As you wander through the ever-expanding landscape of Arizona’s electronic music scene, one name quickly rises above the rest: CASTI. A radiant force behind the decks, she has built a reputation for delivering energetic, genre-bending sets that flow like stories, drawing listeners through moments of emotion, movement, and connection. What began as a leap of faith into a local DJ competition has evolved into a journey that has seen her become one of the state’s most recognizable rising talents. Rooted in the community that raised her and inspired by the underground culture she fell in love with, CASTI continues to carve out her own lane while helping shape the future of Arizona dance music.
In this Electric Hawk exclusive interview, CASTI reflects on the defining moments that turned DJing from a bedroom hobby into a serious project, the Arizona scene that helped raise her, her evolving “underground eclectic” sound, and more!
Listen to CASTI and her latest single, “Dopamine,” while you read all about her!
In Conversation with CASTI
seradopa: Before DJing entered the picture, what was your relationship with music growing up? Were you always drawn toward electronic music?
CASTI: Yes, I actually got introduced to electronic music very early on. I grew up doing competitive dance; because of ballet training, classical music influenced my taste in music a lot too. My dance teachers were all really cool and listened to Flume, and when I was in middle school, I was introduced to different genres of music.
So I was introduced to electronic music at a very young age by my cool dance teachers, and I feel like it influenced my taste in music throughout high school. I started going to underground raves when I was 17 and 18, so I really got into it young and always loved the culture around it too.
seradopa: Take us back to 2021. What inspired you to learn how to DJ during your college years, and what initially attracted you to the craft?
CASTI: I was being influenced by a couple of different places.
I was going to a lot of shows and raves with my college friends. Then I was also working at a bar with nightly DJs, so I saw local house DJs coming in and out and started to become friends with them. They were a big part of my influence and teaching. But what really made the decision was after seeing Chris Lake and Fisher: Under Construction back in May or June of 2021.
I literally bought my DJ Decks the next morning. I left Chris Lake and Fisher and was like, ”yep, I’m doing it,” and the DJs at the bar I was working at were so generous in showing me the ropes. When it was slow, they taught me different things, and let me come up and watch over their shoulder. They were very influential in helping me get my name out and introducing me to people in the scene.
seradopa: Was there a defining moment where the CASTI project really started to take shape or feel “real” to you?
CASTI: Yes! In October of 2022, I did a DJ competition with Diamond Juice. To be honest, before this, I was not taking DJing seriously, I was just doing it for fun in my bedroom, recording mixes every once in a while. I had played out maybe five times, (played on CDJs ONCE), and I entered this DJ competition that was going to be held at Darkstar. I was also very nervous because of the finalists selected, I was the only girl. Before the day of the live competition, the promoters (and my future mentors) gave us advice, “We’re really looking for open format DJs,” and I always loved all different genres so I took this as my opportunity to try it out.
I had been trying to figure out how to incorporate bass music and drum and bass into my sets, but this was the push I needed to actually figure it out. When I go to the DJ competition, I pull the last number. I was number six, so I got to go last, which was really lucky. That’s always great in a DJ competition because all night, the other DJs only played house sets. By the time I went on, halfway through my set, I switched over to bass and it really was a hit with the crowd. That feeling of just having a room, so engaged and being the one making that happen. The crowd was college kids and a lot of them hadn’t ever heard drum and bass before, but just the energy of it, they were so into it.
That moment changed everything for me! Immediately thinking, “I’m addicted to this! This is the thing!” Overall, I won the DJ competition, and the main promoter that was putting it on, Dono, really took me under his wing. He became a mentor to me and introduced me to other people in the scene. He’s still a huge supporter and has done so much for me! He was definitely one of the first people to really believe in my project, maybe even more than I did at the time.
seradopa: That’s how a lot of DJs I’ve talked to before have mentioned. Doing it for fun and then there’s just that one moment where it’s like, wait, I want to do this for a long time!
