It was Meant To Be for these new South American superstars
Words : Dan Prince
Ortzy, Nico welcome to DMCWORLD Magazine. Massive new tune swinging our way next week ‘Meant To Be’ that features vocalist Giuseppe Viola – your third release of 2013 already (!!)…which we shall come to later. But let’s get some background on two of the South American hottest artists at the moment. You were introduced by a mutual friend and decided to start making some music together, but when did this EDM adventure begin for you both – who were the artists and DJs that first started to grab your attention when you were growing up in your respective countries?
Nico: “Growing up, I´ve been a fanatic of some Rock and Roll bands, such as Guns And Roses, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi and U2. They were my inspiration to get into the music industry. Of course I began to DJ when I heard one specific DJ playing these songs from these Rock and Roll bands, but dance music versions. His name? Paul Oakenfold. When I saw him playing songs from U2, which made the crowd go crazy with his remixes, I said to myself “I want to be like him!”
Ortzy: “For me was a little bit simpler. When I went to my first EDM event Mauro Piccoto was playing, and I just couldn’t believe how one man was making 5,000 people dance. The show, the crowd and the energy that was there was just amazing. That was the moment that I decide to become a DJ.”
You have quite a unique approach to entering the studio. A carton of cigarettes, a box of Red Bull and a load of crazy plugins. Why do you think you compliment each other so well in the studio and who takes care of what part of a new track?
“Nico always makes the melodies and chooses the correct vocals, and Ortzy builds a huge base line. Together, we then think of a good drop. Most of the time it’s like this, but sometimes it changes when one of us comes up with a great idea for the track we’re working on.”
You have no qualms where you want your music heard; big rooms and massive festivals. ‘Cubic’, ‘Meant To Be’ and ‘Something About You’ are all proper large audience monsters full of energy and filthy beats. Last summer saw dancefloors pounding to your remix of Chuckie’s ‘Who Is Ready To Jump’ and you went onto further projects with the Dutch madman in the studio. That must have been on crazy studio – how did your techniques gel with Chuckie’s crazy synths and stuff?
“When Chuckie sent us the parts of “Who Is Ready To Jump” we looked at each other and at the same time we said “He is fucking crazy, what the fuck are we going to do with these crazy vocals?” So we thought of something that would be huge for the festivals and the inspiration came along. Working with him is easy. Chuckie is a very fast producer and he has so many quick ideas to add onto the Ableton. The most beautiful thing about producing with him is that we have nice energy all together when we sit down and make music.”
South America is going through the roof at the moment with major artists clamoring for gigs in Brazil, Argentina and beyond. Two of the big residencies you are currently holding down are Pacha and Crobar in Buenos Aires. Tell us about these clubs and crowds…
“Argentina definitely has held a place for EDM for years. Every Friday you can find international DJs at Crobar as well as at PACHA on Saturday’s. More and more music festivals are descending into Buenos Aires such as Creamfields and Ultra Music Festival to name a few. The South American crowds are one of the best in the world. Everybody knows the songs the DJ’s are playing, and they all party hard until the very end of the night. No one leaves the club before 7:00AM. Brazil is the biggest country to work in, in South America. They have at least ten cities with an EDM scene. So when you come to this country as a DJ, you can build a huge tour. They also pay the artists very well here.”
An interesting quote from you Nico recently; “People who aren’t from here, don’t really gauge just how difficult it is for South American’s to break and make it internationally.” Surely though with the emergence of major festivals, huge touring DJs and in internet spreading the word…things must be getting easier?
“Technology has definitely made this a lot easier, since everything you want to know is on the Internet. If you want to build a track with the synths that Afrojack used in “XXX track” you can go onto YouTube and it’s there. If you need the contacts of the A&R on the record labels you go onto Google, and there it is. So basically these days you can find whatever you’re looking for when it comes to EDM, which is a lot easier and different than ten years ago. Back then, you had to buy vinyls, which were expensive and everything wasn’t as easy to access. Now everyone can buy music for two dollars or even download it for free.”
Your music has been supported by some serious heavyweight stars, Roger Sanchez, Fedde Le Grand, David Guetta and Erick Morillo all giving you big thumbs up. It must have been quite a surprise when you leant that Sanchez had made a bootleg of ‘Loose Control’…?
“Yes of course! It was a nice surprise! It was an even better surprise when a few months after, he came to play at PACHA Buenos Aires, and we opened for him. We then spent some time with him for a few days. It’s very rewarding for us to gain the support from the biggest artists in the EDM scene. Whether they are playing our tracks live, or are including them on their charts, we are very grateful.”
You spend so much time travelling and working with each other. If you could change one thing about each other what would it be?
Nico: “I take my partner how he is! Sometimes we fight like a couple! Hahaha and that’s not so good. It’s always for the best of HIIO. It´s impossible to think the same every time, but we respect each other and that’s the best thing we have. One thing I would change about Ortzy, is make him relax a bit more, instead of work, work, work.
Orzty: “One thing I’d change about Nico is to wake him up earlier and to stop smoking, Haha.”
Who are some of the other quality producers we should be watching out from South America in 2013?
“John Dish (Colombia) and Mario Fischetti (Brazil)”
What is the best record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Steve Angello – Knas.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
HIIO & John Dish – Cubic (Original Mix)
HIIO Feat. Lauren Rose – Bring Me (Original Mix)
HIIO Feat. Terri B! – Something About You (D.O.N.S. Remix)
Dannic – Clobber (Original Club Mix)
R3hab & Shermanology – Living 4 The City (Plastik Funk Remix)
Jewelz & Scott Sparks – Flashbang (Original Mix)
Muzzaik & Dave Martin – Let´s Go (Original Club Mix)
Chuckie & Junxterjack – Make Some Noise (Original Mix)
Fedde Le Grand – RAW (Original Mix)
The Aston Shuffle – Sunrise (WON´T GET LOST) (Tommy Trash Remix)
We hear there are plans to come over to Europe in the summer to DJ for us…?
“If you book us, of course we will J Hahaha. Yes, we have plans for Ibiza and the surrounding area.”
And finally, what is next on the HIIO studio agenda…?
“We have two new collaborations with Colombia producer John Dish, an amazing banger with vocals from Abigail Bailey, and another commercial track with vocals from Max C. Stay tuned in the upcoming months, because HIIO has lots coming your way. Thank you for the interview. It was a pleasure talking with DMCWORLD.”
New single “Meant To Be” featuring Giuseooe Viola is out on February 25th
http://soundcloud.com/hiio/hiio-feat-giuseppe-viola-meant
Video of “Something About You” featuring Terri B
http://www.hiio.net
http://www.ortzy.com
http://nicohamuy.com
http://soundcloud.com/hiio
