Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to James Hickok. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi James, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

All the tools to become a talented artist are out there in 2025 for little to no money. It’s really up to you to put in the work and get good at your craft. I think people sometimes romanticize the learning process too much. Don’t get me wrong—following your passion is important—but at the end of the day, it’s about putting in the reps and getting comfortable with your creative process.

If I could go back, I’d focus on finishing songs consistently, even if they weren’t up to my standards. The key is to complete a track, export it as an .mp3, and move on to the next one as soon as possible. Learning to finish a song is a skill in itself, and it was my biggest struggle for a long time. But I forced myself to complete unfinished ideas, and over time, I became much more comfortable with the entire creative process—coming up with an idea, fleshing it out, and actually seeing it through to the end.

Also—references, references, references! Figure out why your favorite songs sound the way they do and compare them to your own. Does your mix sound too harsh? Too quiet? Not wide enough? Compare and adjust accordingly. The same goes for structure—knowing when to bring elements in and out is what keeps a track interesting, especially in EDM. A simple melody can go a long way if you know how to tell a story with it, even if that story is just intro → breakdown → build-up → drop → rinse and repeat.

James, 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?

I’m Your Lucky Day, a bass house producer and DJ. Over the past year, I’ve launched my artist project, gained 50k+ SoundCloud streams, and had my music played at iconic venues like Avant Gardner and E11EVEN MIAMI.

I started making music 12 years ago with a *totally legal* copy of FL Studio, producing hip-hop beats inspired by A$AP Rocky, DJ Carnage, and G-Eazy. I loved how they flipped vocal samples into catchy instrumentals while also making hard-hitting trap records. For years, I experimented without truly learning the fundamentals. Over time, I learned more about production and transitioned to Ableton, but I still struggled to finish tracks.

That changed when I discovered Knock2—his playful, hip-hop-infused bass house sound inspired me to take my music seriously. Around the same time, I re-read Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, quit social media for a month, and used the extra time to refine my sound and identity. I also joined Henry Fong’s DJ mentorship program, which helped me get my music to an industry standard and release tracks more efficiently.

Henry taught me a key lesson: find the intersection between what I love making and what excites listeners. I leaned into remixing trending pop hits (Espresso, Nasty) and trap anthems (Love Sosa, Hard in the Paint), allowing me to gain traction by reimagining songs people already knew. After a year of remixes, I dropped my first original single and music video (“break it down!”), which performed surprisingly well and marked a shift toward releasing more original work.

Now, I’m focused on building a cohesive brand as both a DJ and creator. I take inspiration from artists like Pharrell, Knock2, A$AP Rocky, and G-Eazy—people with distinct sounds and visuals. My music blends hip-hop elements (scratching, tape stops, vocal samples from myself, friends, and movies) with simple, catchy bass house and tech house melodies. Visually, I lean into playful, cartoonish imagery—smiley faces, lucky symbols, and Vegas aesthetics.I ’m also refining my wardrobe to reflect a more intentional, hip-hop-influenced style, inspired by the artists I mentioned. Additionally, I’m planning more photoshoots to strengthen my visual identity. With a growing catalog, my next step is making Your Lucky Day instantly recognizable, both in sound and style.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Talking to other artists! Find people at your level, or slightly above yours, and talk to them about all your struggles with making art. People are so happy to explain and help you.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Digital Minimalism – How to use technology and not have it use you.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – A novel that explores the importance of thinking with both your left-brain (logic, technicality) and with your right-brain (emotional, symbolic)
Charisma Myth – Helping to figure out which style of communication suits you, and how be okay with being nervous.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/yourluckydaynyc
• Instagram: @yourluckydaynyc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourluckydaynyc
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/your-lucky-day-nyc