Ep. #002: Featuring Hycastle

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Hey there! Welcome to Guildie, where you get actionable advice from first-rate DJs fueling the GTA’s flourishing electronic dance music scene. (This newsletter is sent out every Wednesday).

For our second episode of the newsletter, we’re shining the spotlight on Hycastle and their transition from the COVID era to present-day center stage as a show-stopping DJ. If you needed some extra encouragement to push through those pesky creative boundaries, this episode is a must-read.

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What to Expect 

• Practicing Through a Pandemic

• On the Topic of Self Discovery

• The Barrier of Perfectionism

• Taking Advantage of Unexpected Moments

• A Call to Collectives

Note: Guildie is still in its early stages of development. If any changes or additions could be implemented to improve your reading experience, please message me at [email protected]. I’ll be working to refine the newsletter each week! :)

–Merchant (@ohmymerchant)

Introducing Hycastle

Name: Hycastle (they/them)
Place of Origin: Toronto, Ontario
Genres: Techno (Hard, Industrial, Latin) // UK Bass // Electro/Breaks
Affiliations: Konduktor // Queer Flow Jam
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Socials: Instagram // SoundCloud
Bookings: [email protected]

Overview

“Nick Hycastle is a non-binary DJ, producer, and visual artist based in Toronto, ON. Known for their seamless flow and expressive style, Nick’s sets are all about delivering non-stop grooves that keep both body and mind in motion. Whether they're spinning groovy breakbeats, high-energy electro, or hard-hitting techno, Nick's wide-ranging love for music always shines through, creating uplifting vibes that resonate on and off the dance floor.”

Q&A

Q: When did you begin your journey as a DJ? Why did you decide to start?

A: “I began DJing at home a couple of months before the start of the COVID pandemic, and continued to practice at home for over 3 years before I began to perform publicly.

I started DJing because I've always been someone who loved sharing music with others, especially sounds people might not have heard before. Being a DJ just made sense to me.”

Q: How do you go about building a set that keeps the crowd engaged? Does this differ depending on the type of gig?

A: “I go about building sets by picking out tracks that I feel would suit the vibe I want to bring to the event while keeping the overall theme of the event in mind. I then spend time spinning those tracks at home to make sure I can find a good flow with them. Preparing a set shouldn't be complicated if your library is well organized, so make sure to regularly spend time doing that!”

Q: How do you manage to stay current with music trends and discover new tracks?

A: “Spotify and SoundCloud. I will dig endlessly through playlists to find hidden gems and use Spotify's recommended tracks feature on custom playlists to discover new tracks similar to what I've collected. The song radio feature from either is also great for discovering similar tracks.”

Q: What were the most significant challenges you faced early in your career? How did you overcome them?

A: “When I started playing publicly, I had no idea how to present myself, and I was also far too obsessive over creating "perfect" sets. I also was burning myself out trying to network and get out to raves and parties all the time.

Now, I take a far more relaxed and fun-oriented approach, and I find my sets sound better. I'm enjoying myself without focusing on being "perfect", and I go out when I can—not because I feel I should.”

Q: What strategies have you found effective for building a personal brand as a DJ and establishing a fan base?

A: “Be yourself. Be as true to yourself as possible. If you don't know yourself well enough, then pursue self-discovery. The more you understand yourself, the better you will be able to connect with others.

Don't be afraid to share. Sharing what you love and being authentic are easily the best ways to build strong connections and dedicated fans.”

Q: Can you share a memorable gig experience where something unexpected happened? How did you handle it?

A: “Some of my most memorable unexpected moments are when I've played for much longer than anticipated. This is why I always come prepared with a ton of tracks. A rule of thumb for me is to have 60 tracks in my playlist for every hour I expect to be playing. Not only does this allow you enough breathing room to play around, but you'll have enough tracks prepared in case you have to go overtime.”

Q: What do you love most about the current scene? Is there anything you hope to see improve over the next few years?

A: “The local scene in Toronto has been invigorating for me. There's a wide variety of collectives, a lot of open deck opportunities, and increasing support for new DJs. I would always love to see more collaborative efforts between collectives though, as well as the city providing more support for independent music venues. I've seen too many of my favourite venues shut down over the years.”

