THEO Kottis is one of the UKs most promising next generation artists and DJs.
He first gained recognition as resident of Edinburgh’s Fly Club and Glasgow’s Sub Club and has impressed the likes of Joris Voorn and Kerri Chandler with a myriad of cool tracks signed to taste-maker labels such as Get Physical, Moda Black and Sasha’s Last Night on Earth.
It’s no wonder then that the revered Global Underground have asked him to step up to helm the latest edition to their Nubreed mix series.
We caught up with Theo to find out more.
Hey Theo! Welcome to The Night Bazaar You’ve become the featured artist on Nubreed 11, Global Underground’s mix compilation album series for breakthrough artists. How did this come about?
A few good conversations, a great meeting with Andy (who runs Global Underground) and here we are!
For people who aren’t familiar with you and your music, please tell us about yourself, what and where you play?
I am originally from Edinburgh in Scotland and have held residencies at Fly Club in Edinburgh and at Show at Sub Club. I like to think my main strength as a DJ is to be versatile, I play everything from house, disco and techno.
We would describe your development as a DJ as organic, albeit in the early stages a long, fulfilling career. To your credit, you appear to have wowed a lot of people with you tune selection and technical skills. Would you say this was your experience?
Great to hear that! It’s great to see myself improving and getting better opportunities over the years. It’s definitely been a grind.
Being productive in the studio is important for many DJ producers building their live show. Is recording your main focus or would you say you are more attuned to the DJing aspect of your career?
I love both but I feel DJing is my stronger side. I am still learning so much in the studio but I’m putting in the time to develop this side of my skill.
Please tell us about your label and releases. What’s the story so far and what’s upcoming
I’ve just released my album “Beautiful Strangers” – it’s a 7 track album that represents the different sounds you can hear in my DJ sets. It will be part of a trilogy so expect much more coming soon!
You’ve had a busy DJ schedule in 2018, what have been your favourite gigs so far this year?
It’s hard to pick just one, Parklife festival in Manchester was so much fun. My stage was packed, around 15,000 people!
You have been heavily immersed in the legendary Scottish underground electronic scene with residencies at Edinburgh’s Fly Club and The Sub Club in Glasgow. Please tell us about your own involvement in it and how you see it?
The Scottish clubbing scene has influenced me massively. Being able to party and DJ weekly in cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow really shaped my taste and style. Playing at the Sub Club – which I’d say is the best club in the world – has given me a better understanding of working the dance floor and warming up, you have to do your homework when playing there. Having a residency at Fly Club, Cabaret Voltaire has also helped me learn and improve as DJ – I love playing all night long!
Which other DJs and producers do you rate highly?
DJs – Gerd Janson, Laurent Garnier, Ryan Elliot.
Producers – KiNK, Kerri Chandler, Henrik Schwarz.
Which iconic Global Underground and Nubreed DJ mix albums do you favour and why?
A lot of the GU catalogue was released when I was really young but I took time going through the archives for inspiration. I love the Lee Burridge 24:7 mix, I would have been 12 when it was released. Lee is a legend!
Please tell us about your Ibiza 2018 plans?
You can catch me playing at Dystopia, Ushuaia July 20th alongside Luciano and Dan Ghenacia.
NUBREED #11: THEO KOTTIS is released on GLOBAL UNDERGROUND on 29th June. Grab your copy here:
