Dj Nano and the challenge (and routine) of playing 12 hours straight at A Summer Story

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“It’s one of the important events of the year and without a doubt the one that entails the most preparation, not because I’m in the direction of the festival and you work from one year to the next, but because I lock myself up in the cabin for 12 hours on Saturday.” that’s how he talks DJ Nanototem of electronic music and responsible for pilgrimages of all generations to his session Oro Viejo, a marathon that has become a tradition. This Saturday he spends half a day (yes, 12 hours in a row) at the A Summer Story festival, and at 46, he does so being aware of the importance of a healthy routinewith naps and cherries included…

What is the secret to lasting 21 hours on stage?

Secrets none. It is about being in good physical and mental shape, especially as the years go by, care has to be greater. I’m already 46 years old, I come with a strong rhythm… And I’m not 20 huh. I try to be more and more careful, and mentally be very prepared, and rested, perhaps the most difficult with what I have in summer. Within the bad, the luck is that this is at the beginning and it still does not catch me with a lot of whiplash on me.

I suppose you have to eat and hydrate while you play, but what?

I ask for water, I usually drink 3 energy drinks, which I have well measured; one at the beginning before starting at 8 in the afternoon, another halfway around 11, and then if I see that I am well enough to hold out at the end at 2-23 in the morning, the last one. And then what I ask for non-stop is water and fruit… And chocolate. People often get upset because they see that I’m DJing and I’m eating some cherries or a banana, I always have by my side to keep hydrated.

Do those 12 hours go by quickly when you enjoy yourself so much?

Completely. In fact, look, I talk about it with many colleagues, it’s not easy to find a 12-hour set, and when we talk about it, the question is always the same, how can I hold on? And I will tell you that he gets along much better, or at least I do, than people may think. And that is why I take it as a luxury to be in front of so many thousands of people, it is something very nice that so many people come to enjoy something so special.

And how do you manage the break with bowling and travel?

Over the years I have learned to sleep practically anywhere, and rest at any time. Most of the performances are at night, the transfers are up to 3 cities a day, and I do sleep what I can at night. If I play at 3 and I get to the hotel early, I sleep until 2, I wake up, I take a shower, and I arrive 5 minutes before the festival, and as soon as I’m done, I go back to bed, I’m not even 5 minutes too late for there. I’ve achieved that over the years, and I don’t have the problem that other electronic artists have, that buzzing enters your ears… I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been around for so many years, but I manage to wake up, get to the top, go to the hotel, and rest. It is essential that it be as long as possible, especially in summer. And many times I can’t sleep 6-7 hours straight, so I take a nap when I can.

Can you maintain a healthy lifestyle routine with this hustle and bustle?

It is very complicated, but I try to be healthier every day, and that everything is a little more bearable for my stomach. But sometimes it’s impossible and you don’t eat what you should, there’s no other choice. And on the subject of sport, the same. Look, I contract hotels with 24-hour room services and a gym to get some exercise, but even so, there are times when you can’t, and you try to weather the storm as best as possible. It’s not something I can achieve 100%, far from it.

Do you count calories? It would be necessary to see how many you burn on Saturday.

I don’t know, but with the sweat that I get, I must lose quite a few. Anyone who doesn’t know me knows that I’m very active in sessions, it’s not just a show where I just mix, it’s very physical, I’m running and jumping all the time… It’s like a very long spinning class. But I’m not obsessed with calories, yes it’s true that now I have one of these smart watches and I’ve become a bit fond of it, I keep looking a bit, but I look more at the hours of rest, the number of steps… It amuses me but without going crazy.

And you’re still hitting the bench press hard?

Well no! In recent years I have changed my training habits, and I have replaced bodybuilding, that bench press or those dumbbells, for the bike, street and static. I pedal a lot, which has made me lose a lot of volume, I have lost, but I can also tell you that I feel very good, agile and energetic. More than ever.