Interviews
Behind The Scenes Of Kastello’s Debut EP ‘Kosmic’ — Interview
Kastello is a name on everybody’s lips at the moment, especially with the release of his debut EP ‘Kosmic’. After graduating from Icon Collective Music Production school it is clear that the young DJ and Producer has some serious talent. Find out a bit more about Kastello and behind the scenes of his EP ‘Kosmic’ below.
1 – What do you get up to outside of your music career?
I work a shuttle driving job during the day. It helps me sustain my finances and also reinvest in my music for whatever I need. Whether that’s a new DAW or new plug-ins, some new equipment, a new laptop, graphic designer for artwork, etc. it helps me get the job done! I’m currently working that job for 50 hours a week and I still manage to get in a bunch of studio time and continue to release content at a good pace. I don’t have and never will have any cracked software, so I continue to work and put that money to my equipment to make even better music with each release. Aside from work and being in the studio, I play video games and basketball. I have been playing basketball since I was about 6 years old and I played organized basketball for about 10 years, winning some championships and what not. I will always have basketball in my life no matter what else I choose to do because no matter what’s going on in my personal life, when I play basketball nothing else matters to me and I get to be away from it all for some time. It feels good.
2 – What was the inspiration behind the theme of the ‘Kosmic’ EP?
My biggest inspiration behind the theme of Kosmic EP came to me while producing each track. I had been merging genres, sounds, and styles that I’ve always been influenced by and thought this body of work comes from somewhere I hadn’t been to physically, but somewhere I had been mentally or emotionally. That’s where all the outer space track titles and cover art come from! Kosmic was also the project where I chose to do a complete genre/image switch with. I really wanted to make a unique impact on the EDM bass music scene. My managers, as well as classmates and friends I went to Icon Collective Music Production School with had heard my unreleased bass music and always told me to make the genre switch because it would work out better for me. Looking back I would have to agree it really did work out for the better! Going forward, I’m so excited to finish and release all the new tracks I’m working on right now! The best is still yet to come…
3 – Do you have a favourite track from your latest EP? If so why?
I can’t decide between ‘Kosmic’ or ‘The Launch’ but I have reasons for both. ‘Kosmic’ is a melodic, peak time banger track that I can use in pretty much any set and get a reaction from the crowd. It’s almost like a secret weapon on my USB. I had the most fun producing this track as well because it touches all the styles and sounds I’ve been the most influenced by in bass music, but I was able to give it my own unique twist and have it stand out in the EP! ‘The Launch’ is the perfect set opener for me, it introduces a happy melody but quickly breaks down into a dark vibe and that for sure will get the crowd’s attention to start things off. I also believe that in both of these tracks you can hear many similarities that distinguish what can be known as my own unique style/sound. The feedback I’ve gotten on these tracks also clarified which tracks really stood out. All in all, both of these tracks stand out and for sure will turn heads to draw the crowd in!
4 – How long did the process of writing and producing the ‘Kosmic’ EP take?
I started working on this project in the summer of 2017. I had ideas all over the place for the theme, the title, the track titles and what I wanted the cover art to represent. I decided to begin with working on the tracks and let it all come together as each piece was finished. I created about 15-20 extra song ideas in the process of trying to write the perfect body of work for what I wanted to represent. That process really elevated my skills and creativity as a producer, and some of those extra song ideas I produced are now being worked on to be tracks for future releases! When each track was finalized, I would always get thoughts of outer space, that’s when the track names started to come to me and my managers helped me come up with ‘Kosmic’ to represent the EP title and the overall energy. The reaction and support I’ve received on the EP thus far have been exactly what I aimed for.
5 – Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I can see myself touring around the world and being a major act in the festival scene. I’ve always had the festival performance mentality and I’ve always dreamt about performing at some of the powerhouse festivals across the globe, such as Ultra, EDC, Tomorrowland, and Coachella. I love to produce and record all styles of music whether it’s being released or not and whether it can be played in a festival set or not.
I would love the opportunity to work with some rappers and produce some hip-hop beats too. I can also see myself doing soundtracks for movies, TV shows, video games, commercials etc. as I have always been amused by the thought of having a movie or commercial go along with music I had created. I would also love to create some sound effects for video games in the future or even gadget devices like phones and computers. I have much more in my arsenal than just EDM or festival music!
6 – Who are your biggest influences?
