LOTI (Lord Of The Isles), the Edinburgh-based DJ, producer, sound designer, and label owner, also known as Neil McDonald, has crafted a unique sonic identity that transports listeners to other realms. Making his mark with the 2011 breakout track “Ultraviolet,” he has since developed an atmospheric and melodic style that effortlessly shifts between techno, house, electronica, and contemplative ambient. His music has been featured on labels such as ESP Institute, AD 93, Firecracker, Lapsus, Permanent Vacation, Beats In Space, Mule Musiq, and his own Dusk Delay. As a DJ and live performer, LOTI has graced stages from Panorama Bar and Fabric to Club Montjuic in Barcelona, Nitsa, Lux Fragil, Sub Club, and even the Sydney Opera House.
McDonald’s journey into music was deeply influenced by sci-fi art, synthpop, electro, early hip-hop, and soul, with outdoor raves and legendary nights at Edinburgh’s club Pure shaping his love for techno and Detroit’s sounds. His painterly productions, influenced by travels, Highland walks, and musical mavericks like Basic Channel and Boards of Canada, blend lush synth chords with subtle arrangements, creating immersive atmospheres. His use of hardware synths, modular equipment, and found sounds adds a rich, textured quality to his work, making each track a vivid auditory experience.
For Orb Podcast 080, LOTI aimed to create a mix that combines high tempo with deep emotion. His selection reflects his desire for a dynamic, flowing mix that moves the body while unfolding a narrative, featuring the likes of Skee Mask, Kangding Ray, DJ Metatron, and John Beltran, among others.
Tracklist
01. Wesobad – Duo
02. Malin – Trumma Dub
03. Skee Mask – Matchpoint
04. Michael J Blood – A Bend In The River
05. Ideodelika – Schoenberg
06. Kangding Ray – Polar
07. See Mask – Double Standard
08. RDS – 224
09. Maarten Mittendor – Superintendence
10. Human Space Machine – Lyf
11. DJ Metatron – We Are Almost There
12. Rainforest Spirit Enslavement – Metallic Rain
13. Neel – Deep Quarantine
14. John Beltran – Highway
15. Priori – Winged (Priori Reprise)
