Santiago Cortes – The Story Behind “Umbrellone” (2025 Release on AudioWave Records)

Some tracks are born instantly. Others take years to find their moment. And then there are those rare records whose journeys stretch across decades, shaped by memories, mentors, loss, and pure musical destiny.

“Umbrellone,” the brand-new 2025 release from Santiago Cortes on AudioWave Records, belongs to that last category.

Its story begins all the way back in 2007, inside one of the most iconic nightlife institutions in the world — PACHA Ibiza.

The Moment That Sparked It All – PACHA, Ibiza, 2007

In 2007, the global dance scene was exploding. Swedish House Mafia were beginning their rise, and their track “Umbrella” became an instant underground favourite — especially in Ibiza.

At that time, Santiago Cortes was still young, still discovering his sound, and still finding his place in electronic music. But everything changed during those unforgettable nights at PACHA.

Erick Morillo, one of the most influential DJs of all time, played "Umbrella" again and again — and every time the crowd erupted. Santiago describes it as:

“Absolute euphoria. The atmosphere, the energy… every time Erick dropped it, the place went wild. It was one of those moments that stays with you forever.”

That moment planted a seed.

Inspired in Cartagena, Colombia – A New Idea Is Born

Back home in Cartagena, Santiago shared the excitement with his close friend from childhood. The two were obsessed with the feel, groove, and emotion of “Umbrella,” and together they dreamed of creating something in the same spirit — but with their own identity.

Erick Morillo’s repeated support for the original track only intensified their fire.

They didn’t want to copy it.

They wanted to evolve it — to honour it while pushing it somewhere unexpected.

And then came the breakthrough:

“Let’s take the energy of ‘Umbrella’… and fuse it with Gypsy guitars.”

Something no one else had done.

The Sound – Disco Foundations & Gypsy Soul

To ground the record, Santiago turned to one of the most influential sounds in dance history:

Donna Summer – “I Feel Love”produced by Giorgio Moroder.

He built the track around a simple, hypnotic, Moroder-style bassline — giving it a timeless, disco-driven foundation with a modern lift.

Then came the magic.

Santiago brought in Gypsy guitarists from La Peña, Ibiza, known for their raw, passionate, unmistakable sound.Their energy transformed the track completely, adding culture, fire, and authenticity.

Suddenly the vision was clear:

A tribute to “Umbrella.”A fresh direction.A fusion of disco, house, and Gypsy soul.

Santiago called it:

“Umbrellone.”

A respectful nod to the original, but unmistakably his.

A Pause, A Loss… and A Promise

Just as the project was gaining momentum, tragedy struck:Erick Morillo passed away.

His death hit the global dance community hard — and for Santiago, it made the track too emotionally heavy to release at that time.

“Umbrellone” was shelved.

Not forgotten — just sleeping.

Waiting for the right moment.

2025 – The Year of Revival

Nearly two decades later, the world has changed — and so has Santiago Cortes.

With renewed inspiration, deeper experience, and a sharper artistic identity, Santiago returned to the project in 2025. He refined the production, enhanced the mix, and added the final touches the track always deserved.

And this time, the moment was right.

Today, Santiago proudly joins forces with the acclaimed UK label AudioWave Records — one of the fastest-rising brands in electronic music — to finally bring “Umbrellone” to life.

It isn’t just a release.

It’s a story.

A memory.

A tribute.

A journey across continents, clubs, friendships, and years of evolution.

“Umbrellone” is more than a track. It’s history finding its beat again.

2025. AudioWave Records.

Santiago Cortes returns — and the world finally gets to hear the song that was 18 years in the making.