Austin Ato: “If the music isn’t making you move you’re either playing the wrong music or you’re just not feeling it.”

We spoke with our next Dobar House headliner - Austin Ato!

He is a talented producer who's music we absolutely love, and a DJ with an energy that fit ours. Check out what he had to say prior to coming to Zagreb.

With an extensive catalogue of his productions, Austin Ato is a go-to producer with so much to say. He draws influences from disco, house and techno, and has released for labels such as Defected, Classic Music Company, Phonica White and many more.

This will be his first Zagreb appearance as Austin Ato, and we cannot be more excited for this booking! If you want to know more about the party that's taking place on the 21st of May in Peti Kupe, click here, and if you want to know more about Austin Ato, read below!

DH: Hi Colin, thanks for doing this interview with us. So this is not your first time in Zagreb, after all...but there's a catch, back when you first came, you weren't exactly Austin Ato, right? Tell us a few about your experience in Zagreb.

Austin Ato: Hi, yeah it was years ago in my last project Drums Of Death.  I can’t really recall all that much, it was winter and very dark, I think and it was a rave bunker.  I remember it being fun but not a lot much else.  I’m very excited to be back in spring/summer and see it in more daylight ha.

DH: You worked on many projects as Drums Of Death, like remixes for Franz Ferdinand or Azealia Banks - what's your favorite production / record you made back then?

Austin Ato: Probably my “Waves” EPs.   Three 12” records, Black, Red and Blue.  Each having four tracks and marking my production skills coming to a really good place, although I listen back now and hear my improvements.  Blue Waves is probably the best,  it’s a really good record featuring big inspiration from both Detroit techno and the London bass music scenes.

DH: Things are different now for you, now you tour and make music under the new name - Austin Ato. Tell us why the name, why the change?

Austin Ato: The name is a homonym, a word/phrase that sounds like another. Austin Ato = Ostinato, an Italian word used in classical music that means a repeating motif or riff, or in my case a bassline. What is house music if not a repeating bassline?  It’s basically a joke for all the fellow music nerds out there.  I had done a lot as Drums Of Death and was leaving my deal at Sony, I wanted a change.  I wanted to try something similar but different, to make something soulful but also be totally for the club, I wanted to experiment and tap into ideas and musical directions I hadn’t yet.  Now, a few years into the project I find I’m making tougher music and also deeper tunes at the same time. I’m working on an album and doing more for various label so some releases will be hard, others will be lighter.

DH: You released for Defected and Classic Music Company, but many other labels as well. What's your favourite Austin Ato Tune?

Austin Ato: Probably “When Love Is Tender” (The Sweet Mix) or “Work” but because they both represent different directions, one more disco and the other more house/techno but still both me. I want to keep exploring all these areas.  Also “Work” features my friend Dave Giles II, a great rapper and vocalist.  Someone I’ll be working with again very soon.

DH: You seem pretty energetic with your performances, we dig that. What drives you to go berserk at the decks?

Austin Ato: I don’t understand how DJs just stand there. I need to move. If the music isn’t making you move you’re either playing the wrong music or you’re just not feeling it.

DH: We always like to ask our DJs to tell us a story from their travels. There has to be at least one that has stuck with you. Can you tell us about it?

Austin Ato: Too many to say and probably can’t share but something cool that happened just a few weeks ago was: I played a huge festival in Edinburgh, Terminal V. Amazing festival, huge techno stages.. but I was playing the house stage with Cinthie, Mike Servito, Floorplan, Ewan McVicar and lots more.  Ewan and I hung out the whole weekend, such a great guy and he’s riding a huge wave. Really happy for him.  Sunday night ended up with Ewan and I with Chaos In the CBD in a hotel room listening to amazing unreleased music by Chaos.  There’s crazy parties and wild stuff that goes on but honestly I love nothing more than just hearing new amazing music from my friends.  It’s the best!   We were up late just sharing music and ordering drinks from room service.  Music is the best, stay excited!

DH: What country do you really enjoy performing in? And what country would you like to visit, but haven't yet had a chance?

Austin Ato: I was just in Florence, Italy and that was incredibly beautiful.  I think a lot of crowds in the world respond to music the same way because it’s such a universal joy but the vibe and personality of cities and countries can of course be very different.  I love Croatia but having only played Tisno recently at last year’s Defected Croatia can I really say I know Croatia?  I don’t think so.  I’m really excited to be in Zagreb again and feel the vibe of the people. Travelling is a thing I love and being able to see somewhere a little different to where you live is a real blessing. So where do I want to play?  Everywhere there is a great party!! hah

DH: Short SF story. A global event has occurred - Music does not exist anymore. What do you do for a living? What's your other passion that would replace music, if we knew it does not exist anymore?

Austin Ato: Well, if I can’t somehow reinvent music then I’d probably try acting or some such similar expression. I used to be a video editor and work on some short films. I’d like to work in some space of artistic expression.  

DH: Which DJ blew your mind and when?

Austin Ato: Most recently: Lil Louis, 2019.  I cannot describe how wild and raw it was.  The music wasn’t hard, it was just how house music should feel, it had a wild energy and it felt alive.

DH: What do you listen to at home, in your car, on your phone? What makes you happy other than electronic music?

Austin Ato: My gym playlist is nothing but grime, hiphop and jungle. I want power music in the gym, rhythm and bass.    

I just checked my phone and my most recent listens have been:
My private playlist full of house, garage and 90s techno records.
Slum Village - Fantastic Vol2
Sly & Robbie Meet Bunny Lee - a great dub record, 
Nala Sinephro a great jazz/ambient album
Deepchord - Auratones
Massive Attack - Blue Lines

DH: You are releasing a remix for Dobar House. Might we add that we are very excited for this one to drop! How did you like working on 'Giving It Up' by Ros T?

Austin Ato: It was really fun, I either like to just gently edit or completely rework a track in a remix. In this case I went for the latter.  Lots of Ros T’s parts are in the remix but all chopped up. It was very fun to make and I’m delighted it came out so well. Click for more.

DH: A message for your present and future fans in Croatia?

Hi, I’m Austin. I make good records and I want to be the reason you left the club sweaty as hell and with a big smile on your face.