RB Exclusive Interview: Brunello, Ringleader of the Mellow Circus

In an industry often dominated by carefully curated social media personas and gimmicks for the sake of virality, the producer and DJ known as Brunello is a refreshing anomaly. He isn’t chasing fame, and he isn’t trying to fit into the aesthetic of the underground or the high-gloss polish of the mainstream. Instead, he is building a world – a Mellow Circus – rooted in a decade of experimentation and a restless, nearly monastic dedication to his craft.

Coming off a high-energy B2B set with KinAhau at Decadence AZ, Brunello and I sat down to discuss the evolution of his sound, the importance of visual identity, and why his origins might surprise the house music purists.

Recently highlighted by influential community outlets as a top artist to watch for 2026, Brunello remains remarkably detached from the typical metrics of “making it.”

“I feel very fortunate that people listen to my music and really enjoy it,” he says, though his modesty isn’t a performance, it’s a byproduct of his diligence. For him, the creative process is a solitary necessity. “Whether I have one fan or a million fans, it comes down to me just loving what I’m doing… I would be doing this whether nobody knew me or nobody liked me at all, so it’s an interesting place to be in.”

While Brunello pulls from a global palette of influences now, the foundation of his sound was built upon the energy of American dance music culture.

“House music is my love,” he admits, “but I grew up loving all genres of electronic music, and some of the most formative experiences actually came from American bass music. Not because of the actual ‘sound’, necessarily, but the mere fact that this music exists and so many people love it. That’s what gets me excited.”

Growing up in the DC area, Brunello was raised in a household where music was a constant, albeit eclectic, presence. His father favored conceptual rock like U2 and The Rolling Stones, while his mother was all about the groove of Earth, Wind & Fire. However, the foundation of his own musical identity was forged in high school as a member of the drum line.

“I think the drum line was probably the biggest influence that shapes my music today,” Brunello explains. “A lot of the rhythms that I make in my own music are 100% influenced by the drum line… they’re so rooted in my core now.”

This rhythmic obsession eventually eclipsed his life as a college baseball pitcher. After losing his passion for the sport after his freshman year, he transferred to Miami University in Ohio, where he discovered Ableton and entered a period of intense isolation and creativity.

“I was very alone, I really ate every meal by myself. I didn’t know a soul. But I was so content because making music was so impactful in my life,” Brunello recalls. “I was like, if this is all that matters for me, I am going to dedicate my life to it.. I’m going to sacrifice everything.”

If the Ohio years were the forge for the sound, San Diego was where it received a new identity. The name “Brunello” came from a bottle of wine during the pandemic, which sparked the decision to walk away from his old project, New Stereo. He entered this new chapter with zero fans and zero expectations, prioritizing the integrity of the “Brunello” project over any established momentum.

Alongside the artist project came Mellow Circus, a concept that serves as both his independent label and his overarching motif. The name captures the quirky, “circusy” feel present in the music he creates.

“I love the concept of the Mellow Circus and I just felt like it had such a weight in the music,” Brunello says. “It’s not a traditional circus. It’s not just clowns, jesters, big circus tents… the Mellow Circus is a whole different brand.”

Central to this brand is a striking visual identity, often featuring hand-painted, slightly “scary” style of art by a Greek artist named Volk. For Brunello, the artwork is inseparable from the sound. He is outspokenly critical of the generic vinyl cover ubiquitous in house music label art.

“I noticed everyone’s doing kind of the same thing, and thought why don’t I do something different?”

This commitment to being different has earned him recognition from major outlets like Dancing Astronaut and ongoing support from influential, globally recognized DJs who regularly spin his tracks. One of his most validating moments came from playing the legendary Space Miami Terrace twice last year. 

“Space to me is a place where you have to bring your A game. Which means taking chances. And the chances that I took were actually pretty well received, which gives me a lot of confidence.”

He rejects the idea that a set must “rip the roof off” the entire time, preferring to take the crowd on a progression. “I remember trying to be present and enjoy the moment because my next time playing Space is not guaranteed.”

The most emotionally charged moment of our conversation came when Brunello shared a story that transcends the dance floor. It wasn’t about a famous DJ playing his track, but about the real world impact his sound had on those facing trauma. He recalled a message from first responders at the Bondi Beach shooting, who reached out to tell him that his music was their “saving grace” during their darkest week.

“That to me is… the purpose of music. When you have the first responders in Australia telling you that your music gets them through this really tough time, it honestly makes me really emotional even thinking about it because that is so much more important than any DJ. I was brought to tears when I received that message.”

Outside of music, Brunello enjoys a lifestyle defined by staying active and holding a deep appreciation for the arts. He finds balance through golf, basketball, and the gym, noting that “physical exertion is really important” to his process. When he isn’t active, he is an aspiring “movie buff” who uses cinema to trigger new creative mindsets. He considers the South Korean film Parasite a masterpiece and cites Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut as a foundational influence, specifically noting that the film’s underground secret society scenes inspired the aesthetic of the Mellow Circus “beyond words.”

As he prepares for a massive 2026 with a tour schedule that includes EDC Mexico, CRSSD, Lightning in a Bottle, and EDC Thailand, Brunello’s focus remains on creative evolution. He’s currently planning out what a Mellow Circus party may look like, focusing on expanding the brand into a full series of live events.

Ultimately, Brunello’s goal is simple: to create a sound so distinct that it cannot be “lumped in” with anyone else.

“If you’re not [creating your own sound], to me, you’re wasting your time a bit because you’re just copying other people,” he says. “Make what you love and make music that you passionately enjoy… try and build a world that’s bigger than the music.”

In the world of the Mellow Circus, the only rule is to “just do you.”

Connect with Brunello: Instagram | Spotify | SoundCloud