Interview With International Artist illo Timo

Hi illo Timo! How are you?

I’m grateful and blessed to be doing this, thanks for asking. To be honest, I have had a great start this year, and doing something like this is truly a blessing.

Where are you from?

This is a hard question to answer simply because I was born in Germany to a German mother and a Spanish father, and what I usually tell people is that it depends on the day, I feel more Spanish or German.

Currently, I’m back to one of my original roots which is Spain, specifically Málaga, after having spent 4 years in the heart of Chicago and one in Iowa.

How did you get into music?

I come from a very musical family, music has always been part of my life story in general. I can’t think of an instance in which I didn’t have my radio on, or cassettes running in my walkman, or me singing or beating pots and pans. 

I started recording my first songs at the age of 10, with free-to-use beats from YouTube and other sites. Then I started playing the drums at the age of 12 which opened my eyes and ears even more to rhythms and musical patterns. By the age of 15, I was dabbling with beat-making after having had some of my music taken down due to copyright issues. 

Long story short I started in 2015 to fully mix, master, and produce all my music, beats and vocals. Which is what you can now find in my Spotify and Apple catalog.

What is your greatest achievement as a musician?

My music has been like a therapeutic outlet for myself since I started, so when people come to me, and tell me that my music has helped them through hard times, this is what I would consider as my greatest achievement as an artist. 

When I started putting my music out there I told my wife “Even if my music just reaches one person, I would be more than happy with that” and I keep to this statement. I believe that it all has a higher purpose than just entertainment. 

What are 3 or more words that describe your music?

As of lately, I would say that one of the answers I get the most to this question is, Laidback / Chill. But I would add that this is all mixed with some hard-hitting truth and conscious bars. Followed by an array of multicultural/multilingual styles, flows and trends.

What do you want people to take away after listening to your music?

That you are not alone and that you should be free to express yourself and put yourself out there, feelings should not be hidden but expressed. I believe in a way of life, and if you follow it that is cool, but if not, no worries, maybe you can find the way somehow, but don’t sleep on it, time passes and you don’t want to live regretting it.

Who inspires you the most musically?

First and foremost God, he gave me these talents. Then I would also have to add my wife, she is the one that pushes me the most to get more and more out there, she truly plays a big role in my music.

But all and all I could write a book answering this question, there are truly lots of artists that inspire me in very different ways, each one with something specific. As of lately I have been listening to a lot of CHH such as:

Nobigdyl, Andy Mineo, Social Club Misfits, Parris Chariz, Angie Rose, Jon Keith, 1k Phew, Wande. )I literally just checked my recently played artists on Spotify)

Who is one artist you wish you could work with?

To be honest, any of the ones mentioned in the previous question, but I would like to add, Gabby Callwood, Wxlf, Tommy Royale, IMRSQD. All of these are truly amazing at what they do, and I believe I could add to what they are bringing, but all and all I’m open to talk to anyone who has an idea, don’t be afraid to hit me up.

Tell us about any new music you have coming out? When is it coming out? What is it about?

This year I’m focusing a lot of my time on collabs, international and local, starting this February 18th I will be having my first official U.S collab coming out with Xay Hill. This song embraces you with an intimate, open, and laid back catchy hook sung in Spanish followed by deep lyrics both Spanish and English that reference the hardships of life, and the feeling of overcoming them. 

I’m also doing a series of small one-minute tracks that are fully produced from scratch, recorded and released with small videos on Reels and Tik Tok @illotimo, which you should definitely check out.

Anything else you want the audience to know about you?

Keep your eyes and ears open because this year illo Timo is coming to stay and make a difference. De aqui al planeta entero (From here to the whole world).

Follow illo Timo on Instagram: @illotimo

Check out his music on Spotify: