Lucati loves to mix groovy with sexy. Amidst the newest wave of notable house music producers, he has carved out a name for himself. At the beginning of 2018, he debuted his Whistling Duck EP on the mighty DIRTYBIRD label to rave reviews. Since then, he’s garnered support from house music heavy-hitters like Claude Von Stroke, Green Velvet, Chris Lake, and dozens more. With more than ten years of experience now under his belt, Lucati has learned to keep it simple, keep it passionate, and keep it real.




With an undeniable raw talent and passion for all things music, Lucati has managed to take himself straight from the underground to the main stage. His unrelenting deep grooves always carry an undercurrent of sensuality. Recorded live from some of dance music’s most prominent stages, here are five of our favorite sets from Lucati.




1. Space Miami

When Lucati took the stage at Space Miami in 2022, he called it a dream come true. It’s understandable, as this south Florida superclub has become synonymous with dance music in the United States. The proud producer opened with the evocative tribal calls of “Karma” by Crusy and never let up once. With a pounding thrum of island-tinged deep house, Lucati’s Space Miami set might be the perfect introduction to his music & its sensual, minimal vibes.



2. EDC Las Vegas 2022

EDC Las Vegas hosts the biggest names in dance every summer for the largest dance music festival in North America. In 2022, Lucati graced the stereoBLOOM stage, a multi-genre platform curated by the ever-growing family at Insomniac Music Group. Lucati would also make an appearance with Westend at the cosmicMEADOW stage that year. For his stereoBLOOM set, he drops some of his favorite bangers like “In Da Ghetto” by J Balvin & Skrillex and “Bumbum” by Groove Killah.




3. Countdown NYE

To close out 2021, Lucati joined a menagerie of great artists at Insomniac’s Countdown NYE party. In true New Year’s fashion, Lucati had fans (and later listeners) dancing until the wee hours of the morning. An extended mix of the Raumakustik track “Dem a Pree” had Soundcloud listeners vying viciously for an ID. But our favorite moment comes with the closing track. A mixed version of “Stay High again..” by Brittany Howard, Fred Again.., and Joy Anonymous.




4. Hard Summer

In this mixtape for the popular SoCal dance music festival, Lucati takes his time. He slowly warms the listener with some back-to-back Saul Antolin tracks before stepping up with “Boss Mode On” by Joseff Jones and BLND (UK). Camelphat, The Golden Boy, and a few original Lucati productions further heat up this mix.




5. Escape 2021

In a scary good set for Escape Halloween in 2021, Lucati dropped 90 minutes of pure heat, all while dressed as Burt T. Macklin - Andy Dwyer’s alter-ego from Parks & Recreation. He burst open this set with “Veins” by Hot Since 82. Other epic moments of this set are the midway banger “Dwtg” by Basura Boyz & Tombz and the jazzy house mix of “The Story Continues” by Marco Lys.









5 Lucati Sets That Will Get You Ready for the Club

One of the fastest-rising names in tech-house is none other than LA-based producer and DJ, Lucati. 2022 was Lucati's year to shine, dropping a staggering 13 releases, including an EP with Chicago's Gettoblaster and a remix for Chris Lorenzo's hit single "MAMI." Lucati's broad sonic pallet has led to work with some of house music's most venerated labels, including Confession, the newly relaunched This Ain't Bristol, and John Summit's Off The Grid.




Beyond the music, Lucati's effervescent and hilarious personality lights up social media. While he may not be as bold with the hot takes as John Summit, the American DJ is known for his quick wit and ability to meme anything. Clearly, one of house music's most beloved producers, Lucati surrounds himself with positivity at every turn.









Ready for another breakthrough year in 2023, Lucati released a set of IDs he's peppered his club and festival gigs with over the last year, including his hotly anticipated remix of Frank Ocean's "Pyramids." The unofficial remix playfully bridges the gap between neo-soul and house, sampling Ocean's majestic vocals before swelling into a trance-like lead, stabby hi-hats, and a grooving bassline. Lucati proves yet again his innate ability to defy and define genre.









What's next for Lucati in 2023? The DJ's next release looks to be a highly anticipated single called "Energy." Weaving UK grime-inspired vocals with sexy deep house chords, he dives headfirst into a percussion-laden club weapon that's been heating up dancefloors. The song pulls on a more Ibiza-inspired sound than the producer is known for, possibly hinting at a play for the White Isle in 2023. One thing is for sure, Lucati is a name that will be on everyone's lips in the coming year.

































