DJ Python is ready to enjoy the milestones

There's always a consideration that comes into everything DJ Python does. Renowned for DJ sets that bring full-throttle elements of techno, denbow and reggaeton into a slowed-down, deep rhythm and productions as soul affirming as they are spine tingling — it's no surprise that the Worldwide Unlimited honcho, aka Brian Piñeyro, chose to bring an emotional edge to his BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix debut. Forgoing the temptation for a "pumping DJ mix" and instead wanting to create something more representative, the "supremely chill" artist chose to include a plethora of his own remixes in the hour-long show.

While the last few years have seen a plethora of collaborative releases from DJ Python, alongside the likes of Ela Minus, Ana Roxanne, Anthony Napes and his new housemate, Nick León— this year will see a string of solo releases, including an EP and mixtape; alongside performances at Dekmantel, Project 6, Nowadays and more.

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Fresh off a move to London from New York, DJ Python is embracing his new surroundings and looking to the future. Ahead of his appearance at Bristol's Simple Things this weekend, we caught up with everyone' talk slowing down, loving loops and wanting to make sure his loved ones take note of their achievements.

You've just debuted your BBC Essential Mix, was that an important milestone for you?

Yeah it definitely meant a lot, Essential Mixes were formative and influential to me. It's also cool that it happened around the time that I moved to London, [I felt] it signified a kind of induction into British culture. I really just wanted to try to create a milestone-type mix, a classic like the Portishead mix or something akin to KLF stuff, rather than just a pumping DJ mix.

How important was it to include your own edits/unreleased music in the mix?

I wanted to do the edits mostly because I wanted to do a mix that flowed in a particular way, paying homage to the Essential Mixes that I was really into. I also wanted to include different kinds of music, and have it flow in and out and of itself properly. My own unreleased music was just a nice thing that I got to add in because I had stuff that I liked that wasn't released yet, that I'm hoping to release in the future.

Do you think it contributes towards the vibe of a set if you can employ your own edits?

I don't really play any of my own stuff out live, but I do enjoy to loop a bunch of stuff at once almost creating edits on the fly while DJing. Organ Tapes really inspired me to DJ like this. I like looping things forever, and with more contemporary club music that can be so maximalist it's nice to loop it a lot and make it more hypnotic — a little like those classic techno stylings.

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You're currently amid a run of shows around the UK, how do you feel UK audiences compare to those at home in the US?

I just moved to London, so I get to play around the UK more. It's cool that the UK doesn't seem hell bent on exclusivity - I think it shows that it lends itself to DJs being able to make decent money without having to go too far all the time. UK audiences are very "up for it" but US are as well. I think things are pretty globalised now, so the difference is more between generations. One thing I have been thinking about is soundsystem culture in the UK, and how a lot of generations seem to all know the same music — there is a lineage that is honoured and passed down... even if it's unknowingly. I think that's very neat, I've been thinking about maybe what that could be in the US or even let's say something comparable between London and NYC. Maybe could be disco/electro/hip hop/house... something like that. But still I don't think the music is passed down generationally the same way. I guess actually Detroit definitely has a lineage of music that is passed down, so that's an example.

You're heading to Bristol for Simple Things this weekend, what can crowds expect from your set?

Yeah I'm excited. Its a great bill and I really appreciate Facta and the Wisdom Teeth crew. I'm not sure what I'll play, I know Facta really enjoys more emotive music and the minimal, so maybe I will go that route. I reckon it depends on how I'm left off from whoever plays before me.

What is coming up next for you?

More music. I'm living with Nick León and Nicolas from TraTraTrax, so expect some collaboration from us, and some honing in on what we have all been doing and building from it. I'm also hoping to collaborate more with Organ Tapes, Munni, Jawnino etc — more experimentation, more mixing of ideas and backgrounds, tropes within the music. I have an EP coming out this year, as well as a mixtape of original solo and collab stuff. I will be playing live more, the classic DJ Python slow/clubby set as well as working with Nick, more live instruments. We just want to experiment, I may just release all of those edits from the BBCEM to the internet.

Hm, what else? Launch a perfume at some point. Release more stuff on my labels Worldwide Unlimited or 5ULTD. I want to be calm. Be funny on Instagram. Maybe write some poetry. It would be nice to get shredded, I would like to go to my first live UFC match at some point this year — maybe get into boxing or something myself. I think we all need a physical outlet, and clubbing can be that for a lot of people. I've been thinking a lot about discipline and dedication. I'm at an age now where that stuff starts coming into focus, I want to be a better person, make amends... be kind, generous and compassionate. I want to try to serve those in need and try to celebrate my friends and family when they reach milestones or even just because, to remind them. I've noticed in life when you reach the goal, the goal posts instantly move forward. I want to slow it down, and enjoy the goal and remind others around me to enjoy the goal too. Thank you! and All the best to you and yours.

DJ Python will appear at Bristol's Simple Things this weekend, for more info and tickets head to simplethingsfestival.co.uk.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter