With computers getting faster and professional software readily available to the masses, electronic music is becoming more and more prevalent. The competition to be a stand-out DJ or producer is steep and to make their presence known, would-be producers have to bring something special to the table. Queue Otto Knows, the latest breakout electronic music artist from Sweden—the country that also brought us Avicii, Alesso and Sebastian Ingrosso. Otto Knows performs December 6 at Hollywood’s Greystone Manor.
Otto Knows (real name Otto Jettmann) is a house music DJ and electronic producer that has been building momentum over the past two years. After getting the attention of Tim Berg (Avicii) and the success of his single “Million Voices,” released in May, Jettmann has been busy traveling and playing all over the world.
Getting the “stamp of approval” by artists like Tiësto and Swedish House Mafia, getting to see him in such an intimate setting might become a rarity. Jettmann took some time to talk with us before the show.
Otto is your first name, but why did you choose to Otto Knows as your stage name?
I think it was a few years ago, me and Seb (Ingrosso) were out for a night in Stockholm. We were a bit drunk at that time, and it was the right moment for me to choose a name. We finally figured out that Otto Knows was a pretty funny one, and I still agree with that.
What have the last two years been like for you since your big break on the electronic scene?
It has been quite busy, to be honest. I mean, a lot of travelling, a lot of cool gigs and I’ve met a lot of new people. I’ve done many things I’ve been dreaming about for a long time and being finally able to do it is an extraordinary feeling. I hope I’ll be able to live this life for a few more years. That would be great!
What have you noticed to be the biggest differences between European fans and American fans?
The American fans are very excited by the scene at the moment. They are hungrier and they appreciate the music from another point of view. They are more hectic and crazier about the EDM new evolution. The public is a bit younger as well, they discover the whole scene and this is a very exciting moment for them and for us, as well, to bring something fresh. I think the European crowd is a bit more chin-scratching, fussy, and has a more critical stance about everything electronic as the scene has been around for so many years. I still appreciate playing for the both, it’s still a pleasure to come to the stage and play for them.
What is the craziest thing you’ve witnessed while playing a show?
The craziest? Well, I don’t know. It’s really hard to come with some details like that. Things are happening in a pretty crazy way all the time, I can’t really think about something standing out of this incredible flow of events and parties.
It’s still hard to realize how fast things happen all the time. People generally become a bit mad, but this is why we are here in front of them and this is the sign of an accomplished mission. To add a little bit of madness here and there sounds like a positive thing.
How do you feel about technology and the role it plays in making electronic music something that so many people can create. What do you think makes you stand out in such a large crowd?
It’s a good thing that so many ideas can now come to our ears so easily. It’s very exciting and very competitive at the same time. Technology is a thing, but when it comes to melody, producers are not that equal anymore. This is where I think you can really make a difference. My music is made to enhance that melodic fuel. You can make tracks, but it’s harder to make songs. This is why it takes me so much time to produce my music. I try to make something unique, something people can really recognize, not just a plain soundtrack in the background of a party. At the end, this is all about the melody people will remember. They won’t remember the kicks or the precision of the production.
What can we expect from Otto Knows in 2013?
More tunes, for sure, more touring and I hope I’ll be able to do a couple of new collaborations; that would be cool. And keep pushing, see how far we can go with this, see what happen. I’m really looking forward to Miami, which is an awesome place, touring the States, Europe, the UK and let’s see what’s happening!
Otto Knows performs at Greystone Manor on December 6 at 10pm. General admission tickets are $50.
