Magnetic Mix: Massio
For this latest edition in the mix series, we sat down with the creative mind behind Rythmica, the label focused on deep, rhythm-led electronic music that has taken him from desert art gatherings to major festival stages. Massio sits at the intersection of detailed preparation and instinct, shaped by years of refining how he organizes music, tests new tracks, and reads a room in real time.
In this mix, he leans into that approach with a selection that moves through Afro-house, melodic textures, and vocal-driven moments, all grounded in a clear sense of flow from start to finish. Below you can find the full tracklist, followed by a conversation about how he thinks about preparation, focus, and the point where technical skill and instinct start to feel like one process behind the decks.
What does flow feel like for you behind the decks?
Flow for me is a clear state of mind — being completely present and navigating my library with confidence. It’s knowing every detail of my most current selection — every break, drop, and transition point.
That deep familiarity comes from practice. When you’ve tested and lived through your tracks, flow becomes effortless. I always pre-test new tunes in the studio, because some tracks hit differently live than they do in headphones. Once I’m comfortable, everything connects naturally — that’s when true flow happens.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or mental cues that help you get into that state?
Definitely. Being well-rested and mentally grounded is essential. Knowing my music library inside and out gives me peace of mind before stepping on stage. On show days, one of my go-to rituals is spending time in nature during the morning — hiking, running, meditation are my go to rituals. It helps me recharge, reset, and carry a calm but powerful energy into the night.
How do you know when you’ve truly hit flow mid-set — and what helps you get there faster?
You feel it. Your brain and body start syncing with every beat, every reaction in the room. After an hour or so, it’s like your body expands — everything becomes instinctual.
I know I’ve hit flow when each transition feels timeless and the progression unfolds naturally, track after track. A well-organized playlist and preparation help me get there faster — that’s the foundation of every great journey behind the decks.
Has your ability to access flow changed over time? What’s helped?
The ability itself hasn’t changed — but the tools have. Over time, better organization systems and tech have helped me find the right track at the perfect moment. The more structured my library, the easier it is to trust my instincts. Experience also helps — with time, you learn to let go and just feel the music.
What tends to pull you out of flow — and how do you recover when that happens?
Playing an untested or unfamiliar track can throw things off.
Sometimes it works beautifully — other times it shifts the energy in a direction you didn’t plan. You can sense it immediately in the crowd’s reaction. The key is reading the room — adjusting, not forcing. A skilled DJ can always recover the vibe by understanding where the audience’s energy wants to go next.
Are there specific venues, crowds, or times of night that make flow feel more natural?
It’s a mix of all three — the crowd, the venue, and the timing.
A packed room at the right hour almost generates its own current of energy, making it easier to lock in. But small venues can be just as powerful — more intimate, more emotional. It’s all about adaptation. When all three elements align, flow becomes second nature.
When you’re in that state, does your mixing get more instinctual or more precise?
Both. In flow, precision and instinct merge into one motion. Every EQ adjustment, every fade, every track choice becomes seamless. It’s almost like magic — the technical skill blends with intuition.
That’s when the night transforms into a journey, and the crowd feels it too. In those moments, you’re not just performing — you’re channeling energy, shaping the atmosphere. That’s the real purpose of a DJ: to craft and sustain that collective vibe every single night.
