Hernan Cattaneo stands as one of the most respected figures in the underground scene, and speaking with him is an opportunity we could not miss.
We sat down with him right after his energetic set at Jenja Club Jakarta.
During his second appearance at Jenja Jakarta, we noticed a clear shift in his musical approach.
Hernan Cattaneo admitted that he played a bit of House last year.
This time, he focused on Progressive sounds with darker tones.
In the first hour, he tried to build a connection with the room.
“I called it lock the room,” he said, and the crowd responded surprisingly well.
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The Difference Situation Now and Then
As the popularity of Techno and Progressive continues to rise in Jakarta, Hernan looked back on his early days in the city.
He remembered how different the scene felt 15 years ago, when he first came to Indonesia.
“Probably they need more exposure for this kind of music,” said Hernan.
Because of that, he gave major credit to Jenja Jakarta for pushing the scene forward.
One reason is the strength of Jenja’s resident DJs.
After traveling to many countries, he noticed that some crowds enjoyed the music and others did not.
“Most of the time, it was because the DJ didn’t play the right stuff,” he said.
He added that such a situation never happened at Jenja Jakarta.
For him, all of Jenja’s residents maintain top-level quality.
“International DJ come with certain amount of time, but the local (resident DJ) are the one that expose the music to the crowd every week,” said Hernan.
He continued by praising Angga and Alex, who performed as residents that night.
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Hernan Cattaneo Reflecting on His Career
When reflecting on his career, Hernan shared that he started at the age of 12.
“When I was started, it was a completely different world. Not only the music scene, but the whole world was different!” said Hernan.
Over the years, technology also evolved. DJs once played with vinyl, and now most artists use flash drives.
“One thing that never change is your music identity. That will take you everywhere,” said Hernan.
In the past, only a few people chose to become DJs.
Today, millions can start the craft because the internet provides easier access and visibility.
He believes every major DJ has a signature sound that sets them apart.
“Trends change every year. If you follow it, you won’t be a star. Nobody is going to take you seriously. Musical identity is important because it’s what you do best,” said Hernan.
To wrap up the interview, we asked him to describe himself in three words.
“Passion. Hard work. Little talent,” said Hernan with a big smile.
We wish him the best in everything ahead.