Featured image: Lucati / Instagram







































Lucati is on Track for a Breakthrough 2023

Before Lucati and Dateless became two of house music’s most unique artists, they were just two brothers who shared a love of music. As the legend goes, Lucati became interested in music first, fusing his Latin background with funky basslines and impeccable grooves. He taught himself music theory and just got to work.




In addition to teaching himself, he also showed his brother, Dateless, how to perfect a beat.






“I taught my brother everything that I knew but he expanded on it, got signed to Dirtybird,” he told Gray Area during his interview at Electric Zoo in 2022.



But soon, Lucati became overwhelmed and disenchanted with the scene. So he took a step back from music and decided to go to school. He thought the nine-to-five grind was a more fruitful path, and guess what? He still wasn’t happy.




“I graduated from USC, did the rat race, hated it,” Lucati said.




With his brother’s encouragement, he started to dabble in music again, immersing himself fully.




“He inspired me to send music to Dirtybird and one year after he got signed, I got signed,” he said, discussing how grateful he is for his brother taking their musical relationship full circle. The love these two share for music and each other is evident—consistently pushing to bring out the best in one another.




2018 served as a big year for both Lucati and Dateless. Lucati debuted on Dirtybird and the brothers threw down an epically amazing b2b set on The Birdhouse stage at the Dirtybird Campout. This was also the year they started Kȯlmē Records.






“Initially it was kind of the concept of just putting out music between me and us.”




But after a while, Lucati felt the label should go in one direction, and Dateless was heading in another.




“I have a different concept for it [the label] and he has basically another idea. He started a new label, Thanks For Sending… With Kȯlmē, I’m trying to to be more focused on really pungent releases.”




The two decided it would be best for each to pursue their individual passions.




“We just kind of split ways, in that regard. I love my brother, it’s not like it’s a hateful thing. He’s doing incredible with the music.”

It’s all love and no hard feelings, just a realization that while directions change, the foundation of mutual encouragement doesn’t.




Since 2017, the two have had countless EPs, collaborations, and even b2b sets together, fusing Lucati’s groovy, sexy sound with Dateless’ funky basslines and Latin percussion. Together, their combined musical forces created innovative house classics such as “Boost Morale,” “This is My Life,” “Ben Doesn’t Remember,” the EP Life Sentence, and so many more. So it makes sense that it was time to explore what else was out there. This in no way means that they won’t work together or collaborate again. It just means that, for the time being, they want to do their own thing. 




And because their solo work and collaborations have all been bangers, we’re excited to see what else these two brothers have in store.












How Siblings Lucati and Dateless Mentored Each Other

Inspiration can be found all around. You have to know where to look. Take Lucati, for example. Born Ruben Marcelo Smulovitz, Lucati draws inspiration from his Latin background and the video games he played as a kid. Games like Streets of Rage 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog formed his musical foundation. Those games had “great electronic music made with chipsets on a 4-on-the-floor beat,” he told EDM Maniac in an interview.




For those not familiar with those games, let me give you a little background. Streets of Rage 2 (SoR2), aka Bare Knuckle 2 in Japan, is a fighting game. One or two players battle it out with enemies throughout, picking up weapons and items along the way.






The soundtrack for SoR2 is more than background noise for a 16-bit adventure. It stands alone, with its glitchy synths, chunky basslines, and heavy influence from house, techno, and electronica.




Sonic the Hedgehog is a Japanese speed-based platforming game made by SEGA. It follows the misadventures of an evil villain fighting blue anthropomorphic hedgehog superhero.




This series’ soundtrack drew inspiration from genres ranging from ska, pop, funk, metal, electronica, and more. An 8-bit version of this game featured the same composer as SoR2 and catered to a more ‘chiptune’ sound.




It’s easy to see why Lucati was influenced by these games, as the music could be heard in a nightclub just as easily as in the games. It piqued his interest, encouraging him to think outside the box on how to harness these fond memories and transform them into musical inspiration. Those beats, coupled with his Latin background, paved the way for the music he creates today.




Lucati is known for his fresh take on house music. It’s a return to the days when groove reigned supreme, and even the most minimal beat could cause damage on the dancefloor. He’s masterfully fused his Latin heritage with his passion for classic gaming and, in the process, crafted a hypnotic and mesmerizing sound. Who knew that those chiptunes he heard so long ago would lead him down a path of creating music?


















