Hugo Cantarra is a known face of the French deep house scene who has delivered releases on important labels such as Pacha Recordings, Size Records, Armada Music, and more. He has performed in some of the world’s greatest nightclubs such as Dragon I and Zuma in Hong Kong, M2 in Shanghaï, Latte in Beijing, and on stage for festivals such as ElectroBeach. His upcoming ‘Freedom EP’ on Family Piknic is out soon alongside remixes from Stereo Express and Sascha Bramer. Along with the exclusive premiere of Sascha Braemer’s remix of ‘Freedom’ on When We Dip, we host some exclusive words from Hugo on the music as well as other points to highlight.

WWD: Hi Hugo. How are you, what’s been the highlight of your year so far?

Hey guys, I’m really great thanks. I really enjoyed the Family Piknik festival this year, the first festival after all this covid time.

WWD: What was it like to get back to partying and DJing again after the pandemic?

It’s such a good feeling. I used to perform almost 7 days a week before the covid and being back at it makes me feel alive more than ever. Djing for me is like breathing.

WWD: How much has the last year affected the music you have made, the style and sound of it?

Well, I’ve been locked in the studio crafting my sound as I always wanted to do. I would say that this is the positive point of covid. I had time to find a mix of genres I like such as progressive, deep, indie, techno, and made my own recipe.

WWD: Tell us about ‘Freedom’ on Family Piknik – what inspired or influenced it, was there an underlying message behind it?

I made this tune a year ago when we were all without proper freedom and I was imagining making a record that I wanna play at the end of this bad time on a beach in Ibiza while looking at a sunset. This is where freedom comes from.

WWD: What countries in the world would you like to perform which you have not had the opportunity to?

I really want to perform in the UK and USA next. Especially the USA as I have never been.

WWD: If you could share the most important pieces of hardware and software in your production arsenal, what would it be and why?

Can’t live without my ableton, I have such a good relationship with him ahah.

WWD: What future projects can you tell us about which you are involved with?

Actually I’m working on many tunes including stuff with Diana Miro, Matt Fax, Thomas Gold to say just a few!