Q: What role has mentorship played in your journey as a DJ? How can new DJs find mentors or guidance in the industry?

A: “I haven't had anyone mentor me really, but I love Club Ready DJ School and the content they put out. It's been super helpful in learning how to DJ; however, if you're a Toronto-based DJ, Estrelar Sound offers mentorship from some wicked DJs including 999adj, grrlcrrsh, and Coach Rich! Check them out :)”

Insights

Always Keep Your Music Library Organized. Like Hycastle, you’ll have no issues crafting compelling sets if you learn to keep this rule of thumb in mind. Maintaining an organized music library allows for easy song selection, track pairing, and strong visualizations of how your sets could play out in real-time.

Take a “Fun-Oriented” Approach to DJing. If you’re not enjoying the ‘art’ of DJing then what’s the point in doing it? Don’t burn yourself out by taking things too seriously, and make sure to stay within your means both monetarily and energy-wise when playing and networking.

Authenticity Leads to Stronger Connections. In a content-driven age, ‘being yourself’ can be somewhat tough. There’s always pressure to do what’ll get likes and drive social traction, but just remember: authenticity will lead to stronger connections, and stronger connections will lead to more impactful opportunities.

“60 Tracks For Every Hour.” While there are few ‘hard rules’ to follow, a lot of DJs come up with their own to make many aspects of their DJing process easier. For Hycastle, they pride themself in preparation. Having a surplus of tracks in your arsenal means that unexpected moments could make for some of your best.

Consider Hiring a Coach to Learn. If it’s too daunting to start your DJ journey alone, we totally get it. Thankfully, there are options in the GTA for learning the ropes, like Estrelar Sound, with knowledgeable individuals ready to guide you. Scheduling organized learning sessions can be a great way to expedite your path to performing, given that you have some extra cash to spend.

Mixes & Productions

NH27. deconstruction #6  // 52 minutes of deep, hypnotic blends and rhythmic layers, perfect for getting lost in the music.

Supermarket Series | Hycastle // “This mix for Techno Dates showcases a relentless selection of industrial techno and is the perfect listen for when you need to stomp out some negativity in your life.”

NH22. deconstruction #5 // UK Bass, Techno, and Deconstructed Club, oh my! A fusion of heavy basslines and pulsating beats to keep you moving for a whole hour.

NH17. flow #2 // Enter your flow state with some silky smooth tunes to fuel your next big task.

Recommendations

Recently Played

KVLR - Get The F Up // Released May 31st, 2023.
TEKNAMBUL - GET U FREAK ON (INSANE TEKNOLOGY OFFICIAL RMX) // Released October 29th, 2019.
San Regret - Wasabi Subnote // Released December 1st, 2022.
CRRDR - Tikiti // Released October 14th, 2022.
Doctor Jeep - Machine Learning // Released November 24th, 2023.
Ron Mercy - Vibrate // Released May 3rd, 2024.

Favourite Artists

West Code // For funky, hard-hitting groove Techno.
Ned Bennett // For percussion-heavy Hard Groove.
JUICY SELEKTA // For bouncy beats with liquid stylings.
Nikki Nair // For raw, multi-genre productions.

Top Organizations

angels gun club // For fashion-forward music and mind-boggling visuals.
96NOISIΛ // For blood-pumping, industrial beats.

Learning Materials

3 Easy Tips to Organize Your Music Library // Video by Chris M.
10 Ways to Plan a DJ Set // Video by Crossfader.
DJing Post-Covid // Blog, Video by Club Ready DJ School.
On Stage Presence // Discussion on r/DJs (Reddit).
Packing a Proper DJ Set // Blog by Digital DJ Tips.

Hycastle continues to assume a front-running position in their local DJing communities. Catch them playing at FATAL: III at Sound Machine on August 31st! From what we hear, they’re crafting a set that you just can’t miss. 👀

That’s it for the second episode of Guildie! A huge ‘thank you’ to those already showing support for the publication. As a reminder, if any improvements could be made to the newsletter, let me know about them at [email protected]. I greatly value your time and readership.