Mixmag Asia Radio 169: Florian Picasso & Two Dots at Pillbox Beijing

With a name like Picasso, legacy isn’t something you can easily escape, but Florian Picasso is building one entirely his own. As for Two Dots, this particular mix sees her leaning into harder-hitting sounds than her usual fare, which might seem like risky business, but it’s definitely paid off.

Fresh off the back of their joint Asia tour, the hardgroove and techno artists touched down in Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Ulaanbaatar and Hong Kong, bringing their European-rooted sound across the continent.

For Florian Picasso, the tour marked a kind of homecoming. A chance to head back to his roots and road-test a more psychological, tension-led approach to DJing that trades constant peaks for longer emotional arcs.

For Two Dots, it was a first encounter with Asia, one that sent her digging back into the raw acid, techno and hardgroove sounds that shaped her earliest nights out in France.

With the sets being recorded at Beijing’s underground hotspot Pillbox (known for its no-phones, no-frills approach to clubbing), we spoke with the pair to discuss the legacy of the Picasso name, how Asia differs from the West, Dekadance, the region’s surprising scenes, and much more.

Firstly, you’ve just wrapped up your Asia tours. How’ve you found it?

Florian: Honestly, this tour meant a lot. Coming back to Asia after all these years, the last time was 2019, brought back emotions I wasn’t even expecting. Over the past year, I’ve evolved a lot creatively, and this moment felt aligned with where I am now, both musically and personally. I feel more connected to my sound than ever before, more intentional with the direction I’m taking.

What really stayed with me was the energy from the people. Every city had its own vibe, its own rhythm, but everywhere there was this real sense of trust and curiosity on the dancefloor. People were open to going on a journey with me, and that connection is what makes these moments unforgettable.

Two Dots: It’s been amazing honestly. I’d wanted to go to Asia for years, so when the tour got announced it really felt like a dream to me. I loved the countries, the people, the culture, and all the landscapes I got to discover. Doing what you love while meeting new people and visiting new countries is such a blessing, and I never take it for granted. It was really inspiring and fulfilling.


What’s something about dancefloor culture in Asia that (still) surprises you compared to Europe?

Florian: There’s a real energy there right now. People are super connected to music and they know what they’re listening to, but at the same time they’re very open. That’s something I felt in every city. I could really take my time with the set, move through different emotions and tempos, and people stayed with me the whole way. It never felt like they were just waiting for a big drop or one specific moment. They were fully inside the journey with me, and as a DJ that’s the best feeling.

Two Dots: The first thing that surprised me was the nightlife schedule. I realised Europeans usually go out way later, while in Asia peak time is often around 1AM and clubs close earlier. Apart from that, the energy was amazing everywhere. Cool people, good dancers, really nice souls. I feel like every city has its own vibe and identity, but at the end we all connect through the music.


Was there a specific city or moment on tour that caught you off guard?

Florian: The people in Mongolia; the crowd, the energy! I didn’t really know what to expect before going there, and maybe that’s why it hit me so hard. You don’t immediately think of Mongolia when you think about electronic music culture, but what’s happening there is real. There’s this raw passion and curiosity that you can feel the second you step into the room.

Two Dots: I really loved Hong Kong, it was probably one of my favourite stops on the tour. The nightlife is wild and the city feels so unique to me, like a huge city hidden inside a jungle. I really enjoyed spending time there.


If you had to name one track that’s been your secret weapon on tour, what would it be?

Florian: My new unreleased ‘Flute fist’.

Two Dots: ‘Movimento Lento’ by Outer909’. A Real weapon, haha. People go wild every time.

Tell us about Pillbox the night of this recording; how was the atmosphere?

Florian: Pillbox felt intense in the best way. Very close, very sweaty, very locked in. The crowd was fully committed from the beginning, and there was this real sense of unity in the room. Those nights are always special because it stops feeling performative. It becomes more like an exchange of energy where everyone contributes to the atmosphere together. Beijing has a very distinct vibe creatively right now, and you could really feel that.

Two Dots: I really loved that club. Red neon lights, intimate vibes, cool people, proper underground atmosphere, good music. The club is insane honestly. What I loved too is that people weren’t constantly on their phones, even without a no-phone policy. We definitely need more clubs like this in France. Iconic night, honestly.


Read this next: The Asia Diaries: Explore Chingyi's sonic journey & creative exchange across China


Tell us a bit about your mix! Why is it special to you?

Florian: It’s special because I got to play records that had more depth sonically, and showcased a part of me I’ve always wanted to.

