LOTTO are an instrumental trio, blending the outer borders of jazz, country, noise, and minimal electronica, through repetitive structures and improvisation, creating a music that is both hypnotising and moving. Based between Warsaw and Berlin, they have been developing a cult-like following since forming. LOTTO have released three albums to date: Ask The Dust (2014), Elite Feline (2016) and VV (2017). The band consists of Łukasz Rychlicki on electric guitar, electric bass and sampler / Mike Majkowski on electric bass / Paweł Szpura on drums. With its upcoming show at Digital in Berlin’s 10 Years in Sound festival, the trio will celebrate their Berlin-concert-premiere.
FACTS:
1: Old cars are good.
2: Mint is refreshing.
3: Some dinosaurs used to eat rocks to help digest food. These days some animals also eat rocks, among them are birds and certain reptiles.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Łukasz: Riding in a tram.
Paweł: Driving around in my car after sunrise.
Mike: Nature and dreams.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
Ł: In primary school, jamming with my brother in our garage, being inspired by Carcass and Napalm Death.
P: At the age of 12, after seeing a 15-second fragment of the AC/DC Thunderstruck video on TV.
M: In my teens, after hearing Charles Mingus.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Heres’s one each that has stuck with us over the years:
Ł: Brygada Kryzys – Czarna Brygada
P: Jimi Hendrix Experience – Electric Ladyland
M: Charles Mingus – The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
Seeing live music, meeting new people, openness.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Parks, gardens, open spaces.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Ł: If there was no music I’d probably play football all day long.
P: I’d like to be a forester.
M: Ride a skateboard.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
Ł: Izrael – 1991 (reissue, extended edition)
P: Dzuku Dainos 4 LP box (Lithuanian songs from Dzuku region)
M: Container LP
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Lee Scratch Perry.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Ł: Sonic Youth in Budapest, 1996.
P: Revolutionary Ensemble live at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, 2005.
M: Sachiko M live in Sydney at the What Is Music? Festival, I think it was 2004.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Not super important. But it’s good for some things.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
We all have siblings and they are supportive of our artistic endeavours.
LOTTO’s live show is scheduled for the first evening of Digital in Berlin’s 10 Years in Sound Festival on Friday, 10th August 2018. Day passes for 15,00 € are still available via Eventbrite and KOKA36.
Photo © LOTTO