CASTI: I grew up performing and dancing. I always loved being on stage, and I didn’t realize how much I was missing that. Missing that feeling of just my soul leaving my body, and I’m watching it from an aerial view. In a flow state and clocked out, and like that moment in the DJ competition, I felt what I used to feel on stage when I was dancing. And I missed this, like this is what I live for.
seradopa: Your rise as an artist seems closely tied to the growth of Arizona’s electronic music community. What was it like developing as a DJ while simultaneously watching the scene evolve around you?
CASTI: It’s been awesome to really be a big part of it. I feel I have been able to dip my toes into a lot of different areas of the scene by playing different genres, and I’ve seen all of the different collectives grow in their own ways.
Something that’s really cool about the Arizona scene is that we have all of these different pockets. The techno scene and our bass scene is really big and thriving, and there’s the Burning Man house scene with the Walter community, and like all of those different pockets being able to exist simultaneously and continue growing has been really cool.
I love all of them for different reasons. My style has changed throughout the years as I’ve gotten more involved in different communities with different friends. I’m influenced by the people I’m surrounding myself with, and my friends a lot too, so I just feel it’s cool to be able to co-create and be a part of it as it grows.
seradopa: Phoenix and Arizona have become increasingly recognized for their electronic music culture over the past few years. From your perspective, what makes this scene special?
CASTI: It’s so hot outside that you pretty much can only go out at night, so our afters are always like we are aftering, and a lot of us go nocturnal, so that’s definitely part of it that contributes to our scene. But I think that people out here really grind during the week and they need that space to let go on the weekends.
I also think we have a really special space with the Walter community, which is for sure a standout in our local scene, and they’ve grown a ton to where the shows are always so busy! I always have the best times there, it is so immersive and the community is so welcoming. It is a true safe space to dance and enjoy music which is so healing.
seradopa: You’ve had opportunities to play some of the state’s most beloved events, including Gem & Jam, June Jam, Desert Hearts Decadence, and Breakaway. What did it feel like to reach those milestones?
CASTI: Crazy, funny story about the Breakaway booking last year. When I got that email about opening the main stage, I thought it was a scam. I screenshotted it and sent it to my DJ mentor, and I was like, “Is this real?”
I genuinely didn’t believe it; that was a really cool moment because there was literally a billboard off the highway with me on it. Like that was just so wild, my mind was blown!
Then the whole experience of getting to play Desert Hearts was the same. Because they’re a community that I love to be a part of. All of their parties, every time they’re in town, are always the best vibes and crowds. It’s been a record label that I’ve always wanted to work with, and I’ve been working towards it. When I got the call to play Desert Hearts last year, I was crying. I was so excited. It just felt so full circle, like something I wouldn’t have even fathomed a few years ago. I have days where it definitely feels like dreams are coming true – it’s a crazy feeling.
seradopa: Looking back, what would the version of yourself playing college parties in 2021 think if she saw where you are today?
CASTI: I didn’t see this coming at all! When I first started out, this was not even fathomable in the slightest. I’d probably be looking at myself like, “Who is this girl, and also, why didn’t she get a normal job,” but I do think that I would be pretty mind-blown by it.
I know a really younger me would think I’m so cool because I wanted to be a pop star. I wanted to be Hannah Montana, and this is the closest I’m ever gonna get.
seradopa: While many fans first discovered you through your DJ sets, you’ve recently been placing more emphasis on releasing original music. What inspired that shift?
CASTI: I mean, it was always the plan. I have always loved music so much. When I started DJing, I was gaining a better understanding of song structures and different genres very quickly. Being like, “Oh, I see where I could add to this,” and starting to question, “How do I make that sound?”
So very early on in learning to DJ, I became fascinated and curious about making my own music. Maybe about a year in was when I started learning how to produce, and it’s been a little over three years, closer to three and a half now, of producing music and learning Ableton.
Now I’m finally getting to a place where I’m feeling confident with what I’m making, feeling like it resonates with me and that I’m finding my own niche, which feels like it took a long time to get there and is still always evolving. I didn’t know how to use the equipment or music theory, and so it’s been a lot of YouTube University and learning from friends, but finally getting to this place of releasing some tracks feels really good, because it’s been the goal the whole time.
seradopa: How would you describe the CASTI sound to someone hearing your music for the first time?
