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There’s a surprising relationship at the centre of Sofia Kourtesis’ debut album Madres . An album in large part dedicated to her mother, there’s also another person, one without whom this album would never have been made. Peter Vajkoczy. Vajkoczy is a neurosurgeon, one of the very best neurosurgeons in the world in fact, and Madres is dedicated to him. The story of how a world-renowned neurosurgeon came to appear in the liner notes of this record is one of tenacity, miracles, all-consuming love and ultimately, of hope. When she began work on her debut, Kourtesis was seemingly unstoppable. A string of rapturously received EPs and singles made her one of the fastest rising stars in the electronic world and beyond. She has already graced the cover of Mixmag , released a brilliantly energetic and moving Resident Advisor ‘RA Session’, appeared on ‘ End of Year ’ lists from the likes of The New York Times , Pitchfork , DJ Mag and Spotify (#6 Best Electronic Song ) and played instant sell-out early shows at L ondon ’s Lafayette and Manchester ’s YES as well as standout performances at Glastonbury , Green Man , Wide Awake and Primavera and tours supporting Caribou and Bicep . In amongst touring and working though Sofia was rushing home to Peru at any opportunity to be with her mother, who some months after the passing of her father – the subject of Kourtesis’ breakout single ‘La Perla’ – had been diagnosed with cancer and was deterioratingly rapidly. “Doctors were all the time calling me to say goodbye to her, for months” she recalls. Refusing to lose hope, Sofia had spoken to every doctor she could get hold of and all of them told her chances were low, operation was too risky. Having read about Vajkoczy but knowing he was in incredibly high demand; in desperation she posted a music snippet (that would go on to be title-track and previous single ‘Madres’) on social media. “If anyone can put me in touch with Peter Vajkoczy, I’ll dedicate this song to him. I just need two minutes to talk to him”, she wrote. Vajkoczy heard it and, remarkably, reached out, “can you be here tomorrow?”, he replied. He agreed to operate, it would take hours and was incredibly risky, but he would try. The operation was a success and Sofia’s mother’s life is extended further than anyone could have possibly hoped. Currently #4,403 in the BookedDJ global ranking. Bookings are handled by 3D Agency.
