01Profile
A otta Photo
otta
Musician — London
03Interview
Photo by Reuben Bastienne
Name, where are you from?
otta, right now I’m in London but I’m from Buckinghamshire.
Describe your style in three words?
Unique and stylish.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Nai Palm at Ronnie Scotts once, she was performing with just her guitar. It was beautiful!
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
I would choose Prince and the Cocteau Twins so I could watch their sets too. I can imagine they would both be amazing. I’ve listened to these two live sessions on repeat and felt so much from them so in person I can imagine it would be that x1000.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Not trying to sound like a politician when I answer this but I think it is hard to not be influenced by all the subcultures that have been around/are around, they have bled into everything and evolved over time in one way or another. Even one listen of something could change the way you think or influence what you do next creatively, so I think subconsciously we are all influenced by everything. it’s hard to pick out one or another.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Would love to spend an hour in a studio with Frank Ocean and talk about music.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Definitely The Windmill in Brixton, it’s where I played my second ever show and I put on my first night. I feel like when you’re playing there it feels like it can’t really go wrong because it’s such a warm and special place.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Cathy Dennis hands down a queen. Not even unsung, but a hero for sure. Or maybe Lemar, I feel he is underrated. 'It’s Not That Easy' is a banger.
otta released her latest EP 'Songbook' in July 2020. Listen, purchase or stream it via otta.ffm.to/songbook.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Hot in Herre' by Nelly. This was the first song I bought on iTunes.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Down to You' by Joni Mitchell. I think this could cover teenage years as a whole, it’s always made me feel comfortable with change.
One record you would keep forever?
'Songs Of Leonard Cohen' by Leonard Cohen. I find this record really comforting, it’s a really nice way to start the day, at one point I listened to it every morning before work.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Sometimes I give into sadness sometimes I go to sleep"
From 'Aragula' by Junglepussy. I could pick out loads of lyrics that inspired me from her new record though, it feels very honest, you know when you just hear something and you’re like yep.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Decline Him' by Quay Dash.
A song you wished you had written?
'Say A Little Prayer' by Aretha Franklin or 'A Song For You' by Leon Russell!
Best song to turn up loud?
'Woodrow' by 1010 Benja SL.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'tolerate it' by Taylor Swift.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Small Hours' by John Martyn.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'everytime' by Camelia.
03Interview
Photo by Reuben Bastienne
Name, where are you from?
otta, right now I’m in London but I’m from Buckinghamshire.
Describe your style in three words?
Unique and stylish.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Nai Palm at Ronnie Scotts once, she was performing with just her guitar. It was beautiful!
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
I would choose Prince and the Cocteau Twins so I could watch their sets too. I can imagine they would both be amazing. I’ve listened to these two live sessions on repeat and felt so much from them so in person I can imagine it would be that x1000.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Not trying to sound like a politician when I answer this but I think it is hard to not be influenced by all the subcultures that have been around/are around, they have bled into everything and evolved over time in one way or another. Even one listen of something could change the way you think or influence what you do next creatively, so I think subconsciously we are all influenced by everything. it’s hard to pick out one or another.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Would love to spend an hour in a studio with Frank Ocean and talk about music.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Definitely The Windmill in Brixton, it’s where I played my second ever show and I put on my first night. I feel like when you’re playing there it feels like it can’t really go wrong because it’s such a warm and special place.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Cathy Dennis hands down a queen. Not even unsung, but a hero for sure. Or maybe Lemar, I feel he is underrated. 'It’s Not That Easy' is a banger.
otta released her latest EP 'Songbook' in July 2020. Listen, purchase or stream it via otta.ffm.to/songbook.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Hot in Herre' by Nelly. This was the first song I bought on iTunes.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Down to You' by Joni Mitchell. I think this could cover teenage years as a whole, it’s always made me feel comfortable with change.
One record you would keep forever?
'Songs Of Leonard Cohen' by Leonard Cohen. I find this record really comforting, it’s a really nice way to start the day, at one point I listened to it every morning before work.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"Sometimes I give into sadness sometimes I go to sleep"
From 'Aragula' by Junglepussy. I could pick out loads of lyrics that inspired me from her new record though, it feels very honest, you know when you just hear something and you’re like yep.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Decline Him' by Quay Dash.
A song you wished you had written?
'Say A Little Prayer' by Aretha Franklin or 'A Song For You' by Leon Russell!
Best song to turn up loud?
'Woodrow' by 1010 Benja SL.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'tolerate it' by Taylor Swift.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Small Hours' by John Martyn.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'everytime' by Camelia.
otta | just like the rain (2020)
otta | sick inside (2020)
otta | three of us (2020)
otta | never see (2020)