Bottin

Music Producer & DJ.

The Work Questionnaire.

What made you go the way you chose to go?

There was no special person who suggested to me to become a musician or special moment in my life that made me say “that’s it”. As far as I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a musician of some sort and, even though I never officially studied it (no conservatory or music school, I actually studied psychology), I always knew I wanted a career in music. I never even really tried to find work as a psychologist or anything different from music.

What’s the greatest difficulty you had to overcome to do what you’re doing now?

I had to overcome that unavoidable snobbish prejudice towards dance music, an attitude that’s often tagged onto musicianship itself. It was difficult to let go of many musical subtleties and allow myself to play things that are probably less interesting for a learned musical brain, but more communicative to the soul and the belly.

What’s the greatest difficulty you face on a daily basis to keep on doing what you’re doing?

Obviously, the music market has never been worse. Labels and distributors struggle to stay in business and that makes it hard for producers, who have to elbow their way in a sea of low quality releases. Basically you need to be touring all the time. But then you don’t have enough time to work on new music, especially when you come back from an intense weekend and by the time you are rested and your ears are good to work again you already have to pack for the next trip.

When did you find yourself thinking, “Well, this is it. I’m really doing what I want now”?

When I signed my first track to a record label, having my music out there in the stores. It was just one song in a compilation but at the time it seems to me the biggest accomplishment.

How did you set your activity up? What was the process that led you to do what you’re doing?

I’ve been working with music for a long time, but things really started going better when I focused on my own music and using my real name. I learned a lot when I was working for other people, doing arrangements and production. But I was lacking the restless motivation that I always have when I work for myself.

How do you imagine the future?

Sunny and cozy.

What would you consider to be the main quality in order to survive in your field?

Self-sufficiency. Believing in your own work and not relying on instant gratifications.

And what is the indispensable flaw that someone should have in order to get into your business?

Stubbornness beyond any reasonable limit.

Filed In: Music

April 7, 2011 at 8:00 am