We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Castle Warren. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Castle below.

Castle, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I began learning to produce music at approximately the age of sixteen. Having grown a strong fondness for deejaying, my passion for creating music was honed by the sound of the late age of SoundCloud culture. I have been educated by the internet and its inhabitants, by watching countless, back-to-back, YouTube tutorials, and scanning Reddit posts, Discord servers, asking as many questions as I could in every comment section I could find. In the current state of the internet, it’s simply inconceivable to ignore the endless possibilities to further one’s own education, assuming you can manage to scroll past the pointless drivel, with it being, one of the biggest hurdles in learning from strangers. Time management as well can prove to be quite an obstacle in the way of learning, but it is extremely crucial to the overall operation.

Castle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For those not privy, my name is Castle. I am a producer and artist in Houston, Tx. I originally began playing music around the age of seven, when I was introduced to the electric guitar. From the earliest of ages, I can remember always having an affection for music. Whether it be the early 2000’s sound of “The Smashing Pumpkins” or “Nirvana” coming from my mother’s car stereo or the “Soulja Boy” I’d listen to with my cousin. As well as electric guitar, I played the trombone in junior high and high school. I started producing music after learning to DJ and my friend “iFrankiee” would rap as I mixed his songs. I really have always preferred to facilitate projects. I like to consider myself a jack of all trades, musically speaking. Over the years I have grown a great efficiency for mixing, mastering, production, scoring, engineering, and occasional foley work. My main goal when working with a client is to see their vision and create the idea they want, because my job is to satisfy the customer. Diversity, I think, is one of my strongest attributes. Being able to procure a vision no matter what genre or sound I’m looking for. My most recent project is “PULP”, a nine-track ambient house album consisting of smooth 8-bit video game water levels, and the mellow sounds of percussion.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I consider the most rewarding aspect of being a creative to be the sharing of art. While I believe creating for other people is one-dimensional and egotistical, there is something to be said for getting feedback on your ideas and art. When I’m creating a project, I’m not thinking of the opinions of others, I’m thinking of the end product, the child to be birthed by my pen (so to speak). My creation being finished, on my own terms, is single-handily the greatest feeling I can receive.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

We as a society need to accept people more. We gatekeep things that don’t matter just for some sort of sense of power, based on completely arbitrary ideologies. We are so critical of everyone but ourselves. I, as an artist, have to face constant derision and ridicule for simply releasing my vision. It’s all ascribed to statements such as “no one owes you anything” and the idea that you must be open to the face of scorn and hatred is based on the principle that the “anything” no one owes you, is, in fact, basic human kindness. It’s so socially acceptable to belittle people you’ve never met based solely on the idea of you not being fond of their art. I think, we, as a society, need to be more acceptable and welcoming, with open arms, to those who create. We should support our own kind and uplift those who put their heart and soul into a project.

Contact Info:

• Website: soundcloud.com/prdbycstl
• Instagram: instagram.com/prodbycastle
• Twitter: twitter.com/prodbycastle
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMP51qE4GHPcD7UG5OI-kRw
• Other: prodbycastle.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Hunter Jones.