Otra is a duo of two sisters. Recorded at their home in foggy Pacifica, CA, their debut album 'I’m Not That Way' (out digitally on Feb 10, 2023 via Thirty Something Records) documents their journey as they learn to see themselves more clearly and exist outside of expectations. As the band ruminates on their purpose and sense of self, the tracks search for their own sonic identities - weaving and wandering erratically through a fogfest of hypnagogic synths, chaotic clarinets, haunting vocal stacks, crunchy guitars, and polyrhythmic earth.
How did the band form and what does the band name mean?
The band formed after we had both been pushed out the womb. Based on our last name we’ve always been called Hotras. When we learned Otra means “other” in Spanish we thought that was fitting. Being mixed race women in computer science - and just weird people in general - we’ve often struggled to figure out where we fit in. Plus we realized after going to an Ana Tijoux concert that Spanish-speaking crowds would chant “¡Otra! ¡Otra!” for an encore - so that’s a bonus.
Previous musical projects? How'd you first get into music?
We were both clarinet band nerds in school (yes, we went to band camp). Kara played piano classically and Laura spent many nights learning every single Strokes song on guitar. We’ve both continued to play together and in other groups such as Laura’s MIT rock band, Kara’s Google orchestra, etc.
First concert that you ever went to?
We’ll confess our first show was Coldplay at the forum in LA. But soon after that we did crowdsurf at a Reel Big Fish concert.
What's your writing process like?
We have a 100 page Google doc that Laura vomits words into all the time (including snippets of our Gchat conversations). Often one of us will start a musical idea, either synth/drum or some guitar chords - and then we’ll mumble nonsense over it or puzzle piece together lyrics from Laura’s wild document.
What other artists or songs inspire your music?
While working on this album in 2019, we were carpooling 2 hours a day and obsessively listening to a bunch of stuff. We were heavily into Julian Casablancas and the Voidz - and started to feel that rejection of authority/expectations in our bones. St Vincent and Tune-Yards were visceral and alluring to us with their wild instrumentation and dense polyphonal stacks. Julian, Rostam, Chris of Christine and the Queens, and Zach Condon of Beirut all find those nostalgic magical melodies that crush you. And that is something we always try to chase.
What's the live experience like and your philosophy on playing live? Do you think the music live should be identical to the recorded version or should it be its own thing?
Since some of our songs literally have 30 instruments and we only have 2 band members… our live experience is very stripped down - but that’s the way we like it. It’s very vulnerable and can almost feel like a new life for the song with only its most necessary and pleasing parts.
Has the band toured? What has the touring experience been, best shows?
No tour yet. Our worst show was probably a few weeks ago - it was a family and friends Christmas party which turned into a spontaneous karaoke night which then turned out to be a Covid superspreader. (Everyone’s okay though.)
Our best show is any and every show - we feel so freaking lucky and surprised when anyone is interested to listen.
What's up next for the band?
We’re heading up to Stinson beach in a couple weeks to finish recording and mixing some new songs with Robert Cheek (AKA Cheeky). Album 2 is quickly coming together! We’re also hoping to play shows around LA and in the Bay Area.