How Lucati was Influenced by Classic Video Game Soundtracks

Since 2017, Lucati's been changing the sound of house music as we know it. Drawing on his Latin background, his music is dropping with hypnotic grooves and tropical percussion. Known for his mastery of clean, minimal vibes, his passion and dedication shine through every slinky synth line and shuffling drum beat. Simple, yet mesmerizing rhythms fill his work, ensuring each is full of summery fun and uplifting vibes.




Considering Lucati’s drive and dedication to music, it should come as no surprise that his motto is “Music Over Everything.” It’s how he lives his life and motivates his creative process. “Set aside the ego, set aside the things that you think you want. This is about us, it’s a community,” he explained to Gray Area during a recent interview at Electric Zoo.




We’ve selected seven Lucati tracks that represent the intoxicating sound of Lucati.







1. Pederoso

First up is a track from 2017, released on the Box of Cats compilation, Litterbox Vol 4. A bouncy house song, “Pederoso,” has out-of-this-world effects and a psychedelic feel. Super chill with a groovy bassline—a surefire dancefloor filler that Malaa, Shiba San, and Craig Williams supported.




2. Drumpf

So I was slightly hesitant to link a song that samples Donald Trump. What sold me was Lucati’s post announcing the release, which included a plea to “Vote him out.” Released in 2018 as part of his Dirtybird Records debut, Whistling Duck, Drumpf is a well-crafted tech house tune. This was the perfect way for Lucati to introduce himself. 




3. All About House

Next, we have Lucati’s “All About House,” which came out in 2019 on Confession. Featured on Malaa’s Illegal Mixtape Vol. 2, “All About House” is a mostly instrumental, deliciously bassy, tech house track. Repeating throughout is the refrain, “it’s all about house,” and you really do feel that that is what it’s all about.




4. Music 4 The People

Lucati made his debut on Wax Motif’s DIvided Souls Records with “Music 4 The People.” A blissfully chunky four-on-the-floor heater made for the big room sound systems.




5. Wav Yo Hands

Another release on Divided Souls, “Wav Yo Hands,” is an animated tech house beat brimming with groove and rhythm. It’s a track that’ll have you dancing, and with the vocals commanding listeners to ‘wav yo hands,’ you can’t help but follow along.




6. Party Time

“Party Time” is Lucati’s debut on Noizu’s TECHNE, and trust when we say it’s a heater. Bumping basslines and tech house vibes make this your new go-to party anthem banger. As the name suggests, it’s party time, and this song is ready for the dance floor.




7. El Oh Vee Ee

Lucati’s next offering is his “El Oh Vee Ee,” released on the newly rebranded This Ain’t Bristol label. Distorted vocals, glitchy effects, and a banging bassline make this track a bit otherworldly. “El Oh Vee Ee” takes you on a psychedelic journey of tech house and Lucati goodness, and I am so here for it.





















7 Tracks that Lean In on Lucati's Latin-tinged Sound

For the better part of a decade, LA-based producer and DJ, Lucati has made music. But in 2017, everything came to fruition, and he exploded onto the scene. He debuted on Dirtybird Records with his EP, Whistling Duck, in 2018 and hasn't looked back since. 




Born Ruben Marcelo Smulovitz, Lucati is widely known for incorporating Latin-inspired elements into his clean, danceable grooves. He's got a talent for keeping things minimal while maintaining a thumping dance floor energy that keeps the club pumped. His slinky, stripped-back beats have attracted the attention of labels like Confession, Ultra, Desert Hearts, and John Summit's Off The Grid. And he's been heavily supported by artists like DJ Snake, Annie Nightengale, Solardo, and Marco Lys.




He's also frequently called upon to work with some of house music's heavy hitters. Of course, it's great to get support from the biggest DJs. But, when they ask you to get in the studio with them, it's a sure sign that you are on to a unique sound. If you're unfamiliar with Lucati's collaborations, we've compiled eight from his catalog that you need to add to your playlist right now.







1. Lucati, Dateless - This is My Life

It seemed appropriate to start this list with a collaboration between Lucati and his younger brother, Dateless. The pair were kind of inseparable in the early days of their careers and even started Kolme Records together.




"This is My Life" is a slow-building house banger with an incredible bassline. It's a new and fresh take on house music and shows that the brothers truly came to play.




2. OMNOM, Lucati - Bat Country

Next is a trippy offering from OMNOM and Lucati called "Bat Country." It samples dialogue from the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and it sounds exactly like the kind of weekend the film's protagonist, Raoul Duke, endured in Sin City. The track is anchored by a kick-ass beat and a splatter of psychedelic sound effects, keeping it fun while adding to the overall wacky vibe.




