ALTO

Early Beginnings

London’s underground scene is home to a new generation of producers reshaping the sound of minimal and tech house, and few embody this movement quite like ALTO. At just 22 years old, he has rapidly carved out a space for himself in the scene, earning support from some of the biggest names in dance music while staying true to his simple yet powerful sonic philosophy. With a grassroots beginning, an obsession with vocals, and a refreshingly pragmatic approach to production, ALTO is a name that continues to rise—and he’s just getting started.

Born and raised in London, ALTO was introduced to the world of DJing through his father, who was a DJ himself. While many kids his age were focused on sports or video games, ALTO found himself drawn to the technical skill of mixing, fascinated by the precision and fluidity it required. “I wasn’t into sports, but when I saw my dad DJing, something clicked,” he says. By the age of 12, he was already experimenting with decks, setting the foundation for what would become his life’s obsession.

The Defining Moment

His first defining experience in the world of dance music came at Appetite 93, a London event that solidified his passion for the scene. “It made me want to carry on,” he recalls. “Seeing how happy music makes people, how it lets them forget about everything and just live in the moment—that was it for me.” He was hooked, not just on the music itself, but on its ability to create a shared experience, a collective euphoria where nothing outside the dancefloor mattered.

The ALTO Sound: Simplicity is Key

ALTO’s signature sound is deeply rooted in simplicity. Influenced by the Dutch minimal wave that dominated Appetite 93, his approach to production strips tracks down to their essential elements. “Keep it simple,” he preaches. “Nobody cares about a double kick or some overly complicated sound design. Just make something people want to dance to.” His tracks rarely exceed 15 channels—kick, clap, top loop, bassline, open hat. That’s it. His belief? Overproduction is the enemy of groove.

The Power of Vocals

One of the defining aspects of ALTO’s music is his use of vocals. For him, they aren’t just another layer—they’re the glue that holds everything together. “Vocals keep everyone engaged. They make music more inclusive and easier to connect with,” he explains. But rather than recycling the same overplayed samples, ALTO digs deep. His process involves first crafting the instrumental, then spending hours searching obscure YouTube videos for the perfect vocal to bring a track to life. “Who needs another ‘Pump Up the Jam’ edit? Nobody. There’s so much undiscovered music out there, and it’s way more rewarding to find something unique.” There’s also a certain magic, he says, in taking a vocal from 10-15 years ago and reviving it for a new audience.

Crafting a Unique Sound

When asked about his philosophy on finding a unique sound, ALTO keeps it straightforward. “Make what you like, and your sound will come,” he says. “People get too caught up in trying to sound different. Your sound is already defined by the samples and sounds you choose.” He keeps his approach methodical, narrowing down favorite kicks, claps, and basslines, refining them over time. It’s about efficiency, not complexity.

Mastering His Own Tracks

This practical mindset extends beyond his own production. Unlike many artists who rely on engineers to finalize their tracks, ALTO mixes and masters everything himself. “I’ve never paid for a mixdown,” he says. “I just sit in my room with my MacBook and two speakers and figure it out.” He believes that mastering your own tracks is crucial to developing a signature sound, and that obsessing over expensive studios is unnecessary. “Nobody cares if you made a track in a $100,000 studio or your bedroom. Good music is good music.”

The Debate on Sample Packs

His views on using sample packs and loops reflect the same no-nonsense attitude. “Go ahead and use them—why not?” he says. “Not everyone can afford expensive synths and outboard gear. Should they not be allowed to make music? Let people create however they want.” For ALTO, gatekeeping has no place in dance music. He sees production as a numbers game—make tracks, put them out, and see what sticks.

From Underground Raves to Major Venues

ALTO’s journey as a DJ began in the most DIY way possible: at 16, he and 200 friends rented out a venue and threw a large scale, yet completely underage rave. “You’ll never top your first gig,” he says. “That feeling is impossible to recreate.” But the venues and crowds have only grown since then. Now, he’s played some of the UK’s most respected clubs, from Studio 338 to E1 to Lab11, sharing the booth with names he once admired from afar. “It’s mad going from playing in front of your mates at 16 to being in front of thousands of people.”

Dreaming Bigger

When it comes to dream venues, Ibiza holds a special place in his heart. Tantra in particular stands out as a favorite spot to play, but looking ahead, his top goal for 2025 is to debut in the U.S. After that, Spain and the rest of Europe are next on the list.

Label Recognition and Breakout Success

His recent success has also caught the attention of some of the biggest labels in the game, thanks in part to strong DJ support and viral traction on social media. Many of his tracks have been championed by high-profile DJs, leading to increased recognition and opportunities to connect with influential figures in the industry. His current favorites include Drop Low and Deeperfect, but his top three targets are Cutting Heads, Solid Grooves, and Paradise—all of which have already supported his tracks. “I’ve got some connections there, so I’m excited to send them music and see what happens.”

ALTO’s breakout track “Downstream” exemplifies his entire ethos. It started with a simple vocal find, a stripped-back instrumental, and a commitment to keeping things clean and effective. He sent it out, and before long, it was being played out by international DJ’s on the largest scale.

Hard Work Pays Off

For all his technical insights and production philosophies, ALTO ultimately credits his success to relentless hard work. "I’d rather be sitting there tweaking a bassline for hours than doing anything else," he laughs. "It’s mad to see how far that dedication has taken me… To get to the top, you need to be a nerd. You have to love music, eat, breathe, and sleep it. You have to look harder than everyone else, work harder than everyone else.” And now, at just 22, he’s seeing the payoff of that dedication. “It’s mad to see how many people support me now. You never think it’s gonna be you that makes it, but if you stay loyal to the craft, it can happen.”

Staying Grounded

Despite the rapid rise, ALTO remains grounded. "I remember what it’s like to be on the other side of the booth," he says. "I never want to lose that connection." He’s not one to take himself too seriously, always cracking jokes and making people laugh. “I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not,” he says. And that authenticity—both in personality and in sound—is exactly what makes ALTO one of the most exciting names in the next wave of dance music.

The team at Coat Check is excited to follow ALTO’s journey as he continues to push his sound forward. Keep an eye on him—this is just the beginning.