Hernan Cattaneo, Simply City, and Dougal Fox unite to discuss their recent collaboration on the remix of Dougal’s track ‘Intimate Spaces.’ The trio offers insights into their creative process and reflects on the ever-changing landscape of electronic music.
Photo credit: Hernán Cattáneo / Simply City / Dougal Fox – Official
Hernan Cattaneo, a legendary figure in progressive house, brings his wealth of experience from decades of touring and producing. Simply City, known for his residency at Montreal’s renowned Stereo club, offers his perspective on balancing studio work with live performances. Dougal Fox, the creator of the original track, provides insight into the artistic vision behind ‘Intimate Spaces’ and his upcoming projects.
Throughout the interview, the artists delve into various topics, including the significance of vinyl releases in the digital age, the impact of AI on music production, and their views on the current state of the electronic music scene. Their responses reveal not only their passion for music but also their thoughtful approach to navigating the industry’s challenges and opportunities.
From discussing their long-standing friendships to sharing exciting future plans, this interview offers readers an intimate look into the minds of these influential artists. Join us as we explore the creative synergy, mutual respect, and forward-thinking attitudes that define these artists.
EG: Hi, guys! Welcome back to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Hernan Cattaneo: Hey there, I’m home for a week off after some heavy touring in Europe, Central America, and Mexico. Next is a US tour and some great gigs in Mendoza, Argentina.
Simply City: Hello! Hope you guys are doing well! Thanks for the opportunity to talk a little bit about me and this amazing new release. I have been doing great! Enjoying studio time, family & as usual, my dear residency at Stereo in Montreal that I have held for more than a decade. Currently, I’m in my home in Montreal, Canada, actually right now in my dream studio that I recently built in the basement getting ready to lock down for another very cold Canadian winter.
Dougal Fox: It’s a pleasure to be back, thank you for having me. I am currently in Portugal on the brink of moving into my new studio. It’s been a long road with having recently moved here, and so I am very much looking forward to having a creative environment and a strong 2025 with new music and compositions.
EG: So, first of all, congratulations on the release of the highly anticipated Hernan Cattaneo & Simply City Remix of Dougal’s ‘Intimate Spaces’! You must be stoked to have this one out to finally share with everyone. What are some of your initial feelings now that it’s out? Do you guys remember the first time this was played live?
Hernan Cattaneo: I remember Cesar shared the original with me and said he thought we could remix it—There were some elements that I really liked and thought that adding our groove could make a cool alternative mix to that great original.
Simply City: Thank you so much! It’s always such a thrill to see a new release finally come to life. Hernan and I have poured so much dedication, love, and passion into every track we have done together, so we’re beyond excited for this one to be released soon.
The first time I played it was for my birthday celebration at Stereo, where I did an all-night-long set this past September, a 10-hour set. It was during one of the most magical moments of the night that I dropped it, and the dance floor just erupted with pure joy. To be able to play what we’ve created in my hometown, in my home that is Stereo, surrounded by my people, the Stereoheads—it’s a feeling that’s beyond words. And to experience it on the best sound system in the world? That’s just next level. Pure magic!
Dougal Fox: Watching Hernan’s live video playing the record from his recent Piknik Electronic festival set in Montreal was incredible—to see both the reaction of the people and also to know the record has a life outside of the studio room.
EG: So, guys, how did this remix come to be? Hernan… Cesar… what was it about the original take that drew you into remixing it?
Hernan Cattaneo: As I said, the original is a great track, full of cool elements, and these are the easier ones to work with because there are many things you can get to use on top of your own groove.
Simply City: From my perspective, I always approach projects by looking at the bigger picture, meaning, who I’ll be working with, the vibe of the label, and, of course, the producers behind the original track and the label team as a whole. It’s essential for me to feel comfortable and aligned energy-wise. So, this started for me when Glenn Morrison (Ray of Light’s head of A&R for Dougal) reached out with this request, I was truly flattered and humbled. For me, Glenn is one of those incredible Canadian talents, a real wizard, so I was like, hold on, is he reaching out to me to work on something? Wow. What started as a professional connection quickly blossomed into a great friendship in a very short time, with the potential for some exciting surprises down the road (not going to spoil here). Musically, the original track needs to resonate deeply with me, and from the moment I heard it, I was instantly drawn to its elements, the subtle echoic vocals, and that captivating main hook. It sparked an idea right away. I called Hernan, sent him the original, and without missing a beat, he was on board, saying, “Yes, this element is great! We should do this and that!” That’s when we decided to take on the remix. From there, it was our usual back-and-forth creative process, refining it until we felt it was just right. And here we are, excited to share the final result!
EG: And Dougal… what was it that made you think that Hernán & Cesar were the right names to put a new spin on ‘Intimate Space’?
Dougal Fox: This track had a certain energy and feel that I thought would appeal to both Hernan & Simply City. The track itself was very special to me—I was looking for a club spin on the original and boy did they deliver a masterpiece.
“Watching Hernan’s live video playing the record from his recent Piknik Electronic festival set in Montreal was incredible—to see both the reaction of the people and also to know the record has a life outside of the studio room.”
