Santi Mossman [Interview]

Argentinean DJ and Producer Santi Mossman has achieved much success across his fifteen year career. John Digweed took a liking to his remix of Guy Gerber – Timing, playing it live in Beirut. The show was also broadcast live on the famous radio show Transitions. Hernán Cattáneo would play Santi's tracks on several occasions on his radio show Resident and live for Moonpark on two occasions. He would also include his rework of Guy J – Esperanza in his compilation for the prestigious label Balance Music. His remix of Henry Saiz – Of Muses & Slaves would be released shortly thereafter by Natura Sonoris, included in two of his Labyrinths and played by the legendary Sasha in his Avalon mix.

This week finds Santi returning after a four-year hiatus with a new EP 'Nebula' for Flown Records.

Progressive Astronaut caught up with Santi to learn more about the release of 'Nebula', his background, electronic music in the Argentina, DJing, and much more. Enjoy

Hi Santi, thanks for talking to us today. How has your year been so far?

Hi guys! First of all, thank you for giving me the space to chat with you. Well, it's been really good, a year with many changes but everything is super positive.

How did growing up in Argentina influence your music taste and direction? Or did it all?

I grew up in an environment full of music, where I have memories that when I was 4 years old I was already playing percussion with my father. In the following years I performed many times with him and his music group. Argentina is a country with a very strong passion for music. I had the opportunity to grow up around big events like Moonpark in Costa Salguero, and those nights where Hernan Cattaneo was the main DJ, which were very important for me.

What are some of your best memories from first going to clubs? Were there specific nights or sets that really made you feel you wanted to pursue electronic music?

One night, without meaning to, I ended up in the electronic music section of a very large club. I was fascinated by the show and the control the DJ had over everything that was happening that night. I spent hours watching everything he was doing. The next day I was getting information from everything I found on Google to take my first steps haha.

When we ask most artists what is responsible for the popularity of progressive music in Argentina the overwhelming answer is Hernan Cattaneo, would that be your feeling also? And if so please speak on that, also to add to that, who else from Argentina inspired you when you first discovered the music.

Yes, of course, Hernan is the most important reference for our scene today, he was and is for me today as well. His musical selection, his way of mixing and his professionalism is what makes him an example to follow for all of us who like electronic music. And for the second question, I could tell you that Martin Garcia was another of my great references in my beginnings. His groove and neatness was something that I really enjoyed a lot.

Your upcoming release on Flown Records marks your return to releasing music after a four-year hiatus, so please tell us what have you been up to since your last release and why has there been such a long absence?

That's right, Nebula EP with Flown Records materializes my return to music after a 4-year break. It's a bit complicated to express my absence, but I can tell you that I was experimenting with different paths and after a while I realized that music would always be my passion, so I decided to bet 100% of my time on this again.

What was it that brought you back to wanting to put new music out?

There were many reasons, but mainly it was the love for music. It is something that connects me with myself, and today I feel that I am in a different moment of my life to be able to enjoy the whole process.

Let’s talk about your ‘Nebula’ EP for Flown Records now, please tell us a bit about the release and how it showcases your current sound. Given your long absence I'm curious how recently these tracks were produced? Are these something you’ve done recently?

Nebula and Solar Resonance are the most recent tracks on the EP, both of which I finished between January and February of this year 2024. Forward, on the other hand, is something I had done in mid-2023 and I always knew I would find a label for it. I always kept it very dearly.

What is your favourite track from the EP and why?

My favorite track from the EP is Nebula. Not only because of its sound and the final result, but because at the time I was producing it in the studio, I was going through a difficult but important week for me from a personal point of view.

So, having not released any music in four years you choose to do this project with Flown Records, why was the label the right choice for your return?

I had been following all their releases closely and was very aware of the essence with which the label works and how well they were doing in all their steps. I am very happy to be part of this team.

These tracks really show your versatility as an artist I think as they are not typically progressive. Do you ever get caught up in thinking about having to stick to a certain sound to appease the current trends in electronic music?

I never liked to follow trends, I always went with what I felt. If I had to define my tastes, they will always be sounds based on progressive house - techno. They are my two favorite genres and this sound will always be present in my productions and live performances.

Now let’s talk about DJing for a moment, you were one of Argentina’s well established progressive house DJs, holding a residency at Sky and having performed alongside Eagles & Butterflies, Mike Griego, Simon Vuarambon and many others, so tell us what your approach to DJing is? How do you go about programming a set?

It depends a lot on the type of performance I'm doing, but I usually separate all my music by intensity into 2 or 3 folders and try to listen to all my tracks enough to get to know them. I work a lot the week before on the entire music selection.

I use iTunes to put together my playlists and listen to the tracks, and then I upload everything to rekordbox to work a little more in detail.

Can you tell me a bit about how your work as a DJ has influenced your view of music, your way of listening to tracks and perhaps also, your work as a producer?

These are two things that go hand in hand. Being able to see the production of a track with the vision of how it would sound live and how to mix it with other tracks allows you to give it a different development and possibly make it easier for other DJs when mixing it. It's not that it's something exclusive, but it is something that adds a lot.

How much prep do you put into the sets you play, or are they spontaneous for the most part?

They are spontaneous for the most part. I do like to try out mixes and different possibilities in the studio. If I see that these work well, I remember them for my live performances. You can have a great plan for that night, but when you are live everything changes.

What’s a book you’ve read or film you watched that has left an impact on you, and why?

Whiplash is a movie I recommend to all music lovers. Although I think it is taken to the extreme in many aspects, it shows how with dedication and effort anything can be achieved.

If you were not a DJ/Producer what do you think you’d be doing with your life?

Something related to art and creativity is definitely one of my works. I really like photography, so I think it could be another one of my works.

What TV series have you been enjoying recently and what are some of your all time favourites?

I'm currently watching Game of Thrones for the second time. It's one of those series that has so many details that it's worth watching it a second time to fully understand everything that happens.

Apart from music, what makes you happiest?

I've been traveling through Europe for a month now and it will be extended for two more months. Getting to know other cultures, other cities it's something that's making me very happy.  Being able to share time with all my loved ones and playing tennis are some of the things I enjoy the most.

What can we look forward to from yourself and pad for the rest of 2024?

I'll probably be on a compilation with a new original later this year. I'll also be playing shows in Barcelona and in some other clubs in Buenos Aires and the interior of Argentina.

'Nebula' is available now via Flown Records: https://tinyurl.com/yyzzf7ta