Master At Work

Argentina's Hernán Cattáneo saved 'prog' back in the 2000s, introducing elements of techno, house and deep grooves. So revered in Melbourne is the DJ/producer that he's scheduled to play an epic, five hour-plus set at The Prince this month. “I really enjoy playing long sets,” Cattáneo affirms. “I'm not doing them every weekend, but every now and then, when there's a very good place or crowd, like in Melbourne, I pride myself on doing a long set.” 

Cattáneo has DJed in some improbable venues – one of them Liverpool Cathedral, the world's fifth biggest, in 2011, alongside Danny Howells. The gothic revival building survived German bombing in WWII and survived the rave. The gig was, Cattáneo says, “mindblowing”.

Cattáneo's interest in music began with New Wave acts like Depeche Mode in the '80s. But it was discovering Chicago house and Detroit techno that prompted him to DJ. Cattáneo secured an important residency at Buenos Aires Clubland. Here, he impressed visiting DJs such as Sasha, John Digweed and Paul Oakenfold. Oakey did much to expose Cattáneo outside of South America, issuing his music through Perfecto. And Cattáneo forged an alliance with the Liverpool club brand Cream. He eventually launched his own label empire Sudbeat in 2009.

Cattáneo has circulated countless singles and mix-CDs (the last his 2012 volume in Renaissance's Masters Series), but is yet to cut an 'artist' album – although 2010's compilation Parallel came close, being stacked with his own productions. “The original Parallel was maybe intended to be only my productions or remixes of stuff, but then the problem is I like music a lot! I don't have a big ego, so I don't mind sharing the credits.” Cattáneo admits that he's been “thinking about” an LP. “This is something I'm gonna end up doing sooner or later – maybe next year or maybe the other. I'm definitely gonna make an 'artist' album soon.” In the meantime, Sudbeat will release its first album from Israel's Guy Mantzur. And Cattáneo plans a label comp: “The label is growing very nicely, so we are very happy with it.”

Cattáneo is invariably touted as an ambassador for South America's burgeoning dance scene, but he actually resides in Barcelona, Spain, with his young family. The city is more convenient for a globetrotting DJ. Yet he returns home often – not only to play, but also to take his wife and kids for a visit. “Of course, you miss it and at some point, some day, I will go back to live there.” Indeed, when not travelling, or at home administrating Sudbeat, plotting his radio show, or checking out new music, Cattáneo is about his three daughters, all aged six and under. “They keep me very busy,” he says. “I spend time with them – taking them to school, or to the park or to the swimming pool or whatever we can do – and make sure that they have all the love they need. I enjoy that a lot.”