OTTTO have never been a band afraid to dive headfirst into chaos, but on their new Sweaty Pool EP, the Venice-based trio stretch further into the abstract than ever before. Coming off 2023’s Life Is a Game, bassist Tye Trujillo says the band felt an urge to break from the straight-ahead punch of their earlier work and explore a sound that’s more unpredictable, more experimental — and a lot more fun.
“With Life Is a Game, we were shooting more for kind of a straight-up sound, more like a straight-to-the-point type of style,” Tye explains. “While this Sweaty Pool EP — we wanted it to be a little more different and kind of abstract. So I think it’s a little more out the box than Life Is a Game, which is pretty cool.”
Much of that growth came from the band’s continued partnership with producer Tim Harkins, who Tye says has become an essential extension of OTTTO’s creative DNA. “He did the first two records, and there’s just a certain chemistry we have with him,” he says. “His ideas that he brings to the table are really complimentary to our songs. I think it really brings the best out of us.”
That chemistry laid the groundwork for the EP’s explosive title track, which features none other than punk-rock legend Nick Oliveri. Known for his work with Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, and Mondo Generator, Oliveri delivers a feral vocal performance that matches the track’s unhinged energy.
“We reached out to him… we were all aware because we grew up listening to that stuff,” Tye says. The band had already built the song around a warped, slap-driven bassline. “We were like, well, who can we get on the song — something maybe with a little bit of edge. So Nick came to mind, and then we reached out and yeah, it all came together perfectly.”
Another standout moment arrives with “Canyon,” a riff-heavy detour into grunge and alt-rock territory that channels shades of Soundgarden and early Queens of the Stone Age without sacrificing OTTTO’s signature bite. “I’d say that track is a really kind of power-groove kind of tune,” Tye explains. “It’s definitely grunge and alternative inspired… a nice balance between a little bit of everything in the OTTTO sound.”
With a breakout year behind them — from viral press moments to collaborations with metal royalty — OTTTO are entering 2026 sharper, weirder, and hungrier than ever. “We’re going to be constantly writing stuff,” Tye says. “Just staying busy and staying creative for the next year.”
If Sweaty Pool is any indication, that creative streak is nowhere near running dry.
Watch Skratch N Sniff’s full interview with Tye Trujillo below!
https://youtu.be/mcpJucVnlOc?si=SbJ5HvdCNjjXwrxh