Ahead of his eagerly anticipated Canadian debut with Sonotopia at Le Livart, Argentine producer and DJ Agustín Ficarra reflects on the rich musical culture that shaped him. Roots run deep in Buenos Aires, a city renowned for its relentless underground energy and legendary figures like Hernán Cattáneo, who paved the way for a new generation of electronic talent.

Now, Ficarra brings his emotive, carefully crafted sound to Montreal for the very first time. In this feature, he opens up about his roots, his sonic identity, and much more. It’s a candid look at the artist behind the decks – and a fitting preamble to his performance inside Le Livart’s underground gallery.

WWD: Buenos Aires is legendary for its passionate underground electronic music culture. How has the energy of your city shaped your sonic identity?

The culture in my country, and especially in Buenos Aires, has had a huge influence on me. There are parties almost every day, incredible clubs, and promoters that are on the same level as some of the best in the world. I’ve really educated my ear and developed my musical path thanks to the number of great DJs I’ve been able to see.

I also can’t talk about Argentina’s electronic music scene without mentioning the huge influence Hernán Cattáneo has had on all of us. He not only inspires us, but takes our flag around the world and helps introduce Argentine artists and producers to international audiences.

WWD: Montreal shares a comparable passion to underground culture. What excites you most about bringing your sound to the city for Sonotopia at Le Livart?

I haven’t visited Montreal yet, but I’m really excited about the similarities I see between the city and Buenos Aires. I feel that the audience will have a similar energy to the Argentine crowd, as well as a strong knowledge and appreciation for music.

Montreal is definitely one of the meccas of progressive house, so I couldn’t be more excited to share my music there.

I’d also like to mention that I’ve also felt a connection with Montreal for quite some time, as two of the most important EPs in my catalog were released on Plaisirs Sonores, the label run by Hicky & Kalo, who are residents at Stereo Montreal.

WWD: Every artist’s journey involves ebbs and flows of drive and inspiration. Where do you turn for creative inspiration outside of electronic music?

When I experience creative blocks or moments when I don’t feel capable of developing new ideas, I really enjoy listening to alternative, experimental and ambient music. I can get inspired by the sounds I find there or even use some of them as samples.

Being in nature also helps me clear my mind and relax, which allows me to reconnect with my creative side.

WWD: You recently launched your own record label, Croma. What is your core philosophy behind establishing this platform, and what specific sound aesthetic will define the catalog moving forward?

The core philosophy is duality. I want there to be two sides of the same coin. I want the label to feature both joyful and melancholic music, or even both emotions within the same track.

I initially started by releasing my own music, but soon I’ll be opening the platform to friends and colleagues so they can share their music as well.

I’m currently working on changing the name of the label before continuing with new releases. I want to give it a clear identity based on this idea of duality and start 2027 with a solid release calendar.

WWD: Your sound spans a diverse spectrum – how do you balance diversity with maintaining a signature sound?

I think my identity is precisely that: diversity. That has always represented me and it comes naturally to me. I like to define it as “house and its derivatives.”

I like having house as the root and then being able to move through progressive, tech and minimal in my sets. Having such a wide range of possibilities gives me more tools to manage emotions during a set and take the audience on a different musical journey, while still maintaining a clear identity.

WWD: Pick a past release that represents the energy you’re bringing with you to Sonotopia and Montreal. What does this track mean to you?

It’s difficult for me to choose just one, but I would go with my track ‘Restart’, which I released a few months ago.

It represents me because it’s a progressive house track at 125 BPM with some tech influences, a dark groove and long buildups. I think that sound represents me very well at the moment and clearly shows the duality between progressive and tech.

WWD: Alongside your performance, you are hosting an intimate studio masterclass in Montreal. What is your intention behind this masterclass and what are you looking to pass on?

I want to show what I’m like in the intimacy of my studio and share what triggers my creativity when I’m producing. I don’t want to focus too much on technical or theoretical aspects. I want to keep it practical and show how I have fun making music in Ableton.

I always try to transmit the same thing to my students: that making music should be enjoyable and that it should feel like a pleasure, not an obligation. I also want to show how I look for creative solutions when I’m frustrated or stuck.

The masterclass is for producers regardless of genre. My main goal is to show how much I enjoy making music and hopefully pass that feeling on to the people who attend.

WWD: The global landscape for progressive and deep house is constantly shifting. Where do you see the underground scene heading over the next few years, both sonically and culturally?

I believe that with new technological developments and the growing number of people discovering electronic music around the world, the scene is moving in a very positive direction.

On a sonic level, there is so much music being released today that, in a way, it can sometimes devalue the music itself. But I believe audiences are still able to recognize the difference between good and bad music.

Culturally, I think electronic music is doing something very positive for society. It has always been a space where people can have fun and forget about their problems for a while. The world is going through a difficult moment, and having so many spaces around the world where people can listen to great music and connect with others who share the same passion gives people the opportunity to enjoy life a little more.

WWD: For up-and-coming producers trying to build a long-term artistic identity without chasing short-term trends, what is the most valuable piece of advice you can offer?

Enjoy the journey and surround yourself with people who are enjoying the same journey as you.

Music allows you to meet new people all the time, and sharing music with others is one of the most beautiful things we can experience as human beings. Be patient and love what you do. Everything comes with time.

I started my career six years ago and I’ve already experienced things I never imagined. I still have a long way to go, but my main focus has always been to enjoy what I do and share it with others.

Stay true to yourself and do what you love.

WWD: To wrap things up, your tour across Quebec brings you to Rimouski, Montreal, and Quebec City. What are you most looking forward to as you share your sound with these different Canadian crowds on this tour?

I’m really excited to meet each audience and discover what they want to hear. I feel confident in my ability to understand each crowd and give them what they need, while enjoying the experience of seeing them dance.

I couldn’t be more excited to visit Canada for the first time and share those hours of music with them. I’ll give everything I have to make sure this isn’t the only time I bring my music to Canada. I hope to come back every year and show them what I have to offer.

Tickets for his Montreal show here.
Tickets for the masterclass

Agustin Ficarra: Instagram / SoundCloud