For Argentinean-born icon Hernan Cattaneo, it’s all about a journey. “There are a few common denominators to my music,” Cattaneo tells inthemix when we track him down on the other side of the world. “It has to be groovy, have nice basslines, be melodic, have a nice atmosphere and contain emotional elements. John Digweed and Sasha will go all night building their set. I am amazed at how they go – creating the atmosphere with the same track. But you learn how to create moments across the night: building the moments, building the tension. You have to learn these things.”

Cattaneo has long been a favourite on the Australian dance scene, where his steadfast technique, tidy productions and set programming strikes a particular chord. “Australians understand my music so well and I know what Australia likes,” he says. “Australia is in my heart – there are so many great producers there: Anthony Pappa first made Australia famous for me. And Luke Chable and Jamie Stevens are amongst my favourite producers. I admire Australian music so much. The best moments are when I am sharing my music: they are such rewarding moments, and why I do what I do.”

Cattaneo’s musical path started at the age of seven. “My big hobby was sharing music. I used to listen to my older sister’s music and make mixtapes and share them with my friends.” Tracks from Simply Red, Depeche Mode and New Order would be sent amongst his friends while he combed Billboard Magazine for the latest upcoming releases.

But it was a collection of Chicago house records featuring the likes of Frankie Knuckles, Derrick May and Inner City from a friend’s trip to New York that inspired his journey as a DJ. Cattaneo perfected his craft of his seamless mixing and ordered sets, quickly landing him a residency at Clubland Pacha, Buenos Aires. At Clubland Pacha, he would play alongside greats like Sasha, John Digweed, Dave Seaman and Paul Oakenfold. Oakenfold was especially impressed, immediately signing the DJ to his record label Perfecto Records and whisking him away on a tour across Europe and the States.

Cattaneo’s first compilations Clubland Volumes 1 and 2 were released consecutively in 2000 and 2001, with Ministry Magazine also releasing his mix Funky, Deep and Tribal. The mix would push him into the limelight. Soon, the world became very interested in this emerging DJ/producer.