EG: Obviously, you guys go back a long way… so, what was the process for this one like? Were you able to do some bits in person, or was it more of a “file-sharing” thing?
Hernán Cattáneo: We know each other from long, long ago. We played together, we made music together and we are dear friends so it’s always very natural to do things together.
Simply City: The process for this collaboration, and all the work Hernan and I have done together has always been super straightforward. Hernan will come to me with an original track, I’ll listen to it, and if it clicks, we’re on board. It works the same the other way around. Everything with him just feels so fluid and effortless.
Living in Montreal while Hernan is constantly traveling the world means that our work is all done remotely. It’s a back-and-forth process until we’re both happy with the result. Since Hernan is on the road playing way more than I am, he is the one who road-tests our tracks, playing them at his gigs. He’ll come back with feedback, or I’ll catch a video from one of his sets over the weekend, and it’s always such a thrill to see him drop our music and watch the crowd react. That’s the best kind of validation!
I honestly couldn’t be happier working with Hernan. The first time we met was back in the late ’90s, I was opening or closing for him during his visits to Chile when I was living there, and I had a residency for the biggest promoters in town. Fast forward to 2012, we reunited in Montreal at Stereo when I got my first booking to open for him there. That gig not only earned me a residency until these days, but it also started a beautiful yearly tradition between us that shakes the city of Montreal every March.
Over the years, we’ve grown from acquaintances to close friends, and now, partners in music. It’s truly surreal that someone I’ve looked up to as my hero has become like family. I have nothing but love and respect for Hernan, he is an incredible person with a huge heart, he loves music like I do, every time I need a wise word he will always be there even with his tight schedule, he would save a 30-minute call for me, his perspective on things is something admirable, and with so much experience I can tell him 2 words he would know the rest, mind-blowing! I’m incredibly grateful for all the ways he’s supported me over the years, always encouraging me and helping me gain more exposure. I couldn’t ask for a better friend on this journey, especially in an industry where true friends are so rare and hard to come by that I can count them on one hand.
EG: It’s also worth noting that the remix is limitedly available in vinyl via Ray Of Light Records. What does it mean to you guys to keep this format alive? Does it make it a bit more special in these digital times?
Simply City: Thank you so much for that question! Honestly, it means the world to us. There’s something truly magical about keeping the vinyl format alive, especially in a time where everything is so digital and instant. When I started DJing back in the ’90s it was the only format available. Along the years I used to have a 6000-record collection that I lost in a hurricane when I was living in Mexico, so vinyl was a big part of my life, it is how I learned to DJ, so after that tragedy, I had no more option than to go digital. For Hernan and me, releasing on vinyl adds a special layer of depth and connection to the music, it feels more tangible, more personal.
There’s nothing like holding that physical record in your hand, feeling the weight of it, and knowing that it’s been crafted with so much love. It’s a piece of art in itself. Plus, for those who collect vinyl, it’s almost like a treasure hunt. It brings back that excitement of discovering music in its purest form. We’re truly grateful to Ray Of Light Records, and thank you to Glenn and Dougal for believing in this project and giving us the chance to release it on vinyl. It’s an honor to be part of something that celebrates the roots of our craft while sharing it with those who still cherish this format. It definitely makes the release feel even more special, and we couldn’t be happier to see our music pressed on wax for the true enthusiasts out there. Thank you for allowing us to share this moment, it’s one we’ll cherish deeply!
Dougal Fox: Music is a form of art and like so many great works of art, it should be admired in the present but also hold in the testament of time. This was the main vision for Ray of Light, to become a physical label. In this increasing age of digital media content and the sheer amount of music being released each day, we are just overwhelmed with music choices. The goal was simple, to handpick the best-crafted music each season and have this skillfully translated to rare pigment vinyl on a limited-edition pressing run. This not only gave the artists’ fans something tangible to cherish and hold but also it is a gift to the artists themselves as a testament to their high-quality songwriting and art.
EG: Since we’ve got you in the studio, how do you guys feel about the rise of AI in music? Do you think this is one of those things that can drive the scene forward? Or will it eventually lead to more generic-sounding music?
Hernan Cattaneo: I think, like in everything else, AI in the right hands will be amazing and in the cheeky ones will be very harmful.
Simply City: That’s a really great question and one that’s definitely on the minds of many artists these days. Honestly, from a very human perspective, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, the rise of AI in music is incredibly fascinating. I have been using it a lot to help my processes and creativity. For example, on my last release on Sudbeat, which is Hernan’s label, called ‘Sound Sanctuary’.