3. SNBRN, Lucati, 1993 - DMs

"DMs" is a playful house tune created by SNBRN and Lucati, which features 1993 on vocals. A warped bassline and driving percussion keep time while the lyrics repeat a catchy hook.

Somehow, these guys even incorporate a staccato whistle and sprinkle of quirky synth hits, breaking up the vocals while maintaining the bounce.




4. Lucati, Dombresky - Like This

Lucati teamed up with Dombresky to release "Like This" on Toolroom Records. A criminally underrated song. They lace a typical tech-house beat with a bit of Latin flair. It's the perfect danceable beat.




5. Daniels Jack, Lucati - The Funk

Released in 2018 on Nervous Records, "The Funk" is Lucati's collaboration with Daniels Jack. This tech house joint combines Latin percussion with a funky bassline. "The Funk" has an overall groovy feel and is a fun, sexy banger.




6. Gettoblaster, Lucati - Cameras, Flash, Action

Lucati joined forces with Gettoblaster for "Cameras, Flash, Action," a Jackin house release on Harry Romero's Bambossa Records. This song goes hard in the most blissfully understated way. A walloping bassline repeats under a minimal beat, only broken up by the occasional vocal break. The boys have combined the best of old-school vibes and new-school production and will have you moving and grooving as it plays.




7. Nick Siarom, Lucati - Sonido Latino

"Sonido Latino" has Lucati truly showcasing his Latin roots, this time, working with Brazillian newcomer Nick Siarom. Released on the Kyle Watson and Wongo-led tastemaker label, Box of Cats, "Sonido Latino" is a fresh, clean tech house jawn filled with lasers, Spanish vocals, and cheeky percussion.







8. Nightfunk, Lucati, Diego Bayón - Exchange

Rounding out our lineup is Lucati's track with Lucati's collab with Nightfunk and Diego Bayón, "Exchange," released on Lee Foss's South of Saturn imprint. An animated deep house track, Diego Bayón's provocative vocals compliment the blistering bassline perfectly. Yet another track of Lucati's that's a dancefloor hit.











8 Lucati Collabs You Should Know

Over nearly two decades, Dirtybird Records has gradually become one of the most sought-after house labels—and for good reason. The imprint is known for its varied roster of artists who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in the studio. It’s a distinct sound that attracts a diverse fanbase from all spectrums of the electronic music sphere.



Spearheaded by Claude VonStroke, the San Francisco-based brand has gained a reputation for being a forward-thinking, trendsetting collective and has bolstered the careers of artists who adhere to that ethos. Acts like Walker & Royce, VNSSA, Will Clarke, Kyle Watson, Ardalan, and LUCATI have all emerged from the Dirtybird nest and made a significant impact on the house music landscape.



LUCATI in particular is a textbook example of the power behind the label. After producing music for eight years, the USC graduate was inspired to finally deliver music to Dirtybird after his younger brother, Dateless, was signed to the imprint.



In an interview with Gray Area, LUCATI recalled his efforts to bolster his brother’s development as an artist. “I taught my brother everything that I knew,” he said. “But then he expanded on it and got signed to Dirtybird.”



After he gained traction in 2017 thanks to acts like Tchami and Malaa played his tracks, Dirtybird subsequently signed LUCATI to their revered label. Their partnership would debut on New Year’s Day 2018 with the release of the Whistling Duck EP.





Since then, the Southern California native has amassed a dedicated following that has witnessed his sound steadily evolve as he performs in nightclubs and music festivals the world over. Records like “DMs,” “Back 2 A Time,” and “Like This” with Dombresky showcase the versatility for which LUCATI has become known.



Part of that adaptable sound can also be found under LUCATI’s very own label, Kȯlmē Records. Initially a partnership between him and his brother, the two ultimately agreed to let LUCATI take the reins of the imprint.



Speaking on the matter, LUCATI addressed his goals with the label saying, “I’m trying to be more focused with really pungent releases … I’m also going to be releasing my own music on there as well.”



In 2022, Lucati added a string of rewarding milestones to his career including his first performance at Club Space in Miami and playing EDC Las Vegas. Not to be outdone, the rising star toured alongside John Summit and Chris Lorenzo in the late summer, gathering a legion of new admirers along the way.



