Music / Feature
Sonotto: ‘It’s all in the feeling’
Musician is not a big enough word to describe Sonotto.
Stirling born but Bristol based, the musician is a songwriter, conceptual artist, producer, self taught bassist, DJ and vocalist.
Sonotto is Otto Neckel, bursting onto the scene in 2020 with his single Awaken, My Silence, the unconforming artist has racked up an impressive repertoire of tracks.
is needed now More than ever
Fusing a range of genres, from African rhythm and no wave to jazz and funk, his genreless approach to music is an intentional one.
“I might open up my DAW with a genre in mind, and it turns out different, or vice versa,” Otto tells Bristol24/7.
“Sometimes what I was envisioning even comes true, but the running theme is I try not to get attached to it either way, I find it can get in the way of the process.”
Led by the feeling of the creativity than trying to fit his music into the mould of a particular genre, this improvisational route of creating music is what makes his work so interesting.
While Infinite You leans into the monotone electronica genre, The Dilemma feels more electro-pop, full of disco fever undertones.
What does he look for when pursuing a particular path of music?
“The best way I can describe it is that it’s a feeling that wants to express through me, like I’m a filter for it,” he explains. “The more I get out of the way of it, the clearer the communication of that feeling is.
“So, in essence, the music acts as a reflection of it. I don’t believe you can decide when to be creative. In my experience, it happens to you, and all that you need to do is ride the wave and be attentive.
“I find that as soon as I try to take control, it doesn’t work, and I end up blocking it in one way or another.”
It takes a certain amount of ego to be brave enough to put your art out into the world and Otto credits this to his upbringing; being homeschooled in Scotland allowed him to grow up without the attention, and possible ridicule, of other children.
This allowed him to shed any unconscious bias towards himself and others, empowering him to focus on his passion for music and listen to his gut.
His journey to Access Creative College and then BIMM allowed him to focus his attention on his musicality, embracing the equipment and knowledge at his fingertips.
However, the music industry is a notoriously unpredictable and, at times, impenetrable. How does he navigate this?
“It’s difficult, but in a good way. I remember Eckhart Tolle saying, ‘Imagine a film with no adversity; nothing would happen, and it would be rather dull.’ I believe what you need doesn’t pass you by, so where I am is perfect right now.
“I also like the feeling of independence – understanding everything for myself first. It means that now I’m working with a publicist and an agent, we have a closer relationship because I have some experience of doing their jobs for myself.”
“I trust what I feel; it’s all I know for sure.” photo: @sonootto
Following his last release, Casual Sex, in July 2023, new music from Sonotto is extremley overdue.
Bristol24/7 got a sneek peak of the unreleased track True Romance Part 2 which is in collaboration with Yorke.
The track feels like a move away from the hard electronica tones and moves into the sun-filled, West Coast of America energy.
Reminiscent of summer days, driving in the sunshine with the windows down and the wind in your hair, the song is a thrilling look into what’s to come from the artist.
He is also working on a brand new project, a full length album, in collaboration with Dom Mitchison of HUMM Studios, who Otto worked very closely with back in the summer of 2022.
“It’s my first collection of songs!” Otto tells us of the project. “I dare say ‘album’ because those who I’ve met in the industry have said that your first album should be an artistic statement.
“But I find the sound I’m creating is constantly evolving, so I see it more as a ride that you can jump on whenever it excites you. So yeah, actually, it’s my first album!”
The release date for the album is yet to be announced but if it’s like everything else the musician does, it’s sure to be exciting, versatile and full of feeling.
Main photo: @jacek_davis
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
