Kastle is currently on tour in Australia thanks to the super cool folk over at Archery Club. We had a chance to sit down with him and have a chat about his label, his vibe, his future and food. Peep the interview below and check him out at the remaining stops of his tour. Details below.
We’ve been super interested in the Symbols Recordings outfit you’ve started. What inspired you to launch your own label?
It was a long time coming. Over a year ago I was wanting to start a label and it never really came to fruition. I couldn’t settle on a name or the branding in general. When I did the tour with Twelfth Planet that’s where all the conceptualization came. I was kind of having a hard time placing my sound with other labels. They were interested but wouldn’t really get where I wanted to go with it. That’s when I decided to do it myself. Shortly after the tour I came up with the name and already had artists and friends who understood where I wanted to go. We’ve kind of created our own world.
I agree. Symbols really has its own direction. How heavily are you involved in the creative process for Symbols, with stuff like art direction and design?
My girlfriend is actually the art director. She’s currently on the tour with me. Her name is Joyce Su and she’s in charge of everything in regards to art. She has a process where every three releases so far have been a particular theme. It was very important to have a very distinct aesthetic. Kind of the same as we do on the music end. It’s very much a strong collaboration between the audio and visual.
A lot of artists that are releasing through Symbols seem to be super new names. How are you sourcing them?
I never really set out to be a label that breaks new artists but it’s just how it came to be. When I launched the label I received so many demos and it was quite overwhelming. A lot of the artists first releases are essentially debuts. They hit me up or I found them and they just blew me away. I have another debut EP coming up in January from an artist names Lion Gonzales.
Outside of the Symbols roster, who do you think is killing it at the moment?
Based on stuff that I’ve been playing on tour that’s been doing really good is things from Karma Kid, Cashmere Cat and there is a pretty new artist in New York named Sweater Beatz. Another NY based artist who also lives in Ohio is Jaw Jam. He does super distinct sounds. It really is one of a kind. I’ve also got an R&B vocalist who’s working on an EP coming out in February called Xavier. As far as producers though, Ta-Ku is great. Everything he sends me I play a whole lot.
You just finished a huge US tour. How did that go?
It was fantastic. It was about 20 dates. Every show was really good and it was really reaffirming to me because in the states sometimes it’s a bit hit or miss. My sound has never been the most popular but every single show was really good and I was really well received in every city. I feel like people are really coming around to that sound.
Any stand out moments?
It’s always hard, but I keep saying the best show was in Clevelend Ohio. But I actually grew up in that area so there was a lot of old friends and all that.
We’ve always thought America had a very commercialized view on dance music. How do you feel about that?
It depends on where you’re looking. In America we have the huge commercial festivals like EDC and Miami Music Conference. But at the same time, in every city there is a few promotors or clubs who are really trying to push different music. They have dedicated nights for forward thinking music. America is such a huge place and there are so many clubs so at a glance it’s easy to say it is commercial, but theres enough diversity. I’m pretty hopeful about it all especially based on the last tour. I feel like right now is the very best time for my sound so I’m quite happy.
I agree, I think XXYYXX is a good example of how someone can really be nurtured to fame in America regardless of their sound.
Yes! He blew up very quick. His album was great but I think a lot of it is the fact he’s so young. He’s capturing such a young market and they can really identify with him. Things like YouTube and Soundcloud attracts so many people. They love stuff they can share on their Tumblr and all that.
Definitely. Tumblr can really nurture artists in the modern day. That whole Tumblr culture is huge isn’t it?
For sure. His ‘About U’ video really took with that. Not a lot of people know, but the director of that video also did a video for Symbols. He did the Sleepyhead ‘Rainbow Swords’ video. He’s very qood.
So you’re in Australia at the moment. How have the shows been so far and what do you think of the crowds?
First stop was in Wellington, NZ. The crowds have been great. Everyone was really into it. It was a very lively crowd. Fantastic.
What are you doing in your spare time while you’re here?
Definitely doing some tourist stuff. We went to Bondi Beach yesterday and did the whole tourist walk. We’re going to do some kayaking too. We’re definitely not wasting any time.
Are you enjoying the food?
Yeh. Everything seems to be kind of fusion, which is fine. Had some really good salmon. Amazing. What I will say is the coffee is not as strong as San Francisco. Not at all.
Are you going to eat vegemite?
I’ve had it before. It’s not for me. Not at all (laughs).
Few quick options to round things our. Do you prefer the city or the beach?
Studio. I like relaxing sometimes but I’m definitely a workaholic. My studio is pretty simple. I have one piece of analog gear. It’s a Roland Juno 1. I use various soft synths. A lot of Rob Papen stuff.
Nightclub or house party?
Nightclub with a good sound system.
Great chatting with you man!
Alright cheers. Thanks a lot!
Here’s the remaining stops on the Kastle tour. Be there!
Perth – December 7th, Geisha Bar
Melbourne – December 8th, Revolver Upstairs
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