I would definitely have to say some of my biggest influencers are Daft Punk, Skrillex, Deadmau5 and Swedish House Mafia. They were the artists I would say that really made me fall in love with electronic music in the first place. I remember being 7 years old and hearing Daft Punk for the first time and my mind was blown! I was constantly asking my brother for the song name or artist name but neither of us could find out. For months we went on and almost forgot about the track but then we finally came across it on TV with the track name and song title and it was all history from there! My brother is also another huge influence on my early days listening to electronic music. He was the person who introduced me to the artists I’m influenced by and would tell me more about them. He actually wanted to be a DJ/producer before I ever did. If my brother never showed me those tracks and artists and told me more about them, I might have never had the interest to want to produce electronic music and be what I am today.
7 – What has been your favourite event to DJ at?
Recently in September 2018, I played a show in Las Vegas. I was humbled by the introduction the promoters gave me when I arrived and when they checked me into my room. I was offered rides from the hotel drivers to go around Las Vegas and was also offered free drinks during and after my performance! The show was great, I had the crowd really energized and the promoters even told me I had the best performance of the night which was amazing to hear! I felt very accomplished to know that I can definitely rock a Vegas club crowd! I had lots of fun that weekend and was truly an eye-opening experience. I absolutely can’t wait to be back there again for another performance!
8 – Do you have any funny stories from a gig you’ve played?
Going back to my early days, one time back in high school when I would DJ house parties, I was the DJ for one of the craziest high school parties I’ve ever been to. So the night started off slowly with just a few people showing up and I was thinking to myself, “why did I agree to DJ this party..” but I just put my head down and started to play the music I had prepared and was trying to make the best of it. About an hour later I slowly realized by doing that it really got the party started and the dance floor was starting to fill up over capacity! The chaos started here, the white walls of the house turned black from bodies grinding up against it while dancing at capacity, one guy’s girlfriend was so drunk that he tried to wake her up by punching her and only gave her a black eye passed out, and we had about $25,000 of damages to the house that had to be remodeled. Someone also smashed a whole watermelon in my DJ equipment boxes but luckily none of my equipment were inside the box. This is still the craziest and funniest gig I’ve ever performed at.
9 – Do you have any more upcoming projects or gigs we can look forward to?
I have just started working on my second EP, I still don’t know what the theme of that one will be but I do have goals in mind. My debut EP was ‘Kosmic’, and with that, I produced all 5 tracks by myself and really wanted to show off what I’m capable of as a solo producer. So with this second EP, I’m taking on vocalists and other producers to collaborate with. I’m planning on producing anywhere from 5-7 tracks for that EP. I have already started contacting a few vocalists that I would love to be featured. Aside from the new EP, I have been contacted by three different record labels and I’m preparing some demo tracks to send to their labels for possible releases. I also got an invitation from a top 10 DJ’s record label and I’m very excited to share my demos with their team and see where that goes! I can’t say who it is yet but I’m sure you guys will hear about it when it’s being released!
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Paul Mayson‘s first-ever album, ‘One Life,’ is like a special mix of his love for House music, blended with different kinds of sounds and cool collaborations from artists all over the world. You definitely don’t want to miss this interview!
1 — With the release of your debut album ‘One Life,’ what are your expectations for how listeners will connect with the music?
My goal was to showcase my story and my sound. And for it to be an uplifting, positive, and summery album. Hopefully, it feels like that! It’s a collection of songs made at the moment, to make you feel happy and free. It’s about embracing life, the good things and the bad. And about doing what makes you happy.
2 — You’ve teamed up with a diverse range of international artists on this material. Please let us know how these collaborations came to be.
It was really exciting taking elements from different genres, working with a group of great artists who come from very different backgrounds, and bringing all of these sounds and flavors together on one project. A lot of artists I meet myself, reach out to the people I’m interested in. I often travel abroad to work on music together and do sessions in London or LA. Sometimes collabs can also happen through the label or the publisher, but ultimately it’s great to have an artist-to-artist relationship.
3 – What compelled you to emphasize the themes of life, freedom, and diversity in this album?
I’m very passionate about House music culture and the way it started. Which was all about positivity and celebrating life together. I love that message and think the soulful, feel-good element of House music is what always really attracted me to the genre. And to music in general, including other genres like Soul and RnB.
4 – Can you share more details about the process of integrating experimental elements into the music production of your album?
