ANOTR

Dutch Minimalism, Global Groove, and the Art of Modern House Music

Foundations: Names, Origins, and Early Life

ANOTR consists of:

• Jesse van der Heijden (born 1992, The Netherlands)
• Oguzhan Guney (born 1993, The Netherlands)

Both artists were raised in the Netherlands, a nation whose electronic lineage includes pioneers of trance, techno, and progressive house.

While detailed information about their parents and siblings remains largely private—a reflection of their preference for artistic focus over celebrity culture—both members have spoken about growing up in musically curious households where rhythm and experimentation were encouraged.

Jesse van der Heijden gravitated early toward rhythm and composition, exploring percussion and groove-based music. Oguzhan Guney, of Turkish heritage, absorbed a wide range of cultural influences that expanded his sonic vocabulary beyond Western electronic frameworks. Their multicultural environment in the Netherlands—particularly the fertile club scenes of Amsterdam and surrounding cities—served as an informal conservatory.

Neither artist is widely documented as having followed a strictly classical academic music path. Instead, their education came through obsessive listening, club immersion, and studio experimentation. Like many producers of their generation, they were self-taught craftsmen shaped by digital production tools and dance-floor feedback.

Formation of ANOTR: A Meeting of Musical Minds

The duo formed in the mid-2010s, united by a shared dissatisfaction with formulaic EDM drops and an ambition to restore groove-centric authenticity to house music. They adopted the name “ANOTR” (a stylized contraction of “another”) to reflect their intention to offer “another” perspective—subtle, deep, and rhythm-driven.

Their early releases quickly gained traction in European underground circuits. Unlike the maximalist festival sound dominating mainstream EDM at the time, ANOTR’s productions leaned into:

• Minimal percussion
• Elastic basslines
• Jazzy textures
• Carefully structured tension and release

Their tracks began appearing in DJ sets across Ibiza, London, Berlin, and Amsterdam—earning them credibility within discerning house circles.

Breakthrough and Global Recognition

ANOTR’s international recognition accelerated through releases on respected underground labels and a relentless touring schedule. Their performances at iconic venues and festivals positioned them not as fleeting trend-makers, but as serious contributors to modern house culture.

Key career milestones include:

• Consistent Beatport chart placements
• Appearances at major European festivals
• Expansion into North and South American touring circuits
• Development of hybrid live-DJ performances incorporating live instruments

Their sets became known for musical storytelling rather than abrupt sonic impact. This approach resonated particularly with club audiences seeking immersion rather than spectacle.

Musical Style and Influences

ANOTR’s sound reflects a tapestry of influences:

• Classic Chicago and Detroit house
• European minimal techno
• Jazz improvisation
• Soul and funk grooves
• 1970s disco rhythm structures

They frequently reference the importance of groove as a living organism within music. Rather than constructing tracks around climactic drops, they build evolving rhythmic landscapes.

Their later work incorporated live instrumentation—guitars, analog synths, and organic percussion—marking a maturation beyond purely digital production.

Discography Overview

While house artists often prioritize EPs and singles over traditional albums, ANOTR has developed a substantial body of work.

Selected Projects

On A Trip represented a significant artistic pivot—integrating live instrumentation and a more introspective sonic palette while maintaining dance-floor utility.

Production and Collaboration

ANOTR has collaborated with vocalists and instrumentalists across genres, expanding their reach beyond club DJ culture. Their production work often emphasizes:

• Live jam sessions
• Organic bass recording
• Collaborative songwriting

They have also remixed tracks for fellow house and tech-house artists, contributing to cross-pollination within the genre.

Cultural Contributions and Industry Impact

ANOTR’s significance lies in their role within a broader shift in electronic music:

1. Revival of Minimal House Aesthetics
   At a time when EDM was dominated by explosive festival drops, ANOTR helped redirect attention toward groove-driven subtlety.
2. Hybrid Live Performance
   By incorporating live instrumentation into DJ sets, they blurred the line between producer and band.
3. Lifestyle and Community Branding
   Their events and curated shows emphasize intimacy, artistic integrity, and collective experience.
4. Dutch Electronic Evolution
   While the Netherlands is globally associated with big-room EDM and trance, ANOTR has highlighted its deep-house and minimal undercurrents.

Challenges and Industry Navigation

Like many underground artists, ANOTR faced the challenge of differentiating themselves in a saturated electronic market. The dominance of mainstream EDM during their early years posed obstacles for artists pursuing subtler sounds.

Additionally, the global pandemic disrupted touring schedules—a primary revenue and exposure channel for electronic acts. However, ANOTR adapted by focusing on studio innovation and live-streamed performances, emerging with a renewed artistic direction.

Public Persona and Personal Life

ANOTR maintains a relatively private personal life. Unlike celebrity-driven pop acts, their public image centers on artistry rather than tabloid visibility. Interviews suggest a shared philosophy grounded in discipline, creative experimentation, and cultural openness.

Oguzhan Guney’s multicultural heritage and Jesse van der Heijden’s rhythmic sensibility converge in a sound that transcends national boundaries.

Their aesthetic—often minimalist and understated—mirrors their music: refined, deliberate, and groove-focused.

Recent Activities (2023–2026)

In recent years, ANOTR has continued to expand globally, performing across Europe, the Americas, and parts of Asia. Their releases increasingly showcase analog warmth and jazz-influenced textures.

They remain active in shaping the evolving house landscape, collaborating with emerging vocalists and instrumentalists while maintaining their signature rhythmic identity.

Awards and Recognition

While underground house artists rarely dominate mainstream award ceremonies, ANOTR has achieved:

Legacy and Long-Term Impact

ANOTR’s enduring contribution to electronic music lies in restraint. In a genre often equated with excess, they champion groove, nuance, and musical depth.

They have:

• Helped popularize modern minimal house globally
• Elevated live instrumentation within DJ culture
• Demonstrated that subtlety can command global stages

For newcomers to EDM, ANOTR serves as an entry point into the deeper currents of house music—where rhythm is patient, basslines breathe, and the dance floor becomes a shared human pulse rather than a spectacle.