Otis Kane

Los Angeles-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Vasquez (aka Otis Kane) may have started out behind the mixing desk, but he soon stepped out as a vocalist and R&B artist in his own right. His sound is funky, organic, and highly detailed from years of work as a producer. Kane honed this sound with early singles, his 2021 debut album Purple BLUE, the EP release November Love Notes, and subsequent singles.

Vasquez took an interest in music at a young age and started singing by the age of 10. It wasn't until his football coach -- who had industry connections -- arranged some studio time for him that he caught onto producing. He started studying as a music major but dropped out when given the opportunity to work for <a href="spotify:artist:1l7aiSjBGkQiyTuQYTigAP">Nellee Hooper</a> (<a href="spotify:artist:2sIx6SmAMw9IBySG3Uj0jf">Soul II Soul</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7w29UYBi0qsHi5RTcv3lmA">Björk</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0cQbJU1aAzvbEmTuljWLlF">No Doubt</a>). From there, he forged his own network, which led him to becoming the keyboard player for <a href="spotify:artist:6eaBPggBX1KN8qvw1RxmgV">Lolene</a>'s live band. After a round of touring, he opened his own studio, STRZ Enterprises, working with artists including <a href="spotify:artist:4Rxn7Im3LGfyRkY2FlHhWi">Nick Jonas</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:137W8MRPWKqSmrBGDBFSop">Wiz Khalifa</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:0ZED1XzwlLHW4ZaG4lOT6m">Julia Michaels</a>. He eventually handed over the reins of the studio to focus on production full-time while also taking up singing again under the name Otis Kane. His first songs were released in 2019, and previously released and unreleased singles were issued on EPs like 2020's Therapy and 2021's Growing Pains. His debut album, Purple BLUE, arrived in June of 2021 and included guest appearances from <a href="spotify:artist:79A4RmgwxYGIDkqQDUHLXK">Chloe Angelides</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6i3sYlO1zUHf5IWHpXt4Sl">KALLITECHNIS</a>. A few months later, the EP release November Love Notes offered an addendum of sorts to Purple BLUE, with seven more tracks cut from a similar cloth as the album. November Love Notes was heavier on collaborations, however, with guest spots from <a href="spotify:artist:7g0SC4F149FUX5rKFuSpqL">India Shawn</a>, Krysten Simone, and <a href="spotify:artist:6i3sYlO1zUHf5IWHpXt4Sl">KALLITECHNIS</a>. Over the next few years Kane released several stand-alone tracks, among them 2022's "Free" and the 2023 CLAY collaboration "Good Life." ~ Liam Martin