A few of the songs (like “Tell Me How” and “I Want You”) were basically made during one big jam session. It’s me just trying out completely different sounds, textures, and rhythms and experimenting with live drums, guitars, and whatever I feel like. Letting go of any rules connected to dance music allows for a really fresh approach to the album songs.
6 – How does the artwork complement the album’s concept?
It emphasizes the feel-good element and the overall message of the album. Life is in front of you, it’s there for the taking. You’re in the hallway, step into the light and embrace life.
7 – Will there be another amazing music video like “Have It All,” dropping in the near future?
We released a really cool art piece and visualizer for the album which I’m very excited about!
8 – Given your ambition to push boundaries within the Dance genre, do you think the bunch of producers already out there could make it tough for you to really stand out?
I think individuality is key. Doing something you’re passionate about. Telling your own story. If you go into that process, the outcome will be unique. Not following trends and doing my own thing is what helps me stand out and allows me to be ahead and I try to keep pushing myself.
9 – Among your studio essentials, what’s the item that you consider the cornerstone of your setup?
Quite a lot of my work is digital. I carry my laptop around and can produce and write anywhere with it, whether it’s my home studio, the studio in Amsterdam, a hotel, or even an airport. That’s what makes it flexible and international! Just being able to work anywhere and get the creative process going. At home I also love my Adam A77x monitors and I also use a Prophet synth.
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In this exclusive interview, Swedish producer Tobtok discusses all the details about his latest single as part of the ongoing countdown to the upcoming ‘My Friends’ EP. This is a collaborative effort with farfetch’d that you definitely shouldn’t overlook.
1 — Congratulations on the release of “My Friends.” Please tell us more about the influences and musical style that shaped this cool track.
Thanks! This tune has taken inspiration from bits and pieces of tracks I’ve been into over the last 10 years, everything from Daft Punk to Fred Again. It contains a lot of micro samples and vocal lines that are in a similar vein as old French House records, but we also wanted to experiment with the current UK rave sound, which we think ended up in a pretty unique and interesting way.
2 — How did you and farfetch’d navigate the creative process together, especially when faced with differing ideas or disagreements?
We were kind of on the same page with most things to be fair. Jerry from farfetch’d is a very creative guy and he loves to bash out new ideas, which worked well for me to develop into full songs. We worked on every track together in my studio and finished them off together. Of course, we had some different ideas about certain things but since none of us had a big ego, we just compromised. I think when you like the same kind of music, you usually think quite alike.
3 — What sets this collaboration apart from your previous singles?
I think this is possibly the strongest single from the EP. It feels catchy and is super simple yet not too boring. It also has Jerry’s voice in it which is unique to any other of our tracks.
4 — Can you share any funny anecdotes about specific moments while crafting “My Friends”?
We have hidden a few wacky voice notes in it as a sort of ambiance. It can be heard in the second verse or whatever you wanna call it. You clearly hear Jerry laughing about something, but I can’t remember what it was.
5 — Is this tune part of an upcoming album or EP?
It’s track no.3 from our ‘My Friends’ EP which has a total of 6 tracks. It was released via Perfect Havoc on 29th September.
6 — What are your emotions when your music receives recognition and praise from other producers in the industry?
It’s always so much fun to get praise from your peers and colleagues. These people live and breathe music and probably hear way more stuff than the average listener, so I guess they tend to be less impressed by music.
7 — Has your signature sound as Tobtok undergone changes over the years?
Haha most definitely. I started out with French House which evolved into Nu-Disco. I later jumped on the Tropical House train (quite early on in my defense). Left that and tried something cooler with my track “ABER,” and from there, it’s been more of a mix between UK and Deep House.
8 — Is there any specific music genre you’re eager to explore?
Old School Disco and Soul. I’m a big fan of the 70s as a whole, that’s why I’ve bought a few vintage Roland pieces in my studio and a Rhodes Piano.
9 — Considering the global nature of music today, are there any international artists you’d love to collaborate with?
I love Jungle right now, for reasons made quite obvious in the previous question. They’ve mastered this cool retro 70’s/Motown sound and yet managed to make it sound fresh somehow. I’d love to just hang out in the studio with them and see what they do.
10 — As we conclude, do you feel that there’s a certain formula that artists can follow to produce chart-topping hits?
