Viv Castle: “Authenticity resonates far more than an algorithm ever could”
British DJ/producer Viv Castle has become a powerful force in the electronic music scene, crafting high-energy tracks that blend House and Techno. His sound has earned him over 1.5 million Spotify streams and releases on labels including Insomniac’s IN/ROTATION, Spinnin’s SPRS, and Diynamic.
Photo credit: Viv Castle – Official
Viv has gained support from industry titans like Benny Benassi, Mark Knight, and Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1, with his music featuring regularly on KISS FM, Toolroom Radio, and Diplo’s Revolution.
Fresh off a collaboration with Champagne Safari on the euphoric ‘Last Dance,’ and with his latest single ‘Come My Way’ featuring vocalist Belle Johnson making waves, Castle continues to push boundaries in the realm of Melodic House & Techno.
In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his creative process, the role of AI in music production, and his vision for the future.
EG: Hi, Viv! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Viv Castle: Thanks for having me. Things are going great. Getting ready for Christmas, which should be time off, but the reality is it gives me time to get into the studio more, much to my husband’s dismay.
EG: So, first of all, congratulations on the release of your latest single, ‘Come My Way’! You must be psyched to have this one out to share with everyone. What are some of your feelings now that ‘Come My Way’ is out? What has the initial reception been like?
Viv Castle: Thank you so much! I’m absolutely thrilled to finally share ‘Come My Way’. This track has been a labor of love. From the moment Belle and I started working together, I just knew it was special, and seeing it resonate with listeners has been such a rewarding experience. It’s always exciting to see something you’ve worked so hard on take on a life of its own out in the world.
EG: What can your fans expect to find on ‘Come My Way’? Is there a concept or emotional trigger driving this one?
Viv Castle: At its core, ‘Come My Way’ is about connection and empowerment. I wanted to create a track that’s not only high-energy and dancefloor-ready but also carries emotional weight. There’s a feeling of liberation and confidence that I hope listeners pick up on—it’s a call to come together and feel unstoppable, whether you’re in a club or just vibing at home.
EG: Now, ‘Come My Way’ sees you linking up with powerhouse vocalist, Belle Johnson. What was that collaborative process like? How did the connection come about?
Viv Castle: First, a big shoutout to Grahame Farmer and his Data Transmission/Artist Blueprint Discord—without him, I would never have linked with Belle. Thanks, G-man! Working with Belle was a dream. Her voice is magnetic, and from the moment I heard her, I knew she was the perfect fit for this track. I sent her a few ideas, and she called me on the phone with a topline—I was blown away. Belle instantly understood the vibe and brought her unique flair to the project. It was one of those seamless collaborations—lots of mutual respect and creative synergy. A few back-and-forths later, and the track just clicked.
“Come My Way is about connection and empowerment”
EG: In your experience, what would you consider paramount for a ‘successful’ collaboration, and when would you say that a collaboration was a ‘success’?
Viv Castle: Listening is key. A successful collaboration happens when both parties have a shared vision and are open to each other’s ideas. It’s about leaving ego at the door and focusing on what serves the track. For me, it’s a success when the end result is something neither of us could have created on our own—a track that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
EG: In many ways, 2024 has been quite a year for you. How do you feel about it? What have been some of your personal highlights?
Viv Castle: It’s been a whirlwind! 2024 has been monumental for me—I’ve released tracks on some of my dream labels, including Insomniac, Spinnin’, DIYNAMIC, and Altra Moda, and surpassed 1.2 million streams on Spotify. Another highlight has been expanding my performances nationwide; playing at venues like Sound-Bar in Chicago and Temple in Denver was surreal. Sharing stages with some of the best in the industry has been humbling and inspiring. And I can’t forget the incredible support I’ve received, including more support from Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1—these are moments you never forget.
EG: Now, onto a hot topic… Having seen so many changes to our scene, how do you feel about the rise of AI implementation in music? What’s your relationship with that like? Have you used AI in recent releases?
Viv Castle: AI is definitely reshaping the landscape, and I think it’s a double-edged sword. It can be an amazing tool for enhancing creativity, whether that’s through AI-assisted sound design or streamlining workflows. I’ve dabbled with it for reshaping vocals and helping with lyrics, but I believe it should complement human creativity rather than replace it. At the end of the day, music is about emotion and ideas, and that’s something AI can’t replicate.
EG: And how do you feel about the current state of the scene? Is social media too closely related to one’s ascension in this industry? Are we caring about the wrong things?
Viv Castle: Social media… the thing most artists just don’t want to do. But the reality is, that social media is part of the job description now. It’s a powerful platform to connect with fans and showcase your work, but the pressure to constantly produce content can detract from the creative process. I think the focus should always be on the music—authenticity resonates far more than an algorithm ever could.
“Music is about emotion and ideas, and that’s something AI can’t replicate”
EG: Finally, what can we expect from Viv Castle in the next few months? Where can your fans catch you next?
Viv Castle: I’ve got one more release this year—a collab with Champagne Safari, coming out on Dark City Music. I also have a mix going live on SiriusXM Radio, plus a list of releases taking me deep into 2025. Fans can catch me next at Sound-Bar in Chicago on December 13th, and I’ll be sharing more dates on my socials soon. Stay tuned—there’s a lot more to come!
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Viv! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Viv Castle: Thanks again for having me. I’ve really enjoyed our chat. Now back to the studio to finish some IDs for Chicago next week
Viv Castle ‘Come My Way’ is now available on Altra Moda. Stream and download here. Pre-order ‘Last Dance’ here.
Follow Viv Castle: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
