A two-hour excursion of mature progressive from Mariano Montori…
Now based in Barcelona after emerging from Argentina’s progressive underground, Mariano Montori crafts music with patience and control, favouring subtle melodic interplay and slow-burning tension over obvious peaks.
Across releases for labels including The Soundgarden and Univack, he builds tracks that move with precision, balancing atmosphere with a strong sense of dancefloor momentum.
From clubs and festivals across Europe and Latin America to appearances in Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Pakistan, Montori continues to refine a sound grounded in emotional storytelling and deep, transportive energy, both in the studio and behind the decks.
On this Balance Selections mix, he delivers a two-hour set that simmers with controlled tension. Featuring music from Kamilo Sanclemente, Nicolas Viana, Fernando Olaya and more, this is well-crafted excursion into mature dance music.
Tracklist
1. Nicolas Venturini – Endless Opening (Zaleski Remix)
2. Robert R. Hardy – Dream Big (Original Mix)
3. Mike Kohl – Hillside (Extended Mix)
4. Timo Chinala – Somerville (Nicolas Viana Edit)
5. Outlandtale – Reflections (Original Mix)
6. Char Spinelli – Something Special (Mariano Montori Remix)
7. Mariano Montori, Oliver & Tom – Beta (Original Mix)
8. Fernando Olaya, Giovanny Aparicio – Gypsy Essence (Extended Mix)
9. Supacooks – Radial Balance (Original Mix)
10. Redspace, Sam Borski – What Is Life (Original Mix)
11. Fordal – Glader (Dowden Remix)
12. Oscar Rosmano – Golden Pulse (Original Mix)
13. Kenan Savrun, Sinan Arsan – Vagabundo (Original Mix)
14. Fernando Olaya, Zoeken – Destiny (Extended Mix)
15. Serious Dancers – Pulse Rush (Extended Mix)
16. Mariano Montori, Oliver & Tom – Future (Original Mix)
17. Mariano Montori, Oliver & Tom – Zeta (Original Mix)
18. Mariano Montori, Oliver & Tom – X (Original Mix)
19. Kamilo Sanclemente – No Regrets (Arctic White Extended Remix)
20. Guy J – Lamur (Paul Deep Edit)
21. Guy Gerber – My Heart (Mariano Montori Closing Mix)
Name: Mariano Montori
Location: Originally from Argentina, currently based in Barcelona
Alias/Producer name: Mariano Montori
Labels affiliated with: The Soundgarden, Plattenbank, Tale + Tone, Asymmetric, Manual Music, Univack, Beat Boutique, Zenebona, Random Rec, among others.
As a kid, I listened to a lot of Argentine rock in general. Around the age of 13 or 14, I also got into bands like Oasis and Gorillaz.
When I was around 16, some friends who were a bit older than me (20–21) started introducing me to electronic music.
They showed me artists like Daft Punk, Kraftwerk, Infected Mushroom and mainstream DJs such as Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto and Armin van Buuren.
I remember it had an immediate impact on me, and from that moment on I started exploring on my own and getting more deeply involved in the electronic music world. This was around 2005–2006.
When I first started going out, my friends and I used to go to venues with different rooms playing different styles of music. I would usually spend most of the night in the room where a DJ was playing house or techno.
Sometimes it was more commercial, sometimes more underground, but at that time I was still in an exploratory phase, figuring out my taste within electronic music.
My first real club experience was at Crobar in Buenos Aires, where Markus Schulz was playing. Starting out in that way was great—it really helped shape my perspective.
It was a great night and a turning point for me, as I began to truly understand the atmosphere and the energy created on the dancefloor.
I like to divide this into DJs and producers. Around 15 years ago, when I started producing, most of my influences came from Israel. Guy Gerber was probably my biggest reference, along with Guy J.
Their music had an immediate impact on me—very emotional on the melodic side, but also with a strong and effective groove for the dancefloor.
Nowadays, there are many producers who inspire me, but I’m especially drawn to those who can find that balance between groove and melody, with the ability to surprise the listener as a key element.
To name a few more, including live performers: Juan Hansen, RY X, Olarfur Arnalds, Monolink, Khen, Simon Vuarambon, Kevin di Serna, Matthew Sona, HAFT, Paul Deep, Nicolas Viana among many others.
On the DJ side, my three main pillars have always been Hernán Cattáneo, Martín García, and Marcelo Vasami. I feel like I’ve learned—and still learn—a lot from them every time I listen to them.
Even though they share a similar musical direction, each of them has a very distinct identity and approach. They are definitely the DJs I’ve seen the most times live.
If I had to add a fourth one, it would be Soundexile, who were also very influential in my early days.
It’s not that common these days for full albums to be released, but the last one I downloaded was by a friend from Uruguay, JP Posada.
He shared his album with me a few months ago and also invited me to contribute a remix, which will be released later this year.
It’s a 100% electronic album, with different melodic shades but a very strong and defined identity—very complete and clearly aimed at the dancefloor. The album is called Transformación, and I definitely recommend giving it a listen.
I have a home studio in Barcelona with a basic but effective setup—studio monitors, an audio interface, and a synthesizer. I use Ableton Live for both production and live performance.
I’ve been using it for around 15 years in my DJ sets, and it’s something I really enjoy. I work with multiple channels, loops, edits from unfinished tracks, and vocal snippets. While it’s not a fully live performance as such, I like the dynamic it brings to my sets and how I can shape them by incorporating my own material.
I control Ableton using a Novation Launch Control XL, and I also use the club’s mixer—usually working with at least four channels.
This year I have an original release coming out on Stripped Digital. I also have a few original tracks with Oliver & Tom that we’re currently looking to place with the right label.
In addition, there’s the remix for JP Posada’s album that I mentioned earlier, as well as another remix coming out on my own label, Random Rec.
I’ll probably also be sharing some free download edits throughout the year, as I usually do.
At the moment, I don’t have any confirmed dates lined up, but you’ll most likely be able to catch me in Barcelona in the near future, as there are a few shows currently in the works.
I don’t usually run a regular podcast, but I do upload mixes to my SoundCloud every few months. I like to keep them organic and true to the moment in which they’re made, rather than forcing myself into a fixed monthly schedule.
I recorded this mix using Ableton Live, performing it live. Even though everything sounds tight and quantized, it still has that touch of human “error” and small imperfections that make it feel more real and less automated.
I always try to select music that genuinely moves me, with rhythmic and melodic elements that allow me to follow a clear direction, where each track connects in some way with the previous one. This mix is no exception—those who know me know that I like to be precise and build my sets gradually.
In this one, you’ll find several tracks of mine as well as music from friends and fellow producers, alongside promos from well-known labels and artists from around the world. One track I’d highlight in particular is “Future,” an original I produced with Oliver & Tom, which was recently supported by Hernán Cattáneo at Sunsetstrip Buenos Aires in front of 15,000 people.
“Future” by Mariano Montori & Oliver & Tom. As I mentioned before, it’s a track that recently received support from Hernán Cattáneo, and it has been a very important track in my sets lately
Probably “Memories” or “Growth.” Both tracks represent different moments of my musical journey and still feel very connected to my identity as a producer.
“The Golden Sun & The Silver Moon” by Guy Gerber. It’s probably my all-time favourite track and one that has inspired me deeply over the years.
One Battle After Another. I haven’t been watching too many movies lately, but I saw it at the cinema recently and really enjoyed it.
Friends and The Office.
Málaga and the surrounding areas in the south of Spain. It’s an incredible place to disconnect, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere.