Two Dots: This mix is special to me because I’m playing harder and rawer sounds than usual. A lot of old tracks from before COVID-19, from a time when I used to go out a lot and nightlife felt more carefree before everything shut down. I don’t usually play that hard, but I felt nostalgic for that era and wanted to share that feeling with people. There’s acid, techno, old-school hardgroove, sometimes drifting into hard techno and psytrance, a very intense set honestly.


After touring the region, in your opinion, what’s something Europe still misunderstands about nightlife in Asia?

Florian: Techno is alive!

Two Dots: The emotional connection on the dancefloor is universal. The crowds in Asia are incredibly open minded and deeply connected to the music, sometimes even more present in the moment than in Europe!


Your favourite dancefloor in Asia?

Florian: Honestly Pillbox and Iso Room because of the people.

Two Dots: I really loved playing at Iso Room in Ulaanbaatar. The vibe was immaculate, the people, the energy, everything. One of the best gigs I’ve ever had, honestly. I really hope I can come back soon, both to explore more and experience the nightlife again.


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What’s the biggest advantage of touring as a duo, and what’s the biggest thing that drives you insane about each other?

Florian: The biggest advantage is definitely perspective. When you tour constantly, your perception can become distorted because everything moves so fast. Having someone beside you helps keep you grounded creatively and mentally. The thing that drives you insane is probably decision-making. Touring really reveals how irrational humans become when sleep-deprived.

Two Dots: Touring as a duo is really special because you go through both the good and the hard moments together, the jet lag, the exhaustion, all the travelling from plane to plane. Sharing all those memories with Florian and Adrien, our videographer and photographer, is something I’ll never forget.


Who’s one artist from Asia more people should know about?

Florian: Ken Ishii from Japan.

Two Dots: I really love Nujabes. I know he’s already very respected, but I still feel like not enough people in France truly know his music. It’s kind of my comfort music when I’m working or travelling.

Your recent sets seem to lean more towards tension and storytelling. Has your approach to DJing become more psychological?

Florian: Definitely. Over time, I became less interested in chasing constant peak moments and more focused on creating a real journey throughout the set. For me, the balance is important. You need tension, you need space, because if everything is at the same intensity all the time, nothing really stays with you.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot more about pacing and how certain sounds or transitions affect people emotionally, sometimes without them even realising it. A lot of the strongest moments aren’t necessarily the biggest drops. Sometimes it’s the build before, or the feeling that stays in the room right after. I still want the music to feel powerful and physical, of course, but I also want people to leave feeling like they went through something emotionally, not just energetically.


There’s quite a hefty legacy that comes with the name ‘Picasso’. How do you find navigating the scene with that?

Florian: It’s something I’ve had to learn over time. Growing up around art obviously shaped my perspective creatively, but identity has layers. You can respect where you come from while still building something that feels honest and personal to you.

At the end of the day, music is one of the few spaces where people can immediately tell if something is authentic or not. Either the connection is real or it isn’t. That’s what keeps me grounded.


Read this next: Jeff Mills: “Techno is the perfect universal language in which to communicate”


What are some of your personal highlights with Dekadance and DKD? And where are you hoping to take it moving forward?

Florian: Our first big show in London with Boys Noize at Village Underground when Skrillex came to hang out, and also our ADE shows. I want to do less events but more meaningful ones. I've paused it for a bit but we are back soon for summer!

You mentioned that Bristol and UK bass culture completely changed your perspective when you were younger. What was the first rave or sound that genuinely rewired your brain?

Two Dots: The first rave that really rewired my brain was before COVID-19, when I saw Ellen Allien playing for BNK. I remember completely losing my mind, haha! The UK scene was and still is a huge inspiration to me. I think it’s important to never forget where you come from musically, and those sonorities will always stay with me.


We heard you originally came from singing and songwriting before techno. Do you think this has molded the way you curate sets?

Two Dots: Yeah, definitely! It helped me a lot with music theory, melodies, harmonies…now I’m really focused on mixing in key, finding melodies and sounds that work together naturally. It’s not everything, of course, but it definitely adds something to the way I build sets.


In the past, you’ve said “Annecy gave you silence and Paris gave you noise”. Now after touring Asia, did any cities here remind you more of one or the other?

Two Dots: Honestly I think I found both everywhere. Some cities felt super intense and overwhelming, especially at night, while Tokyo sometimes felt really peaceful to me despite how huge it is. I think travelling gives you both silence and noise at the same time, and creatively I really love that balance.

Listen to both mixes on Mixmag Asia’s SoundCloud.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

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