Chase Costello
Name: Chase Costello
Birthdate: February 5, 1985
Birth Place: Humboldt County
Website: Eventvibe.com
Label: EV Music
Genre: Progressive House, Progressive Trance, Hard Trance
Current Residence: On Broadway Event Center
Favorite place to perform: On Broadway
Favorite Happy Hour: Red Circle
All-time favorite album: “Perfecto Presents Another World” by Paul Oakenfold
Influences: TOOL, Paul Oakenfold, Tiesto, BT, Prodigy
How long you been spinning and how’d you get started?
On a trip to San Diego, at age 16, I was inspired by my older cousin John Costello after seeing him tear it up on a pair of technics. Having already been interested in the genre of Progressive Trance, I picked up my first set of turntables within a few months of this visit to Southern California. Up until April of 2007 I was using the Stanton STR8-80 Turntables with a Stanton SA-8 mixer. At the end of April 2007, local trance DJ, Cowboy Mike began mentoring me on Pioneer CDJ-1000s and the DJM-909 mixer to prepare for the club shows. After a couple small gigs I met Tim Ortiz and was booked for my first show at On Broadway in December of 2007 with Cowboy Mike and George Acosta.
How have you managed to move through the ranks of the San Diego DJ market so quickly?
Success as a DJ is highly numbers driven. With the support of Cowboy Mike, Tim Ortiz, Steve Kamp, my brothers from Phi Kappa Theta, Bobby Reyes of Eventvibe.com, my friends in SAE and Sigma Pi at SDSU, and many others. I've been able to build a dedicated fan base that always makes it out to see my shows. Although I intend to remain based out of San Diego, I have my sights set on the international market and it will require a strong support base to realize this goal. I’m very thankful for the support I have received...it has been a lot of work to reach this point and I wouldn’t be here without you guys!
Which producers are you currently collaborating with?
I have three primary collaborations. Cowboy Mike, Yan Lhert, and Scott Rojas are very talented with music and it is always a pleasure to work with them on production. You can expect to see many upcoming track releases from these collaborations this year.
If you could pick to collaborate with any Producer in the word, who would that be?
Probably Above and Beyond because of their extraordinary sound, but producing trance with Max Graham would surely be an honor.
What else do you do besides spinning the decks?
I was a music production minor at SDSU and have been developing my skills more seriously as a producer over the past couple years. I’m working to become a professional dance music producer and I am very committed to success. Tim Ortiz has formed a new San Diego based record label called EV music and has brought me on board as a DJ/Producer for the label. This is a very exciting opportunity and with Tim Ortiz behind the operation EV music is bound for success. Currently Cowboy Mike, Yan Lhert, $uperfox, Brett Neiman, DJ Skinnie, and myself compose the EV music DJ/Producer team.
Congrats on the new Track that’s coming out. Tell us about it.
I recently met up with a friend of mine Lauren Laddusaw to collaborate with her on vocals for the first time and she ended up having an incredible voice. We decided on the A.K.A. of Lauren Rene for her artist name on track releases. After a couple days of collaboration on the vocal, and around 50 hours of production on the track, I’m gearing up for my first track release entitled ‘You and Me.’
Best memory as a DJ?
It was definitely my graduation night when I wore my graduation cap on stage while opening for DJ Miss Lisa and DJ Diamond at On Broadway.
Best thing about DJing?
The opportunity to share my creativity with others on a 100,000 watt sound system and help them to have a good time is the most rewarding thing.
Worst thing about being a DJ?
DJing is all around good times…
Any pre-DJ rituals?
Clear my head and have a couple Jonnie Walker Black Labels on the rocks for an hour or so before a show…
What about the DJ scene in San Diego? Is it comparable to other places?
The dj scene in San Diego is a little tricky because it’s not as receptive to Trance as other cities like LA, NY, or Miami. Sometimes you have to adapt to your demographic because in the end its better for them and for you if the club is going off. And at the same time you have to be passionate about the music you are playing, otherwise your disinterest in the music will impact your effectiveness.
How would you describe the mix you play?
I like to blend progressive house and progressive trance for my local shows in San Diego and make sure to work the dance floor.
Are there any records/songs from when you first started DJing that you still spin today? If so, what are some of them?
Barraka-Song to the Siren (Max Graham Remix)
Amoebassassin-Pile Driver (Greyed Out Summer Remix)
Tilt-The World Doesn’t Know
Max Graham-Airtight
What is the craziest thing a girl has done to meet you?
Gave me a fake business card and I called her out on it because I know other people from that company, told her to kick rox…
What direction do you see DJing going in?
I plan to develop my progressive trance skills in the coming months
Last words or anything we should look out for in 2008?
I will be releasing multiple tracks and at least one full length continuous mix album by years end.
Any shout-outs?
Tim Ortiz, Cowboy Mike, Victor Dinaire, Scott Rojas, and Bunyamin Alkan have been great friends and mentors to me since day one and I cannot thank them enough for their support.
Check out Chase Costello at our Issue Release Party July 31 at Universal Hillcrest.