Biography

Growing up in South Florida in the early days of house music and DJ’s mixing records was quite an experience and inspiration for DJ Gatto. He was intrigued by Miami DJ’s like Lazaro Mendez who would regularly spin on three turntables at the Power 96 parties across Miami. This was of course the newest art form at the time, and two Technics turntables and a mixer were the instruments of choice. On the weekends, Gatto would sneak into clubs with his fake ID hoping to hear the latest and newest house tracks. His purchased his first house mix tape at the legendary Josephs in Ft. Lauderdale which featured the classic cuts “Set if Off” and “Planet Rock.” Not shortly thereafter, he moved away to attend college in Pennsylvania, and he didn’t have the same access to house music and the Miami scene he enjoyed so much, but it did help him realize that music had a special place in his life.

Within a few years of finishing college he moved to New York City to take on a new job. He immediately immersed himself in the house music scene in the mid-90’s and regularly hung out at Tunnel, Twilo, Soundfactory and many other underground spots around town. Gatto would follow his favorite DJ Danny Tenaglia to wherever the legendary master would spin on a given weekend, but he’d also check out Carl Cox, Junior Vasquez, Sasha and Digweed and many others.

Inspired by the music and the scene, in 1999 Gatto decided to purchase his own decks, mixer and 808, and on July 4th, 2001 he spun at his first underground party in New York City. Soon after, he was getting offers to play at various lounges around the city, and in 2004 he was invited to open up for DJ/Producer Hipp E at Sullivan Room. After an incredible response, he began playing many gigs at Sullivan Room opening up for Derrick Carter, Scumfrog and Don Glaude while also spinning alongside other greats including Josh Wink, Charles Webster, Andy Caldwell and Tommie Sunshine for Miami’s Winter Music Conference in 2006 and 2007. During this time, Gatto was also playing private events and fashion shows during NYC’s illustrious Fashion Week, and began producing his own tracks in collaboration with various musicians and artists. Recently one of his tracks was featured on WBAI FM’s Liquid Sound Lounge radio show.

As a vinylist, Gatto stays true to the art form. He’s known in the scene for his keen ear for great tracks and an infectious sound that keeps the dance floor rocking throughout the night. His sets stretch the range of dance music incorporating all genres of dance music with a certain energy that’s hard to match.

In an age of cookie-cutter DJ’s and clubs, Gatto is currently producing his own underground music and art events while avidly working on his production skills. He’s now working on a new underground party for Spring 2013 that beckons back to the classic days where art and music thrived. You can catch him spinning the first Saturday of the month on internet radio -Techno.FM with DJ/Producer Elliot DeHoyos from 2pm – 5pm Eastern Time.