DJ Sofia Kourtesis: Berlin's "Corazón" Beats

Sofia Kourtesis, a Peruvian-born DJ now based in Berlin, has released her contribution to the long-running DJ-Kicks series. Her carefully curated mix exemplifies her philosophy of "less perfection, more corazón," featuring a broad spectrum of emotive house music.

Relocating from Lima at 17 to study film, Kourtesis found a sense of belonging in Berlin, a city that contrasts with her native Peru. She describes herself as having a "Latin heart with a German motor," reflecting the fusion of her heritage and her adopted home's electronic music scene.

Kourtesis' DJ-Kicks mix serves as a musical roadmap, incorporating new originals and tracks from friends and contemporaries. The selection draws from global influences, featuring artists from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It navigates through ambient IDM, Detroit techno, French touch, Afro-Peruvian rhythms, and various house subgenres, creating a cinematic soundscape.

The tracks selected highlight artists who embrace imperfections in their music. Kourtesis weaves together diverse sounds, such as Avalon Emerson's "One More Fluorescent Rush" and Logic1000's "Her," alongside her own new productions like the sun-drenched "Texas Changing," demonstrating a unique approach to musical curation.