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

William, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My parents did the best they could with what they had, and that is something I’ll always admire. Education was their top priority. They worked hard to make sure my sister and I attended the best schools, and that foundation has shaped so much of who I am today.

Music was also a constant presence in our home. One of my earliest memories is the day Selena passed away. I remember how heartbroken my mom and her friends were—women who had never met her, but felt deeply connected through her music. It showed me how powerful that connection could be.

I remember Saturday mornings were pure magic: the sounds of Salsa, Bachata, and Cumbia filled the house from the kitchen radio. If we woke up to Latin percussion on the speaker and the smell of pancakes, we knew it was going to be a good day.

My parents made a real effort to introduce us to music in every form.
They drove us to the record stores, encouraged my sister and I to try different instruments, and always supported whatever creative interest we had. They wanted us to be well-rounded, and for that I’m incredibly thankful.

The music I play today—especially the Latin rhythms and classics from the 80s and 90s—is a direct reflection of how I was raised. My parents raised listeners, learners, and lovers of culture from all over the world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Will Castro, but in the booth, I go by Willie Beamin. I was born and raised in Yonkers, NY, and now call Brooklyn home. Like a lot of newer DJs, I dove deep into it during the pandemic. But if we’re being real, my DJ journey started long before lockdown—back when I was spinning tracks at house parties using a two-channel mixer hooked up to iPods. My parents’ house was the party spot, and I was always curating the vibe.

Once I was old enough to get into clubs, I started raving at Pacha NYC almost every weekend. I still remember the first time my cousin Raul took me to a festival—EDC NYC in 2014. That experience changed everything. I found myself completely entranced by the pounding kick drums and hypnotic rhythms at the neonGARDEN stage, hosted by none other than Carl Cox. That’s when I fell head over heels for house music. From that moment on, I was obsessed—digging through deep cuts, downloading everything I could find, and chasing that next unforgettable set.

In the years that followed, I founded Big Apple Wooks—what started as a group of friends and a festival group camp quickly grew into a multi-city network of ravers. We’re all about support, community, and showing up for each other. The dance floor is never empty when we’re around.

Most recently, I teamed up with my best friends and roommates, CRSPY and Thiccboi Drewski, to build CLUBhouse—our basement studio in Bushwick. It’s more than just a space to record. It’s a platform. At CLUBhouse, we give local DJs a chance to showcase their true sound—free from the pressures of club promoters or mainstream expectations. We film the sets in 4K and share them on our YouTube channel, giving underground talent the spotlight they deserve.

This scene gave me everything, and now I’m all about giving back—through music, through community, and through creating safe spaces where everyone can be heard.

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met my co founder CRSPY, in the most natural way. At a rave in line for the bathroom. We had seen each other at all the same shows for months before this moment. but it was there where I said to him “Hey, I see you everywhere! We should probably be friends.” It was our shared love for dirtybird house music that brought us together!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience, especially in the beginning, can feel incredibly difficult and honestly, pretty disheartening at times. It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers: the likes, the views, the follows. But if there’s one piece of advice I’d give, it’s this—don’t let those metrics define your value. Focus instead on consistently creating content that feels true to you and reflects what you’re passionate about.

There are definitely moments when social media starts to feel more like a job than a creative outlet. It can even feel a little dehumanizing. That’s why I’ve learned to separate my personal life from what I share online. I only post what I’m comfortable sharing, and that boundary helps keep me sane.

I’ve built my audience mostly through real-life connections. I go out, meet people, have conversations—and those relationships carry over into the digital space. That human connection is so important, and honestly, it’s the most fulfilling part of all of this. For the people I haven’t met in person, I think they follow me because they connect with the energy I put out, or maybe just think what I’m doing is cool—and that’s enough for me.

At the end of the day, authenticity goes a long way. Stay consistent, stay genuine, and trust that your people will find you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/clubhousebkny/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willie__beamin/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CLUBhouseBKNY
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/bigapplewooks/

Image Credits

Shawn Cooper (@SHVWNFVCKINGCOOPER)
Parsa (@GrainyStory)
Moya (@media_by_moya)