Interview by Carol Wright | Photo Courtesy of Keyboard PR
We got to chat with musician Otto Botté about the usefulness of streaming services and his song “Humbara” from Dancing Company Vol. I.
As a self-taught musician do you allow yourself more freedom when it comes to experimenting with your music or trying new things with your sound?
That’s the foundation of my creative process. I usually have a clear vision but give myself complete freedom to execute it. I have a workflow, but within sounds and templates, I find a lot of room for improvisation and happy accidents.
When you were creating Dancing Company Vol. I where did you look for inspiration?
I took a look back into my childhood, reminisced on dance recitals of Latin traditional music in elementary school, and house and dance music that kept me groovin’ thru my junior and high school years back in Bogotá. On that trip back in time, I grabbed the last few ingredients I was looking for to create something true to who I am today.
“Humbara” has done incredibly well on Spotify which is no surprise as it’s such a fun track. Have streaming services been helpful in putting the EP in front of the right listeners?
They have been. I’m grateful for the tools we have today as indie artists to take control and build an audience. We can get the music in front of people you know might like and understand the vibe. Then those listeners can get to know an artist as well in a matter of clicks (bio, photos, and personal life), and support directly by streaming, buying merchandise, donating, seeing a show, or leaving an encouraging comment.
Is there a song on the EP you’re most proud of?
“Humbara” would be the one. It was the first song I ever wrote as a solo producer four years ago. It tells a meaningful story that resonates after years of it sitting on a hard drive. It speaks to the most intimate relationships in my life, the one I have with God and the one I have with my fiancée.
Outside of working on your own music, you have collaborated with other artists on theirs. What have you learned through working with other musicians?
I’ve learned that relationship building and teamwork are two of the most important resources as creatives. No one should be an island. We need each other to build upwards, empower, and care for one another. Finding these kinds of friendships takes time. They are a rare gift in life and far more valuable than the pride of doing something by yourself. Being at the top jaded by our ego and completely alone goes against our community-dependent human nature.
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
Learn to tell a story. Storytelling is an invaluable tool to connect with other humans genuinely. In the arts, a genuine connection is more powerful than money and political/bureaucratic power. It has a moral compass embedded in it that protects the relationship itself from bad intentions or ulterior motives.