Silvie Loto on Groove, Growth & the Hypnotic Heat of “Cabana”

“Cabana” feels like the perfect summer cut – hypnotic yet full of groove with those tribal percussive touches, sturdy low end and tension-building break. What was the inspiration behind the track and what was your creative process like in bringing it to life?

I started “Cabana” the way I usually begin most of my tracks, with the drums and the groove. That’s always my foundation. Once that core is locked in, everything else starts to fall into place. From there, I tend to work pretty intuitively, almost like I’m cooking — the groove is the main dish, and everything else is a side that complements it.

I didn’t really have a specific direction in mind for this track, it was a very free, spontaneous process. At one point, I started experimenting with some jazzy chord stabs, nothing too complex, just a few warm, moody chords to give it a bit of emotional texture.

In the end, it turned into this dreamy, rolling groove that reminded me a lot of the vibe from some old Cécille records — hypnotic, a little raw, but still very danceable.

How did the collaboration with Cécille Records come about? What drew you to working with the label for their Summer 25 Compilation?

The collaboration felt really natural on my end, I’ve been a huge fan of Cécille since the very beginning of my career. The label definitely helped shape my sound. I used to collect all their vinyl, and each release holds so many memories for me. I can still feel the emotions I had back then just listening to those tracks.

So now, being able to hold a Cécille record with my name on it… it’s a big moment. My younger self wouldn’t believe it! I’m also really happy to see the label making such a strong comeback. I love everything they’ve been putting out lately, and I play a lot of their recent releases in my sets. When I finished “Cabana,” it just felt right for Cécille. It had that vibe I always loved from them.

Have you been road testing “Cabana” in your sets recently? How have crowds been responding to it? Has there been a particularly special moment when you dropped it that stands out?

Yes, I’ve been playing “Cabana” in my sets for the past few months, and the response has been amazing. One moment that really stands out was during the Solid Grooves party in Barcelona for OFF Week. That was definitely my favourite — it was a daytime set with incredible energy, the crowd were fully connected, and the vibe just clicked perfectly when I dropped the track.

There’s something special about playing your own unreleased music and seeing people react in real time. It gives you that instant feedback, and with “Cabana,” I could feel it resonating with the crowd every time.

Who are some producers or artists currently inspiring you? Any recent discoveries that you’ve been drawing energy from?

I’m definitely inspired by a lot of old-school music, especially the 90s house scene. That era had such a distinct, soulful vibe that still influences my sound today. I love how it combined energy, groove, and emotion in a way that feels timeless. The groove of the tracks from Kerri Chandler or Todd Terry, for example, it’s a big inspiration in the studio for me.

At the same time, I’m always on the lookout for fresh sounds and new talent. Recently, I love some of the emerging producers from Amsterdam, they’re bringing a lot of innovation to the scene while still staying true to the roots of house music. Many of them are also part of the Cécille crew, like Easttown, Rooléh, Simon Kidzoo. It’s great to see that blend of old-school influence and new-school creativity.

For those discovering your music through “Cabana,” how would you describe your current sound and how it’s evolved in recent years?

Even if my sound has a clear identity, I like to keep it open and evolving. I’ve never liked putting myself in a box — as a producer and as a DJ, I’m constantly evolving. My inspirations shift, sometimes even from week to week, depending on what I’m feeling in the studio.

That said, there are a couple of elements that consistently define my music, regardless of the style: groove and a warm, driving bassline. Those are always at the core of what I do. “Cabana” definitely has both of those, but it’s also a bit more elegant and dreamy than some of my other tracks. I love it because it reminds me of summer, in a peaceful, almost cinematic way.

The summer is in full swing – which upcoming gigs or events are you most excited about and why?

I’m really excited to be playing at Hï Ibiza for the first time on July 29th, for The Martinez Brothers party. Hï is one of the few iconic venues in Ibiza I hadn’t played yet, so it feels like a special milestone.

I’m also looking forward to a few shows in Italy, which always feel like home to me. In August, I’ll be playing in Puglia with the NoArt crew, that includes a B2B I regularly play, something people in Italy have really been waiting for, so I know the energy will be amazing. I’ll also be heading to Sardinia and Sicily, which I’ve been missing for a while now.

And then in early September, I’ll be making my debut at Fabrik Madrid, which is another huge one for me. Plus, there’s something exciting brewing in Milan in September — a project I’ve been working on for quite some time now. Can’t wait to share more soon!

Finally, with “Cabana” landing on such a key compilation, what else can we expect from you in the coming months in terms of new releases or projects?

I’m really happy to be returning to another label I love — Cuttin’ Headz. I have a two-track EP coming out there in August, and I’m super excited about how it’s sounding.

I’m also working on another EP that’s still in the process of finding its home, but I have a label in mind, and I’m hopeful it will land there soon. Lots of music in the pipeline, and I can’t wait to start sharing more.

I love this process of constantly experimenting and staying open to new directions. It’s a bit of an ongoing journey.