NANO: the art of the long trip and his 7 hours of techno

There are artists who build their path within the Argentine underground techno scene through consistency, identity, and a deep relationship with music. One of those cases is NANO, DJ and founder of Retorica Records, who this Friday faces a particular challenge: an uninterrupted 7-hour set, designed as a complete sound journey.

In this chat, we review his journey, his vision of dancefloor-oriented hypnotic techno, and how he prepares for an extended set where narrative and energy play a central role.

From the beginnings to the present

Considering that you have been working in music for years, how were your early years in the industry? How did you start and what made you stay?

“I started about 10 years ago with a group of friends. We formed Unterwelt, a collective of DJs with monthly parties, and a year later we also launched the record label.

We were six friends who got into this world almost at the same time, we bought the setup and the sound system, so we threw parties all the time, we played a lot, and we met almost every day to try out new music. We learned a lot in that era and developed our own sound as a team.

I took my time to start playing and producing, after a lot of exploration. When I started, I already knew what I liked and how I wanted to develop it.

I think what always made me stay is the genuine and intense passion I feel for music. For me, playing or producing is traveling direct to the present; it is my grounding force.”

Evolution and learning

How has been your personal evolution from when you started to today?

“Since I started I haven't stopped, and I feel I have evolved immensely. Today I make a living from music; I have my label, my studio, and my academy, and for five years I have been traveling to play abroad several times a year.

I was able to establish consistency in the local scene and release my music in digital and vinyl formats, which later led me to perform in countries like Germany, Spain, Scotland, Colombia, Uruguay, and Chile, meeting incredible people along the way.

Today I feel very focused and with the same desire to keep learning from this path. There are things I understood that only time, experience, and a constant search can give you.”

Identity in a changing scene

Was there any key decision that led you to where you are today?

“I think staying true to who I am and what I do. With consistency, effort, and dedication as fundamental pillars.

Trends change all the time, but it is important not to get carried away by fads and to hold our essence above everything else, as it is what defines who we are and what we transmit. I believe that to evolve we must reinvent ourselves constantly, but without ceasing to be ourselves.”

Sound and evolution within techno

What did your sound look like at the beginning and how did it evolve?

“I always liked techno in its most classic state. Today there are more subgenres than ever, but my preference was always quite purist.

My sound evolved within a hypnotic and deep universe. With groove as the conceptual axis and euphoria as a choice. Defined by the constant construction between mental introspection and energy on the dance floor.

Immersing myself fully into playing with vinyl also helped me a lot to open up my sound spectrum and not close myself off to just one style. It marked a very strong evolution in me, both technically and musically.”

NANO, DJ and curator: two sides of the same vision

Does your sound as a DJ link with your role as a curator at Retórica?

“Absolutely. Retórica is my space where I can define an identity and a sound that aligns with my vision of techno. In my sessions, I also try to convey that same perspective.”

Body and mind: the balance

How do you define the balance between dancefloor music and conceptual music?

“Both are fundamental. My style seeks to attack the mind with the conceptual, but also the body through energy on the dancefloor.

My proposal is defined by layered constructions designed to establish atmospheres through groove for the body and depth for the mind. I need music to have energy, but also soul. Otherwise, I feel incomplete.”

The challenge of the 7 hours

A 7-hour set is coming up. How are you preparing mentally?

“I have never done such a long set; the maximum was five and a half hours. I'm very excited.

I try to stay calm, focused on the present, and trust my music. It's a lot of time and requires concentration to develop the energy gradually and maintain coherence throughout the night.”

Building the set in real time

Is there prior planning or do you prefer to build in the moment?

“I think it is essential to do whatever the journey requires. Not going in with a closed idea.

In 7 hours, I will be mixing several subgenres: ambient, classic techno, hypnotic, sci-fi, deep, breaks, and also some classic gems as secret weapons...

The idea is to generate a balance between the roots of the genre and the current sound.”

A journey in stages

Do you think of it as a single journey or in stages?

“I think in this case it deserves to be thought of as different stages, like chapters within the same journey that enhance each other like a complete story.

I like to build sets with a concept as a guiding thread, holding a coherence of styles and developing a progression of intensities.”

Format and surprises

What format are you going to play in?

“I will be playing in DJ set format and vinyl format; the idea is to go back and forth between digital and records.

I would also like the musical journey to leave them with a different perspective of techno, showing in some way a piece of who I am.”

The ultimate goal

What would you like the audience to take away after these 7 hours?

“That they can forget about everything for a while. Be free of mind and body, enjoy the present. If they achieve that, my job is done.
I would also like the musical journey to leave them with a different perspective, showing in some way who I am.”

Thank you, NANO.