Nowadays, it’s all about doing something that stands out from what everyone else is doing and probably also adding a sprinkle of nostalgia and familiarity into something. A good example is the new Peggy Gou record which is a massive hit that takes inspiration from ATB but puts it in a new and interesting context. It doesn’t hurt to have a massive TikTok following either lol.
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You must read this interview with Kouss! He used to rock it as a badass drummer in the Stellar Revival band, but now he’s spilling the beans about how he switched things up and got into making electronic dance music (EDM). The spotlight is now on his latest track, “Can’t Go Back.” Learn more here.
1 — Putting your sound into words, how would you convey the mood and sensations that your music evokes to someone unfamiliar with it?
My music aims to be an uplifting and thoughtful blend of Progressive House and Dance-Pop. Even though the music is very dancefloor-friendly, the songwriting is very Pop-forward. I also love mixing live instrumentation with electronic production to create layered recordings. As a drummer, having live elements mesh with the electronic really brings out a unique texture.
2 — Your transition from Rock music with Stellar Revival to EDM is quite remarkable. Can you tell us more about it?
The transition from Rock to EDM is an exciting and natural creative evolution. I’ve always been passionate about electronic music, so finally being able to fully immerse myself in the genre as a producer and songwriter has been fulfilling. My background as a touring Rock drummer also gives me a unique musical sensibility that I try to incorporate into Kouss Records.
3 — As a drummer, you had to adapt to a different genre. How did you translate your rhythmic background into this new realm?
When approaching any genre, especially Dance music, I’m utilizing my background in percussion to create grooves and drum patterns. The drum parts still come from the same creative place whether I’m sitting behind a drum set or drawing with a MIDI controller. I will say that with EDM I find myself focused more on groove and restraint.
4 — In what ways have Illenium, Zedd, and David Guetta played a role in shaping the sound of your new single “Can’t Go Back”?
Illenium, Zedd, and David Guetta definitely influenced the melodic and atmospheric vibes in “Can’t Go Back.” Their music motivates and challenges me to produce massive soundscapes on the highest level. They’re all melodic magicians, and I continue to be inspired by their work. I also feel like I put my own spin on “Can’t Go Back.” It’s almost like the line between EDM and Pop became blurrier on this track.
5 — What’s the story behind the song title?
“Can’t Go Back” is generally about moving forward and not dwelling on the past. For me personally, it’s about evolving as an artist and person.
6 — Anna Kline’s presence on “Can’t Go Back” adds a unique dynamic. How did this collaboration come about?
I was introduced to Anna soon after starting the Kouss project by “Can’t Go Back” co-producer and dear friend Phil Barnes. The second I heard Anna sing I knew I wanted to work with her. She’s an incredible songwriter and an awesome human. It was an organic collaboration that we’re both stoked about. Definitely be on the lookout for more collaborations with Anna in the future!
7 — How do you aim to connect with listeners on an emotional level through this single?
I aim to connect with listeners on an emotional level through the authenticity and musicality of “Can’t Go Back.” It’s about delivering that special feeling to the listener. We crafted this recording from a place of passion as artists. The lyrics are relatable and cathartic, and Anna’s vocals draw you into this sonic world we created. We also tap into some nostalgia with the Big Room House vibe. But overall the goal was to give listeners an authentic musical experience that resonates with them, regardless of what genre they usually listen to.
8 — For “Can’t Go Back,” did you experiment with a combination of electronic elements and live instruments?
Yes, “Can’t Go Back” mixes electronic production with live drumming and live guitars. The live instruments give the song a dynamic texture and human feel. Not every Kouss song will have live instruments, but it’s definitely a major part of the debut EP coming in 2024.
9 — Looking ahead, how do you envision your music style evolving?
I want to continue bridging the gap between organic and electronic. Creatively, I think there’s a lot of meat on that bone. I also don’t want to limit myself to a single genre or style. I love all types of music and ultimately hope to develop a sound that draws from those diverse influences and experiences.
10 — Lastly, reflecting on your journey so far, what’s been the most memorable or rewarding moment of your music career?
Working with talented musicians and creators who are excited about my music has been humbling and inspiring. I didn’t expect it, but the reaction to “Can’t Go Back” has been both unexpected and validating. It’s so cool to see the song played in clubs, gyms, and cars. I’m truly fortunate to share my passion for music and connect with listeners who share the same passion.