Looking forward, LUCATI’s star is shining bright with no chance of dimming anytime soon. Recent releases like “Party Time” on Noizu’s Techne Records and his remix of Chris Lorenzo and Cobrah’s “Mami” have proven fruitful ventures. These undertakings have been a testament to the talented producers that come out of the well-oiled house music machine that is Dirtybird Records.

How Signing to Dirtybird Launched LUCATI’s Career

LA-based DJ/producer, Lucati is at the forefront of a new wave of house music with an organic brand of tech house fused with Latin beats and alluring textures. His straightforward, powerful approach to music and hilariously absurd social media presence has made him a dynamic and much-talked-about figure in dance music. His no-nonsense sound harkens back to a simpler time in house music, when a groove could carry you into a state of funk-fueled bliss. He's a reminder of why we fell in love with house music.


While seemingly fresh to festival stages Lucati's production prowess dates back more than a decade. He broke through the noise in 2017 when artists like Tchami, Malaa, and Claude VonStroke began playing his music in their sets. However, 2018 was arguably the turning point of his career when he released his debut EP Whistling Duck on VonStroke’s esteemed label Dirtybird.

“I actually had a project maybe eight, five years before that. And I taught my brother everything that I knew. But then he expanded on it, got signed to DIRTYBIRD. I graduated from USC, did the rat race, hated it. And he inspired me to send music to DIRTYBIRD. And one year after he got signed, I got signed.”


While there is a unique unifying spirit in dance music, running the game as a producer or DJ can at times be competetive. You'd think having a brother in the same field might create a bit of sibling rivalry, but Lucati has nothing but respect for his brother, who goes by DATELESS.



“He's my younger brother. And he's amazing...He's incredible.”


The respect is mutual. When they were ready to take the next step in their careers, they moved un unison by launching their label, Kȯlmē Records. However, as their artistic goals evolved individually, they parted ways as co-label heads, leaving Kolme in Lucati's capable hands.


“Initially, it was the concept of just putting out music between me and us. But what we decided was that I have a different concept for it. And he basically had another idea, he started a new label called Thanks for Sending. We kind of just split ways in that regard.”

Kȯlmē isn’t the standard, prototypical house music label. As a “monolith of inspiration and trendsetting” Kȯlmē aims to shed light on the golden age of house music, with Lucati proudly sitting at the helm. But you can’t rush perfection. So instead of sticking to wildly ambitous release schedules, every track is released when he feel that it's ready to be heard.


“With Kȯlmē, I'm trying to be more focused with really pungent releases. The last one I did was “Tribal Break” by 96 Vibe and Namik. And that track I played in all my sets, because it's such a powerful record," Lucati explains about how he curates his label. "So I'm looking for records like that. And I'm also going to be releasing my own music on there as well. Just very much with intention. It's not like a monthly thing, it's when the track is there.”


Kȯlmē Records focuses on what matters most, the music. A philosophy that rings true to Lucati's artistic motto, “music over everything.”



“It basically means set aside the ego, set aside the things that you think you want. This is about us, it's a community. When we're in the crowd, I'm no more important than anybody else. I'm here for you, and you're here for me. And we're vibing, we're feeding each other. That's the ultimate place where every time that happens, it's an amazing show. And you feel it. When you see me having fun, you're having fun. That's how it works.”


These sentiments easily translate into his live sets, and explain why he's become such a sought-after performer. This past August he threw down at the iconic Club Space Miami, which he claims is his favorite venue he’s played.


“It’s nonstop. It has the best energy. It has the energy of what I think house music actually is. You play as long as you want. There's no one-hour sets there. You got to give the DJ the tools to tell them who you are. Club Space. Everybody's gotta go!”

Lucati has certainly carved a route success, and is leading the way for a fresh crop of house music's finest. By keeping it simple, authentic, and never losing sight of his passion, he’s evolved into one of modern house music's most prolific artists. When asked what excites him the most about the future of house music, Lucati says the future is in great hands.



“I think that because the tools are so readily available to everyone, it's kind of leveling the playing field. I'm also very happy that John Summit is getting to where he is. Because this guy means well, feeds the underground…The guy is putting [in] the work. He means what he says. And this guy is going to be a leader. He's gonna have a whole chapter in the book of house music. I promise you. So what excites me is the leaders are the right ones. And the underground is ready to be taken to the next plateau.”




Lucati

Sierra Vandervort

Alex Lambeau

Carolina Quijano

Carolina Quijano

Carolina Quijano

Carolina Quijano

Ulises Vargas

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