EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
‘MIXMAG & DON JULIO TEAM UP… ‘IN SWISS LUXURY SKI RESORT,
VERBIER.’ Back in March, the Mixmag Germany team embar- ked on a journey from Geneva to the Swiss Alps. We marveled at the stunning views of the vast lake and the charming countryside that unfolded before us as we ascended by gondola to the lofty heights of the snow-covered mountains in one of the world’s most beautiful ski resorts, Verbier, Switzerland.
Our mission?
To put on the first-ever Mixmag LAB Verbier; an electrifying party nestled in a secret location amidst the breathtaking scenery of the 4 Vallées ski area.
But this LAB session was different. Brought to life with Don Julio tequila as part of the “Por Amor Weekender” this was a celebration of those who bring their passion, dedication & fire to music. And so, despite the distinct mountain chill and a DJ booth sculpted from ice, the party was anything but chilled.
We found ourselves immersed in an electrifying gathering, with Purple Disco Machine taking center stage in the DJ ice booth. Surrounded by fellow music lovers and the inspiring view of the mountainside, we surrendered to the rhythm, letting the music carry us as Don Julio Palomas flowed.
After the show, we had the incredible opportunity to catch up with Tino (PDM), we found a cozy spot in the snow and reflected on the unforgettable set we had just witnessed.
“I was excited because I’d never done this. I’d never played in the snow, and I mean, the view was amazing. It was freezing cold; colder
than I’d
expected. But there was a great energy, even in this temperature everyone enjoyed it, and it was a great vibe.”
He described the set as a memorable experience, noting the opportunity to test out new tracks after a nine-week hiatus from performing.
“Everyone had a nice time. I enjoyed it, and I got to play some new stuff… It’s the first show since 8… No, it’s been 9 weeks, I came to try some new things and it was pretty cool.”
Understanding the time it takes oneself to re- charge is extremely important, and for Tino, it’s a routine that not only allows him to prepare for what’s coming but also to spend time with the people he loves—something we all should do.
“So, every year I take December, January, and February off. My last show was New Year’s Eve, and I haven’t played since then. For me, it’s quite important to take every year off to recharge my battery, to take care of my family, and to think about the new year, what we can do better, what we should change, and what’s going on just to rethink all the plans. I need to take a step back and start again.”
Reflecting on the challenges of juggling family life with a demanding touring schedule, Tino emphasi- zed the need to find a balance and cherish moments both on and off stage.
“In the beginning, I was a bit worried that it wouldn’t be possible to combine a private life and being on the road because 10 years ago I only saw DJs cons- tantly touring and I thought OK the only chance to be successful or to stay successful on a high level is just to tour around the world constantly.”
“Then, I realized that for me, it helps a lot if I take bigger breaks just to calm down. Also, my family knows me; I don’t think I’m the biggest thing in the world. If you just go on tour and sleep in five-star hotels and everyone takes care of you, you start thinking you’re the biggest guy in the world. This is a big problem. When I go back to my family, I live a normal life, I have to address normal problems; I’m a regular guy. My friends have been the same for the last 20 years. So, I have a normal life when I’m at home. It’s important for me to stay grounded.”
Despite his success, he remains grounded, acknowledging the pitfalls of ego and the transient nature of fame in the music industry.
“That’s so important, especially when you grow ol- der, and you learn a lot about the business. I still see all these kids; they just blow up and get crazy and act like they’re superstars and two years later they’re gone. I think staying humble and not taking yourself too seriously is good advice. If you think you’re big- ger than your music, your career is over. So, I try to stay humble and don’t think that I’m bigger than my music. For me, it’s all about my music.”
A recurring theme in our conversation was the im- portance of authenticity and staying true to your- self in music. We asked Tino about this new Don Julio adventure, the “Por Amor Weekender” whose central theme is following your heart and how this relates to him and the music he makes.
“This is the most important advice, just follow your heart. Everyone is just trying to be someone, trying to pretend to be someone. I think it’s not easy nowa- days to follow your heart or follow your gut feelings. It’s so important to be yourself.”
“I mean right now the 90s are back, so everyo- ne is going back to the 90s, everyone is playing 140 BPMS. For me, it is so important to follow your heart because you do what you want and love to do. Just do it for yourself and not for everybody else.”
On this note we jumped into social media and how it feels to have grown up in a generation where it just didn’t matter.
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