Hernan Cattaneo is one of the brightest and most deserving stars in the dance music stratosphere. He is beloved by millions of fans and idealized by aspiring DJs and producers throughout the world. His amazingly successful career has taken him on international adventures multiple times with his rigorous touring schedules, but at the end of the day he is still simply a music lover. Hernan’s talent and humility shows his global adoration, compelling his fans across the globe to permanently reserve a special place for him in their hearts.
2009 has proven to be another extremely successful year for Hernan Cattaneo. In early May, Renaissance Recordings released their 50th compilation; quite a triumph for the label. To help celebrate this milestone they again requested Hernan’s mixing and producing expertise. Being asked to do a compilation for Renaissance is an honor for any outstanding DJ, but asked to do a fifth is a privilege only a few can imagine and only Hernan can claim.
Hernan Cattaneo’s talent and success is no secret, however he still goes above and beyond with his compassion and dedication to dance music on all levels. He recently launched his own label Sudbeat, with plans to not only to provide an outlet for his own music and the music of other accomplished peers, but also to provide newer artists an opportunity to step up.
Recently we had the pleasure to catch up with Hernan to discuss his most recent accomplishments and get some thoughts and reflections on his outstanding career.
Congratulations on your release with Renassiance for their 50th compilation! That is quite a monumental celebration for their label, how does it feel to be chosen for such an occasion?
“It feels very nice and of course a privilege. There are only a few brands in the dance music industry that can achieve that kind of accomplishment, while maintaining the artistic level they have on every release. Some of the DJs I like and respect the most, have been working for Renaissance for years, so for me, doing my 5th (and their 50th) compilation, and again a Masters Series makes me feel very happy and proud.”
Being that this release is so monumental, was there anything unique about your plans for the overall feel of the compilation and its track selection?
“For this compilation I decided to take a bigger part on the production side of things and include more of my own collaborations with people like John Tonks, Martin Garcia and Soundexile. We worked in 12 tracks in total; six new original productions, four remixes and two re-edits.
It is very difficult to make a compilation that is still fresh by the time is released (since you record it several months in advance), so I asked some of my favorite producers to write tracks that would not be out until the CD was released. Between those tracks and our own stuff, most of the music is still unheard by the general public.”
Is there a tour planned to promote the compilation?
“Yes of course. I normally tour all year round, but when you launch a new CD you plan a series of nights with the label to present the compilation all over the world. I started with some really good shows in Australia; then moved on to Europe, South America, Asia, finally we will finish in the U.S.”
Congrats on the launch of your new label, Sudbeat. What made you decide to start your own label?
“Thanks! We started June 1st on Beatport with the release of Danny Howells’ “Moon” EP, a track that has been huge in my sets over the last few months. We will soon have releases out by Guy J, Henry Saiz, Marc Marzenit, and some of my own projects with John, Martin and Soundexile. I also get loads of great unreleased music every week, it is a good way of finding new talent for the label. “
At what point in your career did you realize that you had made it, and who are some of the people that helped you get there?
“There are stages in the journey, they are like pit stops along the way, and affect you according to where you are at that moment. When I was an “Argentinean Only” DJ, it felt great to be opening for all the big international players every weekend at Clubland @ Pacha; at the time that was good enough for me. Then after touring the world opening for Oakie, I played the biggest tent at Creamfields Liverpool and moved to London, at that point I thought I had really made it. There are always those moments that you think, yes, NOW I have really made it! Other moments like that for me were my first Essential Mix, The Cover of DJ mag, Number 6 in the DJ chart, and The Masters Series. Finally, you come to realize that the most important thing is the respect and love you earn over the years.
As for help for help along the way, Paul Oakenfold of course! He was the one that opened the international doors for me. Also Cream, who gave me my first residencies in Ibiza and Liverpool. Then John, Sasha, Tenaglia, Seaman, Rampling, Lee Burridge, Sander, Steve Lee, Cass and a long list of other DJs.
As far as non DJs? Martin, my manager, and my agents also helped me all the way to get where I am now, as well as those at Perfecto and Renaissance.”
Do you have any exciting future plans you would like to tell us about? Is there anything else that you would like your fans to know?
“We will stop touring for four weeks, my wife and I are now waiting for our second baby, and then it will be back to DJ life. I am sure once we are back the Renaissance CD, the tour, and the new label will keep me busy for the rest of the year. Then it starts all over again, there are always new clubs to play and exciting destinations to travel to!”
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Thank you Hernan and Congratulations!
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For more Hernan Cattaneo:
> http://www.hernancattaneo.com/
> http://renaissance.com/news.php?NewsID=10
> http://www.myspace.com/sudbeat
Renaissance Masters Series: Hernan Cattaneo Tracklisting:
CD ONE
1. Hakimonu – Jag House 1989
2. Hernan Cattaneo & Soundexile – Modflow
3. Curtis & Estrada – Jetlag (Hernan Cattaneo & Soundexile Remix)
4. Hernan Cattaneo & John Tonks – July
5. Guy Gerber – Stoppage Time (Reshuffle Remix)
6. Hideo Kobayashi – Amarillo
7. Kruse & Nürnberg – Suerte
8. L. Kubic – Voyager
9. Hernan Cattaneo & John Tonks – Fereek
10. Skylark – Interlater (Hernan Cattaneo & Soundexile Remix)
11. Hernan Cattaneo & Soundexile – Sonification
12. Marc Marzenit – Soul Fog
13. Hernan Cattaneo & Soundexile – Pastida
14. Somnus Corporation – Spacer (Hernan Cattaneo Re-edit)
15. Danny Howells – On The Moon
CD TWO
1. Tom Glass – She Shines
2. Applescal – Describe The Doc (Hernan Cattaneo & Martin Garcia Remix)
3. James Zabiela – Human (Hernan Cattaneo & Martin Garcia Re-edit)
4. Martin Garcia – Darwin’s Eye
5. Damabiah – Flower’s Planet (Hernan Cattaneo & Martin Garcia Remix)
6. Hernan Cattaneo & Soundexile – Butterfly Effect
7. Tonecast – Murder & Fingerprints
8. M.O.D.E. – Womb
9. Mutant Clan – Barratat
10. Guy J – Bianca
11. Guy J – Leave Me Alone
12. Mercurio – Buenos Aires
13. Marzenit & Saiz – Second Vision
14. Henry Saiz – They Came From The Light
Bold denotes Hernan Cattaneo album exclusive


How did the event in Bogota go?
As the youngest member inducted into the once infamous Balance Record Pool (at age 24), Darin Epsilon is one of the names who immediately come to mind when discussing the next generation ofsuperstars in the industry. His work has received support from key players such as Hernan Cattaneo, Jody Wisternoff, D:Fuse, Noel Sanger, and a host of others. I recently had a chat with Darin, to discuss his successes, and touch on issues such as piracy, the digital age, and his studio set up.

Given the opportunity, who would you most like to work with?