Entrevista a Hernan Cattaneo Exclusively for Djscene.lt

Hernan Cattaneo: “Both South Americans and Eastern Europeans share the enthusiasm and the need of going out and expressing yourself” (Exclusively for Djscene.lt)
Submited by: Daina D., 2009 September 08, 00:01
The master is back - one of the most famous exports from Argentina of our times, Hernan Cattaneo, will hit the decks of "Exit" on Friday. Before that - a talk with him about South America, childhood dreams, a new label and even Warsaw.

Do you remember your first encounter with electronic dance music?

Yes, of course. It was via the records of Giorgio Moroder and "Kraftwerk". It all sounded completely different from anything else back then.


When did this music come into Argentina? Were you among the first witnesses of the arrival?

Electronic music arrived to Argentina in the seventies. House music came in the late eighties, and yes, I was one of the first DJs to play that new sound.


When you were a child, what did you think you would do in 2009?


I can honestly say that when I was very young I told my dad that I was going to be a DJ.



What DJ or what show or record made you think that you want to be a DJ as well?


Too many to mention... The whole music scene in general really changed my world. I remember myself constantly thinking about music, records and nothing else.




How much does it take for one to become a master? Talent, hard work, pure success - is there a recipe?



I call a master someone with great talent and experience. Then, to become really successful, you need a great manager.


Was there a moment you realized you're famous?


That is a big word. I prefer to say that I'm well known in the dance music community. When? The awareness of people is never born overnight, it's something you build over the years.



Is Argentina the leader of South American electronic music scene? Who, besides you, are the most significant names in your country and in South America?


Argentina and Brazil are the leading countries, but there are young and good DJs and producers all over the region now. I think Gui Boratto and Luciano are the other big names taking the flag. 



You're known as an eclectic artist. Isn't the variety tiring sometimes? You have to look through much more stuff than you would if you were one style-oriented...


I think it's the other way round. It's tiring to play the same style over and over again. Variety in music means it's rich in styles and sounds. I love music and I'm not lazy listening to it, so it's never a problem to spend six hours a day listening to new stuff. 



You've compiled the 50th album of "Renaissance". Why do you think you were chosen to do that?



Well, I think I've been working with "Renaissance" for long time. I had already had four successful albums with them, and they decided it was a good option. 


Could you compare all these compilations you've made for them?

How different are they and what each of them wanted to say?

They are different in terms that I did them at different moments and electronic music changes too fast. The approach is always the same - to reflect my taste in music at that given moment. There are common denominators in all of them. Deep stuff, melodic, groove, never too hard or too fast.


You've released a track called "Warsaw". Why such a name?


I did that track with John Tonks and we both had recently played in Poland and liked the city.



Your label "Sudbeat" is on from June. I've been reading about you and a label for quite some time, but you were pushing things to a future, and now it's official. Does that mean that you've found time for it, or that a perfect track for releasing came, or you've settled on a concept?


It was because of the time really. I had been doing my radio show every week for 8 years and travelling non stop, so it was a bit difficult before. Now I've quit the radio, so I can spend time on the label. The concept is to give home to music I like. We started with well known names, like Danny Howells, but we'll be pushing new talent too.



The label is digital - so have you already said goodbye to vinyl?

The problem with vinyl is distribution. All the majors have closed now, so it's difficult. You may like it or not, but the future is here and it's digital. So I think, since we've just started, to release music in a format that will be here for long.


South American crowd is often compared to Eastern European crowd. You know both pretty well - why such a comparison?

Yes, they are similar. Both South Americans and Eastern Europeans share the enthusiasm and the need of going out and expressing yourself. These countries do not have the usual European standards so they are not so spoiled. 

What's the biggest crowd you've played for? 

"Creamfields" back home in Argentina.


Is there a city you haven't visited yet as a DJ but would really like to?

I've never been to Thailand, and everyone says it's amazing, so...



Ever thought of running your own club?

Not really. I'm happy with myself being a DJ and a producer. But I'd like to run a radio station someday.


You've been a resident DJ in a Buenos Aires club for quite some time, and being the one that requires warm-up now, what do you think makes one a very good resident DJ?

Since the resident DJ is the "home guy", he really needs to be able to deliver what the club needs at any moment. Open or close the night, or even do the main set if it's necessary - it's a great opportunity to learn a lot about this profession. You can only fail if you don't respect the crowd or other DJs.


What is the most important thing in a club?


The crowd.


You've released a lot of compilations, a handful of remixes, but not that many your own tracks and zero artist albums. Is that because you are firstly a DJ and don't have time to spend it in the studio, or are there other reasons that you don't produce that much?



I never spend as much time in the studio as I want. It's really difficult t when you are in different cities all the time. Anyway, next single on "Sudbeat" includes 4 new tracks with "Soundexile".



What would be pictured on your artist album cover if you released one? What would it be called?


You go too fast! I need to do it first.


The best non-dance music record you've heard this year.

"Machine Dreams" by "Little Dragon" (Coincidentally Hernan is playing in Kaunas on Friday while "Little Dragon" are performing in Vilnius on Saturday! - Djscene.lt).

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Hernan Cattaneo: “Both South Americans and Eastern Europeans share the enthusiasm and the need of going out and expressing yourself� (Exclusively for Djscene.lt)