DJ/producer Santiago Vargas, a rising talent on the New York house scene, has gone by a few monikers over the years, including releasing several tracks as Tiago, but his latest alias, SAV-OURE, feels more like his final form.
Born and raised in Corona, Queens, NYC, he was exposed to a lot of different cultures; the sounds of Latin music, hip-hop, New York house all bouncing between the concrete and shaping the young DJ. Initially, it was hip-hop that really grabbed him and he immersed himself in everything that went with it, including breakdancing. Soon, he discovered the crossover between the two, and he became obsessed with house music. Right now, as a DJ, SAV-OURE is on a killer run in New York City, turning in eclectic sets that explore deep house, tribal, tech-house, Afro-house, techno and more. It’s moody, soulful, but by no means lacking in punch.
As we caught up with him for the latest Complex Sessions, SAV-OURE explains his goal now is to focus on developing his craft, particularly as a producer. Dive in below.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
This mix is a reflection of years spent on the dancefloors, from local underground parties in New York to sets by international DJs, and eventually behind the decks myself. I wanted to give listeners a little piece of who I am. My DJ name, SAV-OURE, comes from my initials—Santiago Arturo Vargas—with “OURE” added to create a word that evokes taste and flavour. That’s what I aim to bring every time I play. Growing up in Corona, Queens, exposed me to an incredible mix of cultures, sounds and traditions. Queens is one of the most diverse places in the world, and every block feels like a different country. That diversity shaped my ears; whether it’s Latin music coming from the bodega, hip-hop from a passing car, or house music blasting from a neighborhood party, all of those influences became part of my identity. Every set I play is a reflection of that experience and the many flavours that make Queens special.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
Without a doubt, “Phat Dope Shit” by Loco Dice. Loco Dice was one of the first DJs I ever saw live when I attended my first rave at Pacha NYC. It’s one of those records that immediately changes the atmosphere and gets people moving. I recently played it during a set and an older DJ came up to me afterward to show his respect because he hadn’t heard it played in years. Moments like that remind me why I love digging for records. Great music never expires.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
The Dennis Ferrer remix of Fish Go Deep’s “Cure & The Cause”. That record is really where everything started for me. I was around 11 or 12 years old and learning how to breakdance. One day, I came across a video of one of my b-boy instructors freestyling to it; the groove was so smooth that I became obsessed with the track. I played it over and over and started searching for songs that gave me the same feeling. That search eventually sent me down the rabbit hole that led me to house music.
Leaving it out was difficult because, honestly, I’d love to include every track that influenced me. For me, the first hour of a set is where the real journey begins and where my creativity starts flowing. I love taking people from disco-house to deep house, tech-house and techno. The best way I can describe my style is through the 7 train running through Queens: every stop introduces you to a different culture, a different flavour, a different perspective. That’s where my musical taste comes from.
What’s the first single or album you ever bought?
Honestly, I don’t think I ever bought an album growing up. I came up during the digital era. LimeWire, burned CDs, MP3 players and custom playlists were my version of collecting music. My earliest musical memory is listening to “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees every Sunday while cleaning the house with my family. That song always made me feel confident. It had this groove that made me feel like I could walk into any room and own it.
Music was always everywhere in my house. One room might be playing Ana Gabriel, another Maná, another Eminem, and then someone else would have Buena Vista Social Club on. Growing up in Corona, Queens, that’s normal—you’re surrounded by different cultures every day. These days, I make it a point to buy music, especially house records. As someone who hopes to produce one day, I believe in supporting artists and respecting their work. If I want people to support my music in the future, I have to support theirs now.
What’s the last physical record you bought?
Recently, I picked up a collection of Afro-house and tribal house records from artists like Louie Vega, Black Coffee, Shimza and &ME. I’ve been spending a lot of time learning Afro-house because it’s one of the fastest-growing sounds in club culture right now. It’s becoming increasingly popular in New York, especially within underground scenes and emerging venues. As someone with Dominican roots who grew up in Queens, I find it exciting to hear the influence it’s having across different communities and countries. As a DJ, I want to remain versatile. Whether it’s house, jackin’ house, deep house, minimal, tech-house or Afro-ouse, I want to understand the music deeply enough to connect with any crowd standing in front of me.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I’d love to see a stronger appreciation for originality in house music. The roots of house music come from communities that created something beautiful out of struggle, acceptance and self-expression—those foundations deserve to be celebrated. What attracted me to house music wasn’t just the sound; it was also the feeling. The sense of unity, the freedom to dance and the genuine connections people build through the culture: that’s the spirit I hope continues to grow.
And personally, I hope to affect this change and do my part over the next year. I want to keep learning. That means studying music theory, production, labels, artists and the stories behind the records. I want to understand what inspired producers to create the tracks that have shaped dance music culture. I also want to travel more. New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world, but it’s still only one place. I want to experience different scenes, meet new people and play for audiences in different parts of the world.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
Gatekeeping. Sometimes in New York’s underground scene, people become more focused on status, exclusivity and being the person with all the connections than on building community. House music was founded on unity; it’s about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, regardless of background. So I’d love to see more collaboration and less competition, because no one succeeds alone. The strongest scenes are built when DJs, promoters, dancers and music lovers support each other and grow together. At the end of the day, we’re all showing up for the same reason. We all have our own struggles and responsibilities. We come together through music to release stress, connect with others, dance, and feel free. That’s what house music has always been about, and that’s what I hope never changes.
Tracklisting:
1. Marc Ashken, SOS - Cat Walk feat. SOS (Original)
2. M.A.N.D.Y, Booka Shade, Laurie Anderson - O Superman (Remaster)
3. Pirahna - Dancing Feels Like feat. Goddess Stephanie (Original)
4. Tuccillo - Street Jungle (Original Mix)
5. Silicone Soul, Fango - Right On, Right On (Extended Mix)
6. Street Slang - Cheeba (Original Mix)
7. Loco Dice - Phat Dope Shit
8. Ilario Alicante - Vacaciones En Chile (2000 And One, Lauhaus, Kabale Und Liebe Remix)
9. Andrea Appolloni, David Pher - Hello Momo! (David Pher Remix)
10. Mendo, Andre Butano - Gringo feat. Andre Butano (Original Mix)
11. Sylvester - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (Soulwax For Despacio Remix)
