This week with DJ OTK|DACH (Anastasiya Otkidach)
DJ OTK|DACH hasn’t been DJing for long, but as we find out she’s been involved right in the heart of electronic music for many years. She’s obviously a powerful woman who knows her mind, what she wants and how to get it. Interestingly enough, that would appear to be from, besides music, deep meditation. Let’s find out more.
THE BASICS
Where are you from and how old are you?
I’m from Ukraine, 36 years old.
How long have you been in Bali?
I’ve been connected to Bali for eight years now. Half of that time I also lived in the U.S. – in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. So my path is a mix of Bali’s energy and the rhythm of big cities.
Single or hooked up?
I would say I’m in a very serious relationship with music. It’s not always easy to find someone who truly matches my values and energy, and I prefer not to settle. Right now, I feel grateful and happy being fully devoted to music.
How did you first get into electronic music? Was there a certain moment it all made sense?
When I was 17, I started working with the main team behind the largest festival in Ukraine – Kazantip. For seven years, I was part of the team that created that magic. Back then, I had no plans of becoming a DJ, but it was the moment when electronic music touched me deeply and became part of my life.
Who is your greatest influence in DJing or electronic music?
I’m inspired less by specific names and more by the energy I experience: the people, the atmosphere, the way music connects everyone without words. But the biggest influence for me was definitely the Kazantip festival. That’s where I met some of the world’s top DJs, and it was also where my musical taste truly took shape. Beyond the music itself, it gave me a powerful sense of freedom, connection, and unity with people. I feel that Kazantip made one of the strongest contributions to who I am as an artist today.
What do you think makes electronic music so good?
For me, it’s pure frequency. It’s about connection, vibration, and presence in the moment. Music is a language that everyone can feel.
Do you produce music?
I’m working on it. I don’t want to rush the process, when the time is right, I’ll share it. Stay tuned.
How long have you been a DJ and how would you describe your music?
I’ve been DJing officially for two years. At the beginning, my friend convinced me to try and I honestly resisted, because it seemed like “everyone is a DJ.” But from the very first time behind the decks, I couldn’t stop. For me, DJing is not just nightlife, it’s a way to transmit energy, to lift people onto a higher frequency, and even for myself to enter a meditative state. My sound is melodic, emotional, and powerful, but always with a story inside.
What’s your favourite area in Bali to hang out (day-time)?
I love the mountains and the cooler air of the north. I feel more myself in calm, quiet places. I also love to travel, sometimes I just take off on my own. Recently, for example, I went to Japan alone and spent days walking in silence. These kinds of solo trips give me peace and help me recharge and get inspired.
Photo by @rosellvisual
What’s your favourite place in Bali at night (where you don’t work)?
It depends. Sometimes I prefer simple evenings with close friends, other times I enjoy discovering venues with a good sound system.
What do you do in your spare time? Any other interests?
I’ve been meditating since I was six years old, and meditation remains an important part of my life. Silence and stillness are very precious to me, that’s how I restore my energy. I also enjoy photography, writing, and developing concepts for new projects. I even have my own clothing brand, which is another way for me to express creativity.
Tell me something about these futuristic images (above).
We are building a bunker in London. An AI project. These are visuals of how I imagine and manifest my future performances, the kind of stages and energy I want to bring. Of course, they can also be references for potential parties in such venues, but mainly it’s my vision of where I’m heading. Manifesting.
Can I ask about your hat? Is that something new, and what’s the significance of that particular one?
At first it was just a cute hat, but then it naturally connected with my brand and with the new project I want to reveal soon. It’s not just a bear, it’s a POLAR bear, and that perfectly reflects what I stand for: polarity, duality,- BALANCE. My whole concept is about contrasts: light and dark, softness and strength, chaos and order. Balance itself. The polar bear became a symbol of that energy – powerful, rare, and thriving in the cold. And I really love the cold. For many years, even back in school, people used to call me the “Ice Queen” because I was never emotional with guys and always stayed cold-hearted to them. Maybe I actually belong to Iceland or Antarctica.
Photo at Savaya by @asdbochari
Where are you a resident, or regular DJ?
I’m a resident at Miss Fish in Bali. At the same time, I often play internationally, in the U.S., Turkey, Dubai, and other places. I feel grateful for these opportunities to connect with different cultures through music. Right now, I’m also working on a bigger project that I’ll be sharing soon, and I hope it will bring something meaningful to people.
