Some tracks are built for impact. Others leave a mark because of what they carry beneath the surface. Gai Barone’s ‘Macula’ belongs to that second category, a piece shaped by instinct, emotion, and the beauty of imperfection.
Photo credit: Gai Barone / Hernán Cattáneo / Simply City – Official
Released through Univack, the track later opened the door to a collaborative remix by Hernán Cattáneo and Simply City, giving it a fresh club dimension while preserving the feeling that made the original so striking in the first place.
What followed was more than a remix. It became a shared conversation between artists who deeply respect one another, and a reminder that the strongest records often come from trust, sensitivity, and a real connection to the music. Here, Gai Barone, Hernán Cattáneo, César of Simply City, and Univack’s Nacho speak on the birth of ‘Macula’, the story behind its title, the process of rebuilding it, and the bond that helped bring the project fully to life.
EG: ‘Macula’ feels deeply emotional and human. Where did the track begin for you?
Gai Barone: Most of the time, I do not have one clear source of inspiration when I create music. Over the last few years, I have mainly focused on the passion for it, and I simply let it flow the way it wants to go.
EG: The title says a lot. What does ‘Macula’ mean to you, and why did it feel right for this piece?
Gai Barone: I had been listening to some old music from the seventies, and I was thinking about how music today can sometimes feel almost too perfect in terms of frequencies, loudness, and numbers in general. ‘Macula’ means “spot,” an imperfection that, in many cases, makes things feel more human in my eyes and even more interesting. ‘Macula’ was an imperfect track. I did not even quantize the main lead. I simply wanted it to have a more human feeling, which is not perfect, but very special.
EG: When the original first landed in your hands, what was the reaction?
Hernán Cattáneo: I have been a big fan of Gai for a long time, and he is always part of my sets. I cannot remember a single track of his that I did not like. Definitely one of the best in the scene. So it was an easy choice when they told me about the project, and it also felt great to return to Univack, which is a label I really like.
Simply City (César): I was instantly hooked. I started playing the original in all my sets, constantly drawing inspiration from it and imagining how a new version could come to life. It almost felt like a personal challenge because the original is so incredible that even trying to get close to that level felt both inspiring and humbling.
Univack (Nacho): Honestly, I was almost in shock. Gai and I had agreed to build a new EP for Univack with two original tracks, and ‘Macula’ was the first one he sent. I was immediately captivated. I could not believe how amazing it was. It felt like a truly epic, evocative, and emotional journey. I think I listened to it about ten times in a row. After that, I had the idea of sending the track to Hernán and César to see if it would inspire them to create their own version. I was completely sure they would love the idea.
EG: At what point did it become clear that this was the track you wanted to rebuild together?
Hernán Cattáneo: César and I have done many remixes together, and since we know each other really well, the dynamic is very simple. I send him a few rough groove ideas, he builds the first demo, and then we go back and forth, adding the top elements and shaping the arrangement until it is ready to test.
Simply City (César): We have developed a way of working that feels very natural and effective for us. The label usually sends over a selection of original tracks, and we take the time to listen carefully. For us, the right choice is always the one that truly connects, something that gets under our skin and speaks to us on a deeper level.
From there, we start imagining the groove, and it becomes a back-and-forth process where ideas grow gradually. We shape an initial sketch, refine it together, and eventually bring it to a version that feels ready for the dancefloor. Hernán is always the first to test it, which feels right given his experience and how much time he spends playing. There is no better way to understand how it translates.
Throughout the process, everything was built around the main melody, which in this case is simply beautiful.
“‘Macula’ was an imperfect track. I did not even quantize the main lead. I simply wanted it to have a more human feeling, which is not perfect, but very special”
EG: Where did the remix prove itself for the first time?
Hernán Cattáneo: Stereo. No better place to test a track.
Simply City (César): I have not played it myself yet, but Hernán blew our minds with it at Stereo a few weeks back. In that moment, we realized it was done.
Gai Barone: I was actually in my car when I heard it, and it completely blew my mind.
EG: This was not just a remix; it became a shared process. What made that collaboration work so well?
Hernán Cattáneo: As I have said many times, I am not a full producer. I have many ideas, but I cannot do everything by myself; it would take me six months. It is also really fun to work with friends like César and share the experience.
Simply City (César): For me, it makes the whole experience very special. I genuinely enjoy the process of working together, especially with someone I deeply admire and who has inspired me for so many years. First and foremost, I am a music lover, so what moves me most is that feeling when something truly connects on an emotional level. Being able to share that process and build something together from that place makes it even more meaningful and enjoyable. I believe those emotions naturally find their way into the final piece.
There is something very beautiful about exchanging ideas, letting them grow, and learning along the way. It never feels like work. It feels like a moment we get to live together through the music.
On a personal level, I feel incredibly grateful. The fact that Hernán chooses to do this with me, to have my name alongside his, is something I do not take for granted at all. It is a very generous gesture, and one that means a lot to me, both professionally and personally. Beyond the music, what I value most is the friendship. He has always made me feel like family, and that is something I will always carry with me.
EG: What was it like hearing the finished version once everything clicked into place?
Gai Barone: The remix is so rich and powerful, and it has a soul. It adds some proper weight to the original version. I am pretty sure we will hear it a lot during the summer. Also, when I saw some videos of Hernán playing it on Sunset Strip and those people dancing to it, it was something unbelievable. The crowd reaction was so powerful, so beautiful. They were dancing to an emotion that was originally created in a tiny home studio in Italy.
From my side, it is not only euphoria, but it is also gratitude. Thanks to Hernán for taking us there with you, and of course to César and Univack for making this happen.
EG: Why did Univack feel like the right home for ‘Macula’?
Gai Barone: I decided to release ‘Macula’ on Univack because it is a label I truly appreciate, both for the quality of its releases and for its clear identity. What stands out to me is the way they work with artists, with care, respect, and genuine attention to their creativity. It is a label that truly values music and the people behind it, and for that reason, it felt like the right place to release this track.
EG: Before a track reaches the crowd, does it need to make you dance first?
Hernán Cattáneo: If it does not make me dance, then it is not right.
Simply City (César): Not a dancer at all, but the only place I dance is in the studio, so yes.
Gai Barone: I always do it, actually. It is something that just happens. I do not know how to explain it, but it happens even in my studio when I am producing music.
“There is something very beautiful about exchanging ideas, letting them grow, and learning along the way. It never feels like work. It feels like a moment we get to live together through the music”
EG: Beyond the music, what do you appreciate most about each other?
Hernán Cattáneo: César and I are both South American, so we have a lot in common. And Gai is Italian, and since many Argentinians have Italian roots, many things connect us as well.
Simply City (César): An interesting thing about Hernán is that he has an amazing memory. For Gai, I would say that as a producer, he is a true storyteller. As for Univack, they are a very professional team to work with, very passionate, and they really appreciate the work we put in. One of my favorites.
Gai Barone: The fact that I feel so lucky to be surrounded by amazing artists who live and feel the music the way I do, accepting me as part of a family, with transparency, humbleness, and deep gratitude.
Univack (Nacho): I am very grateful to have Gai, Hernán, and César as part of the Univack family. We have already built several projects together, always with outstanding quality and fantastic results. Working with them is easy and truly special. They show that, beyond being excellent artists, they are wonderful people: very humble, approachable, and highly professional. A remarkable human quality that is reflected in the way they are, how they communicate, how they work, and of course, in their music.
Gai Barone’s ‘Macula’ is out now on Univack. Stream and download here.
Follow Gai Barone: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
Follow Simply City: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
Follow Hernán Cattáneo: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
