There are quite few but I think that’s the worst.”
Where has been the strangest place you ever have heard ‘Million Voices’ being played. Most superstar producers occasionally here their tunes played in the weirdest locations…
“I’ve heard it pretty much everywhere – maybe on someone’s iPhone or iPod when you’re sitting next to them.”
I understand you are a huge Arsenal supporter – where did you watch the FA CUP and how did you celebrate?
“I was on tour somewhere, I was in Luzern in Switzerland and I celebrated with playing in a club. Nothing special really, but I was happy that day – definitely!”
You grew up with Avicii, you lived in the same neighbourhood and to this day remain great friends and producing partners. Stories of how Tim has had to calm his lifestyle down came as no surprise to many, free bars, private jets and five star hotels is a huge attraction for anyone, never mind a teenager! Just how difficult is for big name producers like yourself to remain focused on the job in hand and not hit the after party?
“It’s really important to have mentors around you. For me it’s pretty easy because I have Sebastian Ingrosso so close to me who’s been doing this for 15 years. He pretty much taught me how to behave. If you want to last in this business, you have to sacrifice – you can’t go nuts every night. I’m not that much of a party animal; I think I’m worst when I’m at home with my friends. I try to be professional, because it’s my work you know?”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“The next is a track that I’m currently working on. I’m not sure if I can tell you so much about it, there’s a female vocalist. I’m super happy that I was able to do this track. I got an opportunity to do a song I really wanted to do, to work with a vocalist I really wanted to work with. There’s no date for it yet, but the plan is to start playing it next week. Come to my shows and you will hear it!”
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Otto Knows will be playing throughout the Ibiza season at Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso’s ‘Departures’ at Ushuaia. You can catch him on 2nd July, 16th July and 30th July.
Tickets are available here: http://www.ushuaiaibiza.com/departures
Otto Knows further information…
https://www.facebook.com/OttoKnows
https://soundcloud.com/otto-knows
https://twitter.com/OttoKnows
http://ottoknows.com/
