The single marks the second release on Santiago Garcia’s recently launched S/GNATURE imprint
Launching his new record label project S/GNATURE with the release of ‘Mundo interior (ft G.Zamora)’ at the end of January, long-standing Argentinian DJ, producer and label head Santiago Garcia now looks to double the imprint’s nascent release tally with the announcement of its sophomore single, ‘Hurt Me’.
Out now, ‘Hurt Me’ sees Santiago Garcia join forces with long-time friend and internationally celebrated Danish producer, live act and Out Of Options label boss, Nandu, for the pair’s eagerly-anticipated debut collaboration.
First previewed during Nandu’s Nordic Winter Hot Mix on BBC Radio 1 back in December – and now a staple part of both artists’ international touring playlists – ‘Hurt Me’ delivers everything one would hope for, and more, from the meeting of these two musical masterminds.
Built on an introductory foundation of vibrant percussion and playful, undulating basslines, we’re soon treated to an amalgamation of uneasy tones and trippy synths, giving the record a sense of intrigue around every corner. But it is perhaps the deeply soulful topline that gives the record its true identity; weaving in and out of the pair’s respective sound design elements to create a whole that is so much more than the sum of its constituent parts.
Speaking about the collaboration, Santiago Garcia commented:
“This emotional collaboration with Nandu arose naturally from sharing years of musical knowledge and ideas. After several attempts, we were presented with the idea of using this unique topline, with the melodies and rhythm swiftly flowing from this. “Hurt Me” is an appeal to preserve a relationship. It addresses the harm that emotional attachment can have, both physically and emotionally.”
Nandu continued:
“House music, at is core, needs soul. And that’s very much what I think we found in this track. The topline is a short outtake from a long piece of vocal, but we both thought that the soul was to be found in that particular cut “please don’t hurt me”.”
Born and bred in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires, Santiago Garcia has been at the forefront of an established wave of artists supplying the deep house and melodic techno traditions since their early inception. Over the course of his esteemed twenty-year career, he has nurtured a remarkably intelligent, deliciously challenging sound that finds equal comfort within the international festival and underground, after-hours communities – a multi-faceted sound palette which has seen him entertain crowds from behind some of the most revered DJ booths in the world. Enjoying inherent artistic freedom afforded by only an elite few, and with the backing of some of the most sought-after labels in the industry, Garcia’s prolific output is tinged with dynamic, indie sensibilities and evokes feelings of self-reflection and purity; bold, expressive and invariably original.
One of the production masterminds behind ‘Dope Dance’ – which was crowned in Pete Tong’s Top 5 Essential New Tunes of 2023 – Nandu is a true artist who embodies independence, originality, and an incredible musical talent. He has been able to break free from his Copenhagen roots through hard work and persistence over the years, and today, he is an established producer and DJ who is making a name for himself across the world. Throughout his career, Nandu has been affiliated with several record labels, but it is his association with industry heavyweights like Innervisions and Afterlife that has propelled him to success. His EPs and features in the VA compilation series Secret Weapons and Unity have brought his name to the forefront, making him a recognizable and beloved artist within the melodic dance music scene. In keeping with his independent spirit, Nandu has established his own record label, ‘Out Of Options,’ which allows him to focus on his output and showcase his own artist profile in its entirety. Launched in 2021, the label is a testament to Nandu’s creativity and vision, featuring a diverse range of tracks that seamlessly blend dancefloor anthems with more laid-back tunes and even some vocal-heavy tracks that showcase Nandu’s singing talents.