CASTI: I would describe it as underground eclectic. Maybe a little bit weird at times. I like to pull influence from 70s and 80s music. I love the old school genres too, and I like to pay homage to them when I can, but definitely like underground, groovy, bass tech-house.
seradopa: Are there specific artists, genres, or experiences that have influenced the direction your productions are taking?
CASTI: Desert Hearts has influenced me a lot in the past two to three years, just going to their events every time they’re here, and I really enjoy the culture that they bring and their sound. Dirtybird was one of the first record labels I really fell in love with, so that old-school Dirtybird sound is starting to influence my newer music more.
That was something that I didn’t realize I would come back to, but I really have. So those are huge labels that have influenced me. Nala is a huge influence, artist-wise. I love how she uses her voice in her music, and she’s been someone that I’ve looked up to since I started DJing.
Seradopa: What kind of emotional or physical energy are you trying to create when you’re building a set or producing a track?
CASTI: I do try to tell a story when I’m building a set, and I don’t often stay in just one subgenre. I really will move through a couple of different pockets. Within an hour, I’ll play four to five different genres to tell a story that way, with a beginning, middle, and end.
When I play, I’m really trying to find contrast and elements that you wouldn’t expect together. Like a song with a really pretty high arpeggio synth, then something low and bassy to contrast it in a way you wouldn’t expect. Then find the middle ground. So a lot of contrast in my production style, and then I guess in sets it’s the same kind of thing just in the form of building the contrast throughout an hour.
seradopa: Beyond the music, how do you want to grow, both within the CASTI project and as a person?
CASTI: I am learning more about myself, and the CASTI project is falling into place more. That’s definitely something I’m continuing to work on and grow every day. I’m still very young and I’m trying to be patient with how everything’s falling into place.
Be true to what I’m passionate about in the moment, and follow my intuition at every turn, because anytime I’ve gone against it, that’s when things have gotten weird, and following it has never done me wrong. That’s been a big goal this past year: getting in tune with myself so I can let everything else happen naturally and just know where to go – it’ll all fall into place.
seradopa: You have a new single on the horizon. What can listeners expect from this release? What inspired the track?
CASTI: This one is one I am very excited about! I finished the song a year and a half ago, and have been playing it in my sets since. It is one where the first drop is groovy and more on the tech house side, and then the last drop really has a punchy bassline and very electro influence. It’s a song so worth listening to all the way through.
It’s called “Dopamine,” and it’s released on Almost Like We Met Sub Label, which is more underground and bass-focused. This is just my personal favorite song to play in all my sets, and it always gets a great crowd reaction. I’m very excited for it to be out in the world! Streaming now on all platforms!
seradopa: You have a new single on the horizon. What can listeners expect from this release? What inspired the track?
CASTI: Definitely releasing more music! I am constantly working on new tunes. I have a couple that I’m going to be playing at June Jam that aren’t signed yet so I am excited about those. I’ve been collaborating with some new artist friends, which is always exciting.
seradopa: What do you believe has been changing for the better and what do you believe needs to be improved/changed immediately in our industry? How could we better build a supportive community within the electronic scene?
CASTI: Inclusivity has been changing for the better, and we have created a lot more space and diversity in that way, but at the same time, there has been a lack of accountability and protection for the marginalized groups that we are booking.
I have seen, both in our local scene and nationally, areas where clubs fall short in protecting these artists. Not being there to protect women from sexual assault, not protecting the marginalized groups from hate. Overall, I think there has been an improvement in creating space for minorities in the scene, but we also need protection. Unfortunately, the hate and negativity are still out there, so it is just finding a balance at this point.
seradopa: Last question, what do you have coming up that you would like to share, or any advice you would like to share with our audience?
CASTI: Listen to “Dopamine” out now! Go stream it!
And then advice…listen to your heart and follow your intuition. It’s cheesy, but it’s never steered me wrong.
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