BIO:

Mario Tavares is a multi-instrumentalist and producer of Portuguese descent, based out of San Jose, California. He pulls from a wide range of musical interests to create a sound unique to himself. His music can move between moments of tension and anticipation to joyful and celebratory release. His sound ranges from house with jazz and soul influences to lush, melodic-house and techno. As a DJ, he looks to create an experience that serves the people on the dance floor and not one to highlight himself.

He began his musical journey at age 8 on brass instruments, eventually becoming a soloist on the trumpet in his local Portuguese cultural philharmonic. He eventually picked up the guitar, then bass and by the time he was 19, his band had signed a production deal with famed 880 Studios in Oakland, California. In the late 90’s he was introduced to the rave culture of San Francisco and an entire new world revealed itself to him. With the help of his best friend, he would learn how to DJ between band practice. He began his electronic music production journey by way of a local community college that offered classes on sequencing, synthesis and the DAW.

During the lockdown period, which happened as a result of COVID-19, he turned back to music in an attempt help manage the feelings of isolation and uncertainty that come with such an unprecedented event. He eventually managed to attract the attention of Dj, Producer and Label Head Lubelski, who along with RYBO and Wyatt Marshall, offered Mario a chance to release his first EP on Percomaniacs. Sweet Dreams, the EP, reached #1 on the Beatport House Top 100 Release and #2 on the Beatport Top 100 Releases across all genres. The single, also named Sweet Dreams, reached #23 on the Beatport Top 100 House Singles chart.

Mario continues to work on what’s important to him; music as a means of personal expression.