Z@p

In Fernando Zapico, one can find a rare combination: a producer with a talent for creating timeless pieces of electronic dance music, who at the same time is able to shine bright as a selector and club DJ. What is it about Z@p that has made him such an idiosyncratic spirit in a sea of fresh DJs and producers emerging on a daily basis? One could look at his background; after all, being native to Uruguay, a grail of modern dance music with a rich legacy to learn from, definitely helps. Yet a strong infatuation with club culture and electronic music since the early 2000´s in the Montevideo scene has fostered him to develop and progress on a consistent basis. This same fascination led him to meet and become affiliated with the crew behind Phonotheque, a club and collective of which he is now a lifelong resident. Yet Nando is not just a representation of a culture but a representation of himself, of his edge. Perhaps this edge is the way to look at his music. Operating within a framework of conventional dance music, Z@p, as a DJ, is universally aligned to deliver his signature sound in various settings for various crowds. The beats are all-consuming, tension builds and releases organically, and there is not much left but to dance the night away under his skillful lead. But once you get sucked into the atmosphere, dissonance, carefully placed disruptions, otherworldly basslines, resonating acid, bended vocals, and seemingly contradicting narratives appear and start taking you on a whole other trip. Listening to an experienced and well-versed DJ express himself and utilize his skills, you’re bound to go on a layered and complex journey that is both captivating, empowering, and thought-provoking. Since 2015, the Uruguayan started touring Europe more and more frequently until 2018 when he finally bit the bullet and moved to Berlin permanently. Nowadays, he is a resident of both Phonotheque and Cartulis Music, two institutions pushing electronic music forward in the Americas and Europe, respectively. He continues to tour and be a frequent guest at some of the best clubs in the world, yet somehow he manages to be a tour de force when it comes to production, consistently putting out tracks that electronic music fans all around the world treasure and appreciate. These releases under some of the most influential labels of our time, such as My Own Jupiter, Time Passages, and Cabaret Recordings just to name a few, have set new standards for contemporary dance music to aspire to.