How did you get started?
I remember it was very early; at age 14. I was at a record store listening to some vinyls and a person approached me with a question: ‘what is your relationship with music?’ Automatically my answer was I love it! That same weekend [he] called me to work in his company, which was responsible for the music at the best events in the area. At that time I had no idea how to play music so my first steps were transporting loudspeakers and connecting equipment. There I began to see up close what the profession of a DJ was about.

What influences you and your sound?
The truth is that I have influences from all kinds of music. From an early age in my home and at my grandparents’ house, music was leading, and the styles were very different. Pop, rock, disco, tango, jazz, soul, classical. Sounds weird but I was never a fan of any band. I had a great passion, and still have, to hear DJs. My friends were going to concerts to see their favorite bands while I went out to hear DJs. They were the ones that really influenced me. For me, the real communicators. I always liked to hear mainstream DJs and the ones performing in underground clubs and more rare places in the city, where I listened to house and techno “retro-futuristic” music, which at that time only a few Argentinean DJs mixed it.

It was there that really started my love for electronic music. At that time there was no Internet in Argentina and it was very difficult to get those sounds which caught my attention at the weekend, so I started working in one of the most important DJ record stores in the city, where I got in touch with cutting-edge music. Every day listening to music, that was paradise for me!

What’s your favourite piece of music to play? What’s your go-to track?
Today there is so much good music that I find it very difficult to choose a single track. I always choose tracks or sounds that have something to my attention and convey something to me. In this case I’ll be resident every Friday at Rocca and surely there will be some inevitable tracks to mark the identity of the night, the place and party style. We will discover these tracks along with people attending.

This is your first trip to Qatar! What sort of reaction are you expecting in Doha?
First of all I hope people that come have a good time, dancing, enjoying a meeting people, laughing, carried away by the music. This is very good for all aspects of the night. I’m waiting for an audience with an open mind, ready to go with the different climates and spaces that will be generated. I expect a positive attitude and will do everything in my power to achieve that goal!

What’s your guilty pleasure track? You know, that song you’re slightly embarrassed about on your iPod?
I rarely listen to music on my iPod. Sometimes I use it when I go running or to the gym and take the opportunity to hear songs or sets from other DJs. I hear music during the week that is related to my work and when I have free time it’s rare to hear something. What I can tell you and something that people do not realize, is that sometimes in my spare time I listen to a radio that puts classical music all day. When I was younger I was not paying any attention to this music, but a few years ago I started a true love affair with this genre.

What sets you apart from other DJs?
It is difficult for me to answer this question. I think this is a question for the people who will come and listen to me. They are the ones who see the difference with other DJs. I can tell you from my side, whenever I play music, I try to express through my sessions how I feel about this profession, my love for music, my dedication and my passion.
DJ Santiago Vittorelli plays at Rocca every Friday night from 9pm-2am. Free entrance before 10.30pm, QR50 after with last entry at 1am. No membership required. 4448 1272