Othon
Othon
08-04-15
This Friday we welcome Kaos mainstay and the man behind Pan Muzik... Othon! He brings his brand new party Papa Loko to the Superstore basement for a night of "high-frequency techno, transcendental deep house and emotionally explosive electronica". Ahead of the party we caught up with him to find out just what we can expect on the night...
Describe Pan Muzik in one sentence?
Music that does not fit in a box and defies the limitations of genre.
Who or what is Papa Loko?
Papa Loko was the first Houngan or priest in the Vodoun (known here as Voodoo) tradition. He is the Loa or spirit of plants and trees and he is a powerful healer. Though most people will think of Papa Loko as “Crazy Daddy”, it is actually a bit more subversive and esoteric than that! But I also like the fact that there is a sense of humor attached to it. I want the party to be fun and not take itself too seriously, even though the music will be stellar and the crowd hot!
What do you want people to experience and take away from your night?
I want people to dance their guts out and let their consciousness transcend much beyond our confined everyday reality. I would like people to have serious fun and get healed at the same time; to induce hormonal delirium and hyperspatial Oneness!
Marc Almond regularly features on your albums- how did you come to work with him?
It is thanks to Myspace, believe it or not. It was the period after he had his terrible accident where he almost lost his life, and he had more free time than usual. As I was a huge fan, I decided to write to him and he actually read my message and listened to my music. Great timing I guess! He commented back saying that he loved what he heard and that he wanted to hear more... and then I took a deep breath and asked him if he would sing a few tracks for my first album. To my surprise he said that he would love to. Since then we stayed connected and I will be soon releasing Cobra Coral EP which will be featuring him together with Boss Axis and other great artists.
What influence does your Greek roots have on the music you make?
I love the moodiness and melancholy of some older Greek songs and some of it is present in my tracks though it is so twisted and personalised that is almost hard to tell where it comes from!
What does Kaos mean to you?
A lot! Kaos is part of my big London family. I have been there since Day One and I hope I will be there, whenever I can, for years to come. Kaos has been a great source of joy and inspiration to my life and the life of others and Lee Adams, who runs it, is like my brother. The cool thing is that though Papa Loko will share some similarities with Kaos, its identity will be very distinct and musically will have a slightly different focus.
If you had a time machine and could visit any dance floor anywhere where would you want to go dancing?
I miss the old Trade at Turnmills and Fist at Imperial Gardens! Though this is not the kind of music I would play nowadays, it was amazing for the time and the horniness in both parties was beyond!! I find big London gay clubs at the moment a bit pointless or even worst, a bit sad... I am happy to stay East for sure!
Who is joining you in the Superstore basement and why are they amazing?
I have two DJs with me at the Superstore; Dahc Dermur VIII is a bold and highly imaginative DJ who has been playing at the coolest parties in the UK and major fashion events, like Rick Owens’ famous packed party at Selfridges last summer. He is also a walking work of art - he just looks stunning! - and a New York fashion icon too. Dahc is very dear to me and has been involved with Papa Loko from a very early stage, so his vibrations are totally in-tune with the concept of the party.
Damin Hansford is a South African DJ who has played at Boiler Room as well as other great parties and who has relocated to London recently. When I heard his slightly softer but emotionally dense seamless sets, I knew immediately that he would be the perfect DJ to set the mood of the party right and create the perfect space for magic to happen.
Tell us about the artist who designed your poster...
The Papa Loko drawing is actually taken from a painting by the American artist Matt Sesow whose quite obsessive work I deeply admire. The actual design in the poster is by Domingo Rosas Aguilar who resides in Mexico and has designed my website and my latest album Pineal.
What ethos do you make your music to?
If I can make people feel more, think more, do more and create more I am happy!
Join Othon for Papa Loko this Friday 10th April at Dalston Superstore from 9pm - 3am.
Photo credit: Darren Black
Othon