Despite the imminent collapse of the hype surrounding her, Sofia Kourtesis has, until now, remained one of the dance music scene's best-kept secrets. With a swiftly expanding collection of tracks, projects, collaborations, and performances, her name is likely one you've encountered, perhaps without realizing it. She has performed as a pivotal DJ alongside notable acts like Barry Can’t Swim and Confidence Man, sharing the stage with some of the industry's biggest stars. However, as she confides to Clash, this journey has led her to confront imperfections.
With summer 2025 set to feature a packed schedule of festivals, one of Sofia's recent highlights was supporting Rufus Du Sol at Crystal Palace Park in London – an impressive way to spend a Saturday night.
“It was incredible,” Sofia shares enthusiastically just days later. “I can't quite put into words the feeling of connecting with new fans through bands you meet on tour. I'm truly grateful for this opportunity; receiving such beautiful feedback feels surreal. I never imagined that fans of Rufus would also appreciate my music, as we have quite different styles. I'm starting to step beyond my comfort zone.”
As she prepares for an upcoming US tour with SG Lewis, her global audience continues to expand. This is hardly surprising, given Kourtesis’ eclectic background. Born in Peru and spending her formative teenage years in Germany, she describes her heart as Latin American but her mindset as German.
“Growing up in a household filled with salsa and the early sounds of reggaeton, then moving to Germany as a child and experiencing warehouse parties and Berghain… these two worlds are incredibly distinct,” she explains.
“In South America, we are loud and love to talk. We’re always dressed in bright colors. In Germany, the scene is more new wave, electronic, and techno. I always say my heart is Peruvian because I'm very passionate and full of ideas. However, attending German clubs from their early days was a privilege, as I was fortunate to enter these musical havens.”
Sofia’s debut album 'Madres' in 2023 marked the first comprehensive expression of these contrasting worlds colliding. Following some challenging experiences, including past encounters with homophobia and her mother's ongoing battle with cancer, she miraculously transformed these trials into a profoundly uplifting record that spreads joy to its listeners – a mindset that is evident in Kourtesis’ vibrant personality.
“I believe it’s an album about experiencing the lowest points in your life and discovering hope and positivity through music,” she concurs. “It illustrates how music can connect you to hope and to people who can support you. While writing and tackling this terrible illness, music opened many doors for me, allowing me to meet extraordinary people who could bring hope into my life. This experience transformed my beliefs about hope as well. I dedicated this album to everyone who feels lost in the world, wanting to convey that there is hope available.”
This impactful ten-track album was a significant accomplishment for someone who initially had no ambitions in music. Primarily focused on filmmaking, Sofia juggled working in bars and clubs to support her studies. Rather than facing unemployment afterward, she found herself working as a booking agent.
“As I reflect, everything came together quite organically from that moment on, but from very unique perspectives. When I was 20, I began creating more electronic music. It was the sound surrounding me, and one of the first acts I witnessed was Kraftwerk. I thought their sound was incredible, and I could incorporate some hip-hop and Spanish elements to make it my own.”
“I wanted to craft music that feels more human, where you can cry or dance. Dan [Snaith, Caribou / Daphni] once advised me that all my albums should include 50% ballads and 50% energetic tracks, and I have adhered to that principle ever since. I think 'Madres' is a substantial representation of my 50% love ballads dedicated to my country and my mom, and 50% energetic tracks inspired by my city Berlin, paying homage to Funkhaus, Berghain, and Tresor – places I adore when I want to dance and express my freedom.”
Under his various names, Dan has achieved monumental success in the dance music landscape and has been a fantastic mentor to Kourtesis – though she didn't anticipate him becoming a genuine collaborator. When she sought his feedback on what would turn into 'Unidos', the high-energy lead single from her upcoming EP 'Volver', he provided her with a reimagined version that would be published as a collaborative effort: “Collaborating with someone you admire so deeply is challenging because of the pressure, but since it was purely accidental, the process felt very natural. He’s such a wonderful person, and having his support from the project's inception is a true blessing.”
The highlighted track leans towards the energetic side of the album, echoing party vibes throughout, but there are certainly relaxed elements as well. For instance
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Despite the bubble rapidly collapsing, Sofia Kourtesis has remained one of the best-kept secrets in dance music until now. Her catalog is rapidly expanding.