Tommy Castro is a Brooklyn-based DJ, musician & record label owner (Our Starry Universe Records). Former host of Cool Runnings. Tommy has a monthly radio show, Grand Street Sounds, w/ Planet B & William Robbins at The Lot Radio & a bi-weekly show, Our Starry Universe, for the Brighton (UK) radio station 1BTN.FM. Additionally, Tommy & Brooklyn Record Exchange owner Ben Steidel play together as Spicy Boys & made “Spicy Little Clouds” for the Lot Radio’s “A lot of love” compilation.
We sat down with Tommy to get some answers on the most important things in life. Enjoy!
What artists and/or genres have been your biggest musical inspirations?
Warp records is a big influence, as is/was 4AD. I really liked guitar music when I was younger & went to shows several nights a week in my 20s and that live energy was formative. When I moved to NYC the Arthur Russell biography really got me & I had a great Arthur phase. Lately I’m on the Bandcamp site a lot: open tabs everywhere, laptop full of name your price compilations, email blasts. Bandcamp fomo is real.
If you could spend one night with a person (dead or living), who would it be & what would you want to do together?
A really great doctor. Receive satisfying healthcare.
How do you feel music has changed in the last decade?
More bass and faster tempos. Lots of 90s vibe checking. There is a lot of great music and more access to new ideas but also a restless questioning of how metrics, algorithms and social media function in musical spaces.
What places/spaces are you drawn to for creative inspiration?
I work for a large used record store and it’s very inspiring. Going to the club can be very inspiring too. I’m equally drawn to staying home, practicing self-care, eating well and getting good rest—a happy brain and quiet mind is very inspiring.
What’s 1 party coming up in New York City you’re most excited about?
I’m excited the Loft crew are going to play at Brooklyn Bridge Park again this summer. But also: Bad Room July 18 I’m guest djing the Love Tempo party all night long with Billy Caldwell)
