Hernan Cattaneo is a Buenos Aires-born DJ and producer who works in progressive house and related club styles. He is inspired by Chicago house records brought back from the United States by a friend, including music by Frankie Knuckles and Inner City, and he describes his own sound as deep, progressive, funky and tribal house.

Career

In 1996, Cattaneo wins a residency at Clubland Pacha in Buenos Aires. His sets bring him attention across Latin America, and he plays alongside visiting DJs including Sasha, John Digweed, Dave Seaman and Paul Oakenfold. After hearing him, Oakenfold signs him to Perfecto Records, and the two tour together in Europe and the United States from 1997 to 1999.

By 2000, Cattaneo becomes a major figure on the international club circuit. His underground Clubland Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 releases help build his profile, and a DJ magazine issue releases one of his mixes, Funky, Deep & Tribal, in 2001. In 2002 he produces the track “Deep Funk”, releases his first mix compilation, Perfecto Presents South America, on Perfecto Records, and wins Best Newcomer DJ at the Pacha Ibiza Awards.

Mixes, compilations and touring

After his first compilation, Cattaneo plays around 200 shows a year across every continent. His profile rises in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll to number 22 and then to number 6. He also appears repeatedly on John Digweed’s Kiss 100 Show, and he presents a weekly residency show in London that is broadcast on MetroDance 95.1 FM in Buenos Aires every Saturday.

In early 2004, he follows his first mix compilation with Renaissance Master’s Series Volume One and tours extensively to promote it. In early 2005 he releases Renaissance Master’s Series Volume 2. His fourth compilation, and third for Renaissance, is Sequential.

Production, remixes and label work

In 2005, Cattaneo releases “Warsaw” on John Digweed’s Bedrock Records and works on remixes with John Tonks. He is also associated with Sudbeat and says that his own label is intended to feature DJ and producer talent from around the world, with a particular focus on South America.

Influence and support for other artists

Cattaneo supports South American producers and DJs including Oliverio, MOS, Deep Mariano and Martín García. He is also known for introducing lesser-known tracks in his mixes, often using pre-release material made available to him by the producers.