Butch (OddKidOut) sat down with us shortly after his set at this year’s Electric Zoo, a set which marked his first main stage performance at a festival. We discussed that and many other exciting things that happened for him this year, namely his ‘Weightless’ EP, and his upcoming tour with San Holo.

His ‘Weightless’ EP, which he has self-described as “a weird combination of a few things” includes a San Holo collab. However, when asked to pick his favorite track, he said he couldn’t because he appreciates each song for a different reason, saying ‘Thief’ is something unlike anything he’s ever made. ‘Apologize’ is melodically his favorite, while ‘Wish You Well’ gives him great internal feelings. His collaboration San Holo on ‘Cloudy Stories’ was inspired by his surroundings, while the sun was setting at his house in the LA hills. Much like the track, his friendship with San Holo happened organically, as they both approach music very similarly. 

While this year marks Butch’s first time touring as a DJ/producer, it’s not his first time touring: Butch had toured as a drummer since the age of 13. As a kid, he’d always wanted to be a musician, regularly air-drumming in his carseat. Despite the fact that no one else in his family is a musician, his father guided him into becoming a drummer. His father’s long battle with cancer during Butch’s formative years ultimately shaped the perspective that he has on life, and the type of person he wants to be. He’s taken difficult life experiences, and created music that stands for who he is and what he’s about, which is also the advice he also gives to aspiring artists (and otherwise):

“be yourself, don’t be afraid to do things that are unorthodox, don’t let society tell you what’s normal or what’s cool, because no one else can do you better than you.”

He also feels like he has achieved success in that way: by being able to wake up and make music, he’s truly doing what he loves. He finds it rewarding that he is able to experience something that very few people can, and while he recognizes that he works very hard for that, he stays grateful for it. While he’s on a very successful trajectory, he stays grounded by having good people around him, and always approaching things methodically, while remaining a student. 

Our interview with Butch closed with some quick, fun questions, one of which was “what would your last meal be?” We were surprised (and impressed) by his extremely detailed answer: cavatelli and sun-dried or cherry tomato and garlic baked chicken and roasted cauliflower. As specific as that answer was, he let us know his fridge was currently full of mostly Chick-fil-A sauce! If he could describe himself in three words, he chose “fun, understanding, no f*cking bullshit.” 

Even though that last answer was more than three words, after sitting down to chat with Butch for a bit, we agree, and love him for it.

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Stream ‘Weightless’ out on San Holo’s record label bitbird here

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