Mauro Picotto Packs Energy and Emotion Into His Dreamstate SoCal 2017 Mix

Dreamstate always makes sure to sprinkle in a fair share of legendary artists on their festival lineups, like how they have Mauro Picotto down in the books for his Dreamstate debut in November. The Italian DJ/producer kicked off his career in 1989 as a legit turntablist. And by the time the late ‘90s rolled around, he’d achieved superstar status, long before an entire generation would start to take the DJ profession seriously.

Mauro’s influence as a producer in the late ‘90s—a time when trance reigned over the airwaves in Europe—can still be felt to this day. The man has several bona fide dance classics to his name—including “Lizard (Gonna Get You),” “Iguana,” and “Komodo (Save a Soul)”—each poking its way into the UK Top 100. The latter also led him to be the first DJ to mix live on Top of the Pops.

These early successes made him a highly sought-after producer, flipping beats for Freddie Mercury and U2. And while he could have continued to count on these milestones to fuel his career for years to come, he’s always felt more comfortable changing with the tides.

Mauro says he likes changes “because they make you discover new things, set new goals, and most importantly, they don’t make me bored. I prefer to start new routes rather than follow paths that have already been explored. I easily change directions to try new things.”

His adaptability has led him to update his sound over the years, incorporating the driving energy of techno as the central focus of his sets. But don’t you worry, Dreamers, he hasn’t forsaken the feels completely.

When asked about how he plans to throw it down at Dreamstate, Mauro had this to say:

Music genres limit [someone] too much. They are for people who are scared to discover new and alternative things. Music is listened to with ear, and its vibrations communicate with the body and the heart. There is good music and bad music. I play what I like; it has to be nice, with a beautiful groove that makes it danceable. Everything else is for people who write reviews, sitting at their desks. I will play a set with my productions and also tracks of producers I like—a mix of energy and emotions.

We scored a sticky and sweet mix from Mauro to help you get your pregame on before we head over to Dreamstate SoCal. It happens to be filled to the brim with some saucy, melodious grooves, as well as a few updated versions of his classics.

Dreamstate SoCal 2017 takes place Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, November 24, and Saturday, November 25, at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 11, at noon PT. For more information, visit the official website.

Follow Mauro Picotto on Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter
Follow Dreamstate on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram