16/05/2025
Following recent releases with Toolroom and Insomniac’s In / Rotation, HASKELL continues to find his footing in the grittier corners of house music.
His new single on Nervous, Deeper, strips things back to the essentials: a thick-set groove, razor-sharp percussion, and a hypnotic vocal loop that nods toward classic Nervous output without feeling nostalgic.
Where previous tracks leaned into bold melodies and heavier builds, Deeper stays low-slung and locked in, driven by bass pressure and the kind of negative space that pulls a room inward. It’s a cut built for small hours and darker floors — chunky, functional, and deliberately unflashy.
Over the past year, HASKELL has carved out a steady presence with a run of clean, groove-focused releases and gigs that stretch from London to Ibiza. His progression as a producer mirrors his path as a DJ: crisp foundations, unfussy textures, and an ear for tension over release. Deeper finds him digging into that sound with more confidence than ever.
Q: Please introduce yourself
I'm HASKELL and I'm a producer and DJ.
Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?
If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be The Rock. I admire his multi-dimensional career—he's been a wrestler, an actor, a performer, and a brand builder. He's mastered so many areas while maintaining his health and discipline. I'd love to pick his brain about how he balances it all and what drives his success.
Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
Invisibility. I'd love to just have free reign to do what I wanted, go into government buildings, see how things work, walk around, and find out all the secrets.
Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?
I'd love to have done an Indiana Jones movie. I think it would have been wicked. I'm a big fan of the whole franchise, so that would be really cool.
Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?
Mark Knight from Toolroom has made a massive difference to my career. My tastes have changed a lot over the years, but he's definitely had the most impact.
Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?
My journey is an interesting one. I was a professional sportsman and very dedicated to my career. About 11 years ago, I decided that I wanted to DJ, and I found it to be the perfect replacement for playing rugby. It gave me the excitement, adrenaline, and performance buzz I was looking for. I started making music about four or five years ago, and my sound has evolved significantly. Now, I'm really comfortable with the music I'm releasing, putting out cool tracks on various labels, and I'm excited about the future.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out their career in music?
Worry about what you can control. Take inspiration from others, but keep knuckling down, practicing relentlessly, making music, putting it out, sending it to people, hustling, and practicing your DJing and performance. Just go for it – don’t overthink it.
Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?
One of my most memorable DJ sets was at Sarah Varmatt's Bazzali, where I did a four-hour set with Carly Wilford. We had about 300 people dancing, totally immersed in the moment. There were tracks where I almost broke down in tears because of the intensity, the adrenaline, and just the vibe. It wasn't necessarily a music crowd, but we took them on a journey, and they didn't want to stop partying – they even kept the place open longer.
Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?
My music style has changed a lot because I've gone back to my roots – the stuff I really enjoyed like garage and those skippy drums. I’ve also been gravitating towards deeper house vibes, which feels more in line with what I want to create now.
Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?
I'd probably go for classical music, oddly enough. I find it fascinating – there’s incredible art, mystery, and storytelling in that genre.
Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?
"Rhythm of the Dancer," "Women of the Ghetto," and "Boneless" by Chris Lake and Steve Aoki. "Rhythm of the Dancer" and "Women of the Ghetto" both struck a chord with me early on, and "Boneless" was significant when I first got into EDM.
Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?
Kensington Roof Gardens. I used to go there when I was younger, and it’s an amazing spot in the heart of London. It's now a high-end members club, but the outdoor space just begs for a proper day rave.
Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?
I've had releases every month since January on various labels like The Nix and Alianza. My next release, "Deeper," is coming out on Nervous – it’s my biggest release to date on a fantastic label, and I couldn't be more excited. It's a high-energy track that I can't wait for people to hear.
Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?
I have a license to drive a digger on any building site in the UK, and I won Celebrity Mastermind with Harry Potter as my specialist subject.
Haskell - Depper [Nervous Records]