01Profile
A Otto Hashmi Photo
Otto Hashmi
Musician — London
03Interview
Photo: Johnny Stanley
Name, where are you from?
Otto Hashmi from Cricklewood, North West London.
Describe your style in three words?
Dark. Concise. Intentional.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Sleep Research Facility. 3am closing set for a Cold Spring Records all-dayer at the Dome in Tufnell Park. I had just turned 18 and it really made a deep impact on my philosophy of live performance.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Mr Bungle. They really set the trajectory for me musically becoming the person I am today. More specifically during their Disco Volante era, because that album is a whole trip.
Laibach. Amazing live show. Both times I’ve seen them they ended the set with a projection saying no encores, love it.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
The Footwork scene in 00s Chicago. Those hyper-speed clave rhythms are like a holy ghost that has taken over my musical spirit.
The Power Electronics scene in early 80s England. The whole thing was punk beyond punk. Shame that Whitehouse aren’t on Spotify otherwise ‘Wriggle Like An Eel’ would absolutely make the cut. What a banger.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Shostakovich. Just under three minutes into the final movement of his second Cello Concerto, the bass and snare drums play something that sounds like a hip-hop beat. Was that groove intentional? Or just a soviet happy accident? I’m learning Russian at the moment too so it would just be cool to practice speaking with him.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Powerlunches in Dalston (RIP). I would sneak in at 16 or 17 and made some great memories and friends. Discovering Denzel Himself playing there in 2014 was a good time. I feel very lucky to have performed there before its demise.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
All of the UK Drill producers who don’t get a chance to shine. For me UK Drill is one the most exciting sounds coming out of the UK. We’ve adopted an American sound and taken it to a new place. ‘Welcome Home’ by Sheff G produced by Quietpvck really sums it up, with Sheff G chanting Brooklyn on a beat that sounds distinctly London.
Otto Hashmi releases his eponymous EP on Friday 24th April. His music draws influence from the sounds of London through a fusion of UK Hip-Hop, recorder music, and against the grain multi-instrumentalism. Find out more at www.ottohashmi.com
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
‘Cowboys’ by Portishead. For some reason when I was little my parents used to play me Portishead’s eponymous album on loop when I went to bed. Tiny Otto fell asleep countless nights to that eerie scratching. I think it explains a lot...
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Satan-Prometheus’ by Gorgoroth.
One record you would keep forever?
'Field of Reeds' by These New Puritans is a masterpiece. Probably my all-time favourite band. The way they use 808s alongside bel canto singing in ‘Beyond Black Suns’ blows my mind.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Sounds go through the muscles
These abstract wordless movements
They start off cells that haven't been touched before”
‘Headphones’ by Björk.
A song you wished you had written?
‘Always’ by James Blake. But if we're talking music in general, then Holst's 'Neptune' is something I could only dream of coming close to. Everything I ever compose will live in its shadow.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Hustle Bones’ by Death Grips if I’m with people. ‘Vitriol’ by Liturgy if I’m alone.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘Little Love’ by Alex Gaudino and Jerma.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ by Sylvester.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
For a hardcore sesh, definitely ‘La Mala Ordina’ by Clipping, anyone left is a real MVP. Or maybe I’d just play a Vomir tape. If I’ve pulled then definitely ‘Book of the Month’ by Lovage.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Mr Affiliate / J.B2. His flow is something else.
Pigeonhole. Doing some sick stuff here in London.
Schwefelgelb. They bang as always.
Mid Air Thief. Inspiring multi-instrumentalism.
03Interview
Photo: Johnny Stanley
Name, where are you from?
Otto Hashmi from Cricklewood, North West London.
Describe your style in three words?
Dark. Concise. Intentional.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Sleep Research Facility. 3am closing set for a Cold Spring Records all-dayer at the Dome in Tufnell Park. I had just turned 18 and it really made a deep impact on my philosophy of live performance.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Mr Bungle. They really set the trajectory for me musically becoming the person I am today. More specifically during their Disco Volante era, because that album is a whole trip.
Laibach. Amazing live show. Both times I’ve seen them they ended the set with a projection saying no encores, love it.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
The Footwork scene in 00s Chicago. Those hyper-speed clave rhythms are like a holy ghost that has taken over my musical spirit.
The Power Electronics scene in early 80s England. The whole thing was punk beyond punk. Shame that Whitehouse aren’t on Spotify otherwise ‘Wriggle Like An Eel’ would absolutely make the cut. What a banger.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Shostakovich. Just under three minutes into the final movement of his second Cello Concerto, the bass and snare drums play something that sounds like a hip-hop beat. Was that groove intentional? Or just a soviet happy accident? I’m learning Russian at the moment too so it would just be cool to practice speaking with him.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Powerlunches in Dalston (RIP). I would sneak in at 16 or 17 and made some great memories and friends. Discovering Denzel Himself playing there in 2014 was a good time. I feel very lucky to have performed there before its demise.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
All of the UK Drill producers who don’t get a chance to shine. For me UK Drill is one the most exciting sounds coming out of the UK. We’ve adopted an American sound and taken it to a new place. ‘Welcome Home’ by Sheff G produced by Quietpvck really sums it up, with Sheff G chanting Brooklyn on a beat that sounds distinctly London.
Otto Hashmi releases his eponymous EP on Friday 24th April. His music draws influence from the sounds of London through a fusion of UK Hip-Hop, recorder music, and against the grain multi-instrumentalism. Find out more at www.ottohashmi.com
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
‘Cowboys’ by Portishead. For some reason when I was little my parents used to play me Portishead’s eponymous album on loop when I went to bed. Tiny Otto fell asleep countless nights to that eerie scratching. I think it explains a lot...
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Satan-Prometheus’ by Gorgoroth.
One record you would keep forever?
'Field of Reeds' by These New Puritans is a masterpiece. Probably my all-time favourite band. The way they use 808s alongside bel canto singing in ‘Beyond Black Suns’ blows my mind.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Sounds go through the muscles
These abstract wordless movements
They start off cells that haven't been touched before”
‘Headphones’ by Björk.
A song you wished you had written?
‘Always’ by James Blake. But if we're talking music in general, then Holst's 'Neptune' is something I could only dream of coming close to. Everything I ever compose will live in its shadow.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Hustle Bones’ by Death Grips if I’m with people. ‘Vitriol’ by Liturgy if I’m alone.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘Little Love’ by Alex Gaudino and Jerma.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ by Sylvester.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
For a hardcore sesh, definitely ‘La Mala Ordina’ by Clipping, anyone left is a real MVP. Or maybe I’d just play a Vomir tape. If I’ve pulled then definitely ‘Book of the Month’ by Lovage.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Mr Affiliate / J.B2. His flow is something else.
Pigeonhole. Doing some sick stuff here in London.
Schwefelgelb. They bang as always.
Mid Air Thief. Inspiring multi-instrumentalism.