This track was inspired by Stereo Montreal, where this female vocal is talking to you about welcoming you to the Sanctuary of Sound. All the speech was written by me, but the vocals were AI-generated. Then I tweaked the tone and texture I wanted to have, playing with transients to make it sound more human, as I was lacking a vocalist and it also saved me from licensing or paying a vocalist to be in the studio. I believe that AI can open up new creative possibilities, spark ideas, and even help streamline certain aspects of the production process. It’s a tool that I use thoughtfully, and I believe it can definitely drive the scene forward and inspire artists to explore new territories if used in the right way. However, there’s a part of me that feels that music is, at its core, deeply human—it’s about emotion, connection, and translating those intangible feelings into sound. When I think about the tracks that have truly moved me, it’s not just about how perfectly they were produced; it’s about the soul behind them, the little imperfections, the human touch that brings it to life. This just reminded me of the last concert I went to—‘Hans Zimmer Live’. Wow! So while I think AI has a place in music and can be an exciting and useful tool, I also believe we all need to be careful not to lose that human essence. There’s an imminent risk that relying too much on AI could lead to music that feels more mechanical and less personal. At the end of the day, I think the beauty of music lies in the stories we tell, the emotions we convey, and the unique touch that each artist brings. AI can be an amazing companion, but it shouldn’t replace the human heart at the center of it all.
Dougal Fox: I believe AI will enhance the creative ability for producing music. With AI, there needs to be an input of data with which to work, so there will always be a human element to the creative process. Music is an art form which I hope will continue to be expressed in every possible way.
EG: And how do you feel about the current state of the scene in general? Have we strayed too far from our origins, or is everything just a part of the normal course of evolution? Is the line between DJing and entertainment blurring even further?
Hernán Cattáneo: It is way bigger now and there are many different niches. The super big money machine scene is massive but has got nothing to do with what we do. Luckily, good music is still played, but we have to push a lot to keep the young up-and-coming talent surviving in an Instagram world.
Simply City: That’s such an important question, and as a very old-school mindset guy, it’s something I’ve reflected on a lot. The scene has been constantly evolving, and in many ways, I think it’s a natural and necessary part of its growth. We’re in a place right now where technology and social media have completely changed how people experience music and our underground culture. On one side, it’s amazing to see how global and accessible it has become; someone on the other side of the world can connect with a set I played last weekend or a release I just did, and that’s incredible. I remember back in the day I needed to send a fax from Chile to the record store located in New York to get a few orders of records that would take a month to arrive.
Now, at the same time, I do feel there’s a shift happening. In the early days, it was all about the music, the connection, being “in the moment,” and that shared energy between the DJ and the crowd. It was less about ‘putting on a show’ and more about creating a journey together. Now, with so much emphasis on visuals, branding, VIP, confetti, cakes, and exaggerated demanded social presence, it sometimes feels like the focus has moved away from the music itself. I would love to do a parenthesis here and tell you that even though we are living in these times, I am so lucky and grateful to be able to play at Stereo Montreal as a resident and still have “that feeling” of the early days, as this club is probably the only club I know nowadays that’s keeping all those values together alive.
That said, I don’t think we have gone too far from our origins. This is all just part of the natural evolution of the scene. Of course, the line between DJing and entertainment might be blurred, but I see it as an opportunity for artists to be even more creative and to find new ways to connect with their audiences. As I mentioned, I’m very old school, so I have issues with making those “Hey Guys!!!” Instagram videos. At the end of the day, though, what really matters is the music, the moments on the dancefloor without a phone in your hands, and that indescribable feeling when the entire room is in sync. If we can hold onto that, while embracing new changes, I think the scene will continue to thrive.
Now it’s up to us, as artists as a whole, even more to the big artists that drive the scene nowadays—the ones that people look up to—to keep the soul of it alive, to remember why they/we started in the first place, and to stay true to that spirit no matter how the scene shifts.
Dougal Fox: It’s definitely changed from the earlier days of clubbing where you could let yourself disconnect and be at one with the music without the need for digital social media and constant use of mobile phones on the dance floors. This is especially true when having huge stages with audiovisual displays, which is blurring the line between music and video entertainment. This is allowing the dance music scene to become more popular by attracting a wider audience, which can be positive for the scene.
“It’s truly surreal that someone I’ve looked up to as my hero has become like family.”
EG: Finally, what can we expect from Hernan Cattaneo, Simply City & Dougal Fox in the next few months? Where can your fans catch you next?
Hernan Cattaneo: I always slow down a bit from mid-December till late February to spend the South American summer with my family. I do only like 8 gigs in that period, and the rest is off.
Simply City: On my side, my DJ year ends here. I am not taking any more requests for gigs until 2025. I am going into a Canadian winter creative vortex in the studio, which I love, with no deadlines, just creative free time. There are plans mostly for original music and, of course, some exciting remix projects and collaborations in the pipeline.
Dougal Fox: I will be performing more shows in Europe starting in the 2025 year, after the completion of my new studio build in Portugal.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, guys! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Hernán Cattáneo: All the best and happy holidays!!
Simply City: Thanks so much for the space provided to talk about a bit of myself, the project, and very interesting topics. Until the next one!
Dougal Fox: My pleasure, thank you for having me.
Dougal Fox’s ‘Intimate Spaces (Hernán Cattáneo & Simply City Remix)’ is now available onRay Of Light Records. Stream and download here.
Follow Hernán Cattaneo: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
Follow Simply City: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
Follow Dougal Fox: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
