For this mix, our friend @miraclestew came through with something super fun, flirty, and full of his own edits!
PJ: Tell us about this mix & where you want it to take people.
M: I wanted this mix to feel personal, so almost 75% of tracks in this mix are something I remixed, blended, or edited in some way.  The first track on the mix I blended earlier this year...I was like this is either cute or really dumb, like next level eye roll dumb!  I went with cute, and decided it would be the starting point for the mix.  Then I was like, maybe the entire mix should have no beats at all, more of an ambient vibe because I've been feeling extra moody lately for obvious reasons.  But after listening to my initial attempt, it was a bit too serious and I wasn't feeling it.  I decided to go in a different, more energetic direction that felt more Papi Juice to me.  I've been collecting a lot of baile funk tracks and ripped a lot of them apart in order to create new beats with drum samples I liked.  I also wanted to feature a lot of r&b acapellas I've been into, as well as bits and pieces from nostalgic and somewhat cheesy electronic/pop/club I used to listen to back in the day (i.e. Vengaboys, Basement Jaxx, Amber's 'Sexual').  I just released a 12 track remix album called Recover (available on my bandcamp at miraclestew.bandcamp.com!), of which some vocals and production are featured in this mix. I hope it can relate to people's emotional side, and at the same time take them out of any negative reality for a moment.
PJ: You make really amazing dance music, what do you think the power in dance music is?
M: Personally I am drawn to dance music because I enjoy movement and repetitiveness, as well as the feeling of escape it provides.  A lot of the dance music I am inspired by is about one idea that is repeated over and over that often develops over time.  This gives dance music a transportive quality for me because it makes my mind slow down, even if the music itself has a fast tempo.  I think I really grasped this concept through the work of minimalist classical composer Steve Reich.  Most of his music can be perceived as both fast and slow depending on how you listen to it. Additionally, there is a very shared emotional and physical reaction to dance music that feels instinctual.
PJ: What's your favorite part of the music production process?
M: When I am first thinking about the concept and mood for a track or project, this can be very inspiring and exciting.  But I think the best part of the process is when the work starts taking on a life of its own.  There is a point when my work feels like it wants to write itself, and that is usually a sign that things are becoming very organic. Lately I've been trying to loosen my grip over my own work, and let it take me where it wants to.  This approach has led to more experimentation and having more fun while producing.
PJ: It was your birthday recently, happy birthday! Do you think Leos get a bad rep?
M: Thank you!  I'm probably going to get a lot of flak for this because I feel in the minority when it comes to DJs and astrology, but I don't really read my horoscope ever...!  I do know enough to say that I don't feel like a Leo most of the time - they always sound so confident and willing to do anything to command a room, doesn't sound like me!  Or maybe it does and I just don't know it, or the Leo is hibernating, buried very very deep...or I am in denial lol!?  A recent friend I made here in LA is really into astrology and I'm trying to get into it...slowly...sometimes he sends me horoscopes and I'm like I just can't!
PJ: Where can people send you or a cause you love $?
M: The Children's Defense Fund in California is helping ensure that children, particularly for children of color and those with disabilities, have a fair start at life, and I think this is so critical today. http://cdfca.org/

Papi Juice Mix: Miracles

Papi Juice is an art collective that aims to affirm and celebrate the lives the of queer and trans people of color.
RESIDENT DJs ADAM R. AND OSCAR Nñ:
https://soundcloud.com/acrhodes
https://soundcloud.com/oscarnn

Papi Juice Mix: Miracles

PAPI JUICE