South African Soul, London Energy: The Dual World of Nick Castle

For Labyrinth curator and, DJ and producer Nick Castle, music has always been about connection, to place, to emotion, and to the people on the dance floor. His latest release, White River, is a reflection of all three: a deeply personal record rooted in his time spent in South Africa, yet shaped for the melodic, club-driven pulse of London.

“I actually made the track first and then thought of the name,” Nick explains. “I always associate music with places I’ve heard it at, or the place the music reminds me of, all of my artworks represent a place that I connect the track to. When I finished 'White River,' it reminded me of this place, which is where the name comes from.”

That instinctive connection between sound and geography defines much of Nick's artistic identity. His sets and productions are full of Afro-inspired warmth and texture, filtered through the refined lens of London’s underground scene. “I wanted this track to feel emotional through the richness of the vocal,” he says, “but then also have an electronic feel that would hit in a club. The faster vocal on the drop and the change in bassline really allowed the track to move from one feeling to the other.”

Nick Castle first debuted "White River" before none other than Solomun at Labyrinth on the Thames this summer, a pivotal moment in front of 10,000 people that marked the culmination of years of independent graft. “I was really, really nervous to play the track out,” he admits. “I’d spent a lot of time refining the master, so I was unsure how it would sound on a festival PA. The track starts relatively chilled, then builds emotionally and really picks up after the breakdown, so I wasn’t sure how it would feel on a big stage.”

But the moment proved magic. “It ended up being super special, the track is made to be played in a setting like that, and once I played it and the nerves left me, it was a really rewarding feeling,” he recalls. “This wasn’t planned, but Solomun arrived on stage just as the track dropped, which was uncanny. It was the first time I met him too.”

That headline moment is also part of a wider story: the rise of Labyrinth, the independent brand Nick has built from the ground up since 2017. What started as a Thursday-night residency at Notting Hill Arts Club has grown into a multi-faceted platform for music, events, and culture hosting stages, open-air festivals, and club nights that have become integral to London’s scene.

“Ten years ago, nobody was going to book me to DJ, so I did it myself,” Nick laughs. “The vision was never anything more than to pour my all into something I loved and that gave me huge satisfaction. Ten years later, I’m incredibly grateful for what Labyrinth has become and we’re still doing it for the love of it.”

That DIY ethos has carried through to his label, Labyrinth Records, which continues to push forward with both breakthrough releases and cross-cultural experimentation. Recent highlights include UNIT 16 and Nick's remix of boys be kko’s Pico, a record that has now surpassed 330,000 streams, featured across playlists like Brain Food, Keinemusik – The Party Is Over, New Music Dance Friday, and Apple Music New in Dance.

“Never in a million years did I think the track would get that kind of pickup,” he admits. ““I was just happy to know people were listening to the music, in all honesty.”

As a DJ, Nick Castle has shared stages with some of the world’s most revered selectors, from Solomun and Keinemusik to Fred again.., Laurent Garnier, Adriatique and Jungle. But much of his growth has come from the early slots, the slow burns before the main event.

“Over the years, I’ve generally been opening for these artists,” he says. “Playing the early slot as the floor fills up before a headliner comes on at peak hours is something I take great pride in. Building a set and vibe is an art and you shouldn’t start playing 124 BPM to a room of five people. It really bugs me when openers don’t respect that. As a result, I think I’m drawn to music that builds to a moment and doesn’t give you everything all at once.”

After a landmark summer that saw Labyrinth host one of 2025’s standout independent events, Nick and his team are already looking ahead. “Timing, hard work, resilience, and a great team, that’s what it took to pull off something like Labyrinth on the Thames,” he reflects. “It was an incredible feeling for us all to deliver those shows. It’s a stark reminder to always push the boundaries and keep things fresh.”

And while many in his position might be tempted to map out a grand five-year plan, Nick remains guided by instinct. “Our only plans are to continue putting our time into projects that excite us,” he says. “If we do that, we’ll get to our north star. We’ve never been ones to plan years ahead if we’re excited and deliver week in, week out, life will guide us there eventually.”

With "White River," Nick Castle reaffirms his place as one of the most exciting independent artists bridging the emotional and the electronic, proof that true connection, both to place and to people, still drives the most powerful dance music today.

Read the full interview at The Night Bazaar HERE.