Haskell’s decade-long journey in electronic music has seen him rise as a global tech-house force, known for his rhythmic propulsion and groove-driven sound. With high-energy performances across iconic venues from Ibiza to Dubai and supporting legends like Carl Cox, his DJ sets strike a perfect balance between deep cuts and crowd-pleasers. As a producer, he’s carved out a niche with bass-heavy, percussive tracks released on respected labels such as Toolroom, In Rotation, and D4Dance, earning support from BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM. Looking ahead, 2024 marks a new chapter with exciting collaborations alongside Mark Knight and Gene Farris, signaling a shift toward bolder, experimental sounds that will shape his music in 2025 and beyond. Haskell’s trajectory is defined by his evolution as both a dynamic DJ and a producer who expertly blends intricate sound design with club-ready energy.

Today Haskell joins 6AM to go over his decade long journey through the industry. Covering his signature sound, collaborarions, and what the next 10 years looks like to him.

Hi Haskell! Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to 6AM. To kick things off, for those who may not know, you’ve been in the scene for a decade, but you were also a student at the Toolroom Academy—and now you’ve released on their iconic main label. Since graduating from the academy, how have you refined your style? Did your sound evolve significantly before and after that experience? Were there any specific influences or moments during your time at the Toolroom Academy that helped shape the sound you’re known for today?

I think there's loads of influences on my career and having gone through the Academy, it kind of teaches you to zero in on your sound choice, what you want to be known as, what kind of vibe inspires you to stay in your lane and be the best at what you do without spreading yourself all over the place.

A lot of my stuff I realised was inspired by Garage. What I thought I wanted to make, I kind of realised I was gravitating towards stuff that was slightly more aggressive, bigger kicks, basslines with movement, rhythmic synths and skippy percussion that had a real groove to it and a real swing, which is something that I liked and it's taken me a long, long time and maybe five of the Toolroom courses to kind of get that identity and I'm still working on it now.

 

Speaking of your release on Toolroom, 'Go Deep,' it was a collaboration with two absolute legends, Mark Knight and Gene Farris. How did this partnership come about, and did working with these icons of house music influence your creative process in any way?

You know, it's not every day you get an opportunity to work with Mark Knight and Gene Farris. Both guys have been an inspiration for me, people that I looked up to for a long period of time. Mark, you know, ithe’s's become one of my best mates. I came to him with an idea and he kind of points me in the right direction. 

We went away and shaped it. I sat down with James Hurr and we created this track. Mark came in and did his best A&R that put his touch on it, directed it and took some bits out of it. Gene added his vocal and that kind of real touch to it. If you told me 10 years ago that I was going to be doing a collaboration with these two I would have laughed in your face.

Even before the Toolroom release, your music was getting support by heavyweights like BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM. Does having that kind of recognition impact how you approach your next production? How do you balance creating for both yourself and such a wide audience? What do you think it is about your music that resonates so strongly with audiences and djs?

It's the eternal question, how do you get the balance right? I think the issue for me is to be taken seriously in this industry and to be taken seriously as an artist.

Hence I've kind of done a rebrand under Haskell, which is starting this year. That's kind of predominantly what I'm going to be doing and releasing under. It's the way I want to be taken seriously and all the focus will go on to that. And I think for me, you've got to make music that you like, that you want to play. But unfortunately, we live in a world where all that matters at the moment is streaming and profile. So it's a fine balancing act. 

And the idea is a crossover, which retains your coolness, whatever that is, but also allows you to get the streams and play the events and gigs that you want to play. And that's ultimately what I'm making music for.

 

You’ve played alongside industry titans like Carl Cox and performed in premier locations like Ibiza and Dubai. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve taken away from these impressive feats?

Carl Cox has been another inspiring person that's looked after me and put his arm around me. And at times, I think the valuable lessons I've learned, again, is you're always playing to the crowd. 

You can never turn up with preconceived ideas. You've got to see what the lineup is. You've got to see where your time slot is. You have to understand that you're a selector, first and foremost, not just there to play music that you want to play. You've got to play what the crowd wants. And you've got to adapt yourself to each venue on each occasion. 

What’s been the most unexpected or challenging part of this journey, and how have you grown from it?

I think the most challenging part of the journey is being taken seriously, as I said, and getting the opportunities and playing the music that you are making to people that want to hear it.

 

After 10 years in the electronic music scene, and obviously someone who has great momentum right now, what advice would you have to give to aspiring producers/djs? What would you say to yourself 10 years ago that you wish someone would have told you then?

The advice I would give to anyone trying to pursue anything is looking at what you are, what you can control, how you can get better at your craft, what you can focus on. Really bear in mind so much is out of your hands and focus on what is. Practice your craft as a DJ, you know you build your brand as a social media person, make music you truly believe in and love. Those are the things that make people a successful artist.

 

Thanks so much again for your time. What else do you have planned for the future? Is there anything else you would like to add before we sign off?

Yeah, there's loads of things I'm excited about. I said, obviously, rebrand under a Haskell, which is, you know, happening in the new year. I've got releases coming out on Nervous and In Rotation. Hopefully, another one coming out on Toolroom, maybe Stashed again as well. 

So there's lots of exciting bits and pieces. I'm hoping to get more DJ sets. And I just want to thank everybody that does support me and support Haskell as a DJ. 

 

CONNECT with HASKELL: Soundcloud | Instagram | Spotify