A Quick Chat with Otto Reitano
Otto Reitano makes a stunning solo debut with On My Mind, a textured, R&B-inspired soundscape. Known for his work in immersive audio-visual art, Otto brings the same atmospheric sensibility to his music, blending ethereal vocals, delicate piano, and layered synths with hypnotic percussion. Mixed by Jack Prest (Skrillex, Flume, A$AP Rocky), the track evolves from tender intimacy into expansive, rhythmic motion, embodying both love and transcendence. Written and produced at home as a devotion to his wife, with their first child on the way, On My Mind is as personal as it is transportive. We caught up with Otto to talk about the track, his artistry, and what’s next.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
On My Mind is about the love I have for my wife, and the life we've created together. Now in my mid-30s, it finally feels like the puzzle pieces of life are coming together and a lot of the bigger life decisions I made in my 20s are paying dividends. There is a real sense of stillness and calm in my life. The only takeaway I want people to have is to know that I love the heck out of my wife.
Who are some of your influences, and why?
I really love the work of artists like Saya Grey, Jai Paul, Nicolas Jaar, and Sam Gellaitry - their production-heavy approach is something I relate to a lot.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
Lately, I'm really into using granular synthesis, so a lot of my ideas start with that. This song in particular started off by dropping a song from local artist Grea K. into a granulator, and using that to cut up some of the guitars. I usually then continue on with vocals, often at the same time as finger-drumming in a basic drum pattern. That's the core of the idea, which I'll then flesh out with piano parts, more vocals, and just playing around with extending the core idea in different ways.
In terms of the vocals for On My Mind, I wanted to keep my voice as raw and unprocessed as possible, a departure from the approach I had to my previous projects. I used to release music as 'Cloud Daddy & the Kingston Big Smokes' and I'd always disguise my voice by pitch shifting it or applying a squillion different effects. I wanted to avoid doing that with this release.
What do you think makes a great song?
For my own music, I'm only ever happy with a song when it feels like what I'm expressing had to come out in the form of that song. Sometimes I figure that out through the process of playing around with an instrument, but for On My Mind I had a clear idea of what I needed to express from the beginning.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I would like to collaborate with my kids when they are born.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
I'm also a sound-designer and work on a lot of different projects. I recently worked on the sound-design for a pedestrian tunnel in Sydney's Martin Place called 'Muru Giligu'. It was a 32-channel system that I created various multi-channel soundscapes and music for.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Lavurn (@cassius_select) is worth checking out, I've always enjoyed his stuff (especially the old stuff he released as Guerre!). His new album is on heavy rotation on my morning commutes. I also really like what BIKE THIEF (@bikethiefintl) are doing, they're one of the funnest bands I've ever seen live.
Winter or summer and why?
Summer for sure - I like riding my bike around Centennial Park at golden hour when it's nice and warm.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2025?
I'm going to become a father in November, which is pretty cool. I'll also release an EP before the end of the year, so look out for that :)