He is also a trained anthropologist. Along these lines, he's made in-depth academic studies of Middle Eastern music and instruments. His oud instructor was the famed composer and oud master Hamza el Din. Stott is also a proficient guitarist, bassist, percussionist, and keyboardist. He first established himself as producer and member of Stellamara in the late 1990s, and with Lumin in the early part of the 21st century. He has continued to work intermittently with both projects. He also produced offerings from MC Rai and Qadim -- to name just two -- and has done numerous remixes, including works for Natacha Atlas and Gaudi. Stott also contributed tracks to the SIMS video game series. He is a widely celebrated DJ and has performed globally, sharing stages with everyone from Thievery Corporation to Cheb I Sabbah to Dub Gabriel. Stott served as the house DJ at the "Hookadome" -- part of the annual Burning Man Festival -- between 2007 and 2011. He made his solo recording debut for Six Degrees in 2007 with the EP Souk Sonik, and followed it with the full-length Arab-music and beats-drenched Saracen in 2008. Arcana, his tenth album overall and his third for the label under his own name, was released in the spring of 2012. ~ Thom Jurek