I sit down with modular synth artist, producer, and label owner David Castellani to unpack the twists and turns of a music career built on exploration, curiosity, and relentless self-reflection. From his early roots in live percussion and hip-hop to the immersive world of modular synthesis, David shares how staying open to change has shaped both his sound and his outlook.

We talk about defining success beyond numbers, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and why creative momentum starts with the quality of your thoughts. David opens up about the pressures of going solo, what keeps him inspired in the studio, and how he balances deep artistic vision with the day-to-day of running a label and performing live.

• Why genre-hopping can sharpen your musical identity
• How modular synthesis can unlock new creative directions
• The difference between technical skill and idea quality
• Staying inspired as a solo artist without getting stuck in a vacuum
• Practical advice on finishing tracks, performing live, and running a label

"Music is just ideas - and the only thing separating the artists who make it is the quality of those ideas."

"When I became a solo producer and had to make every decision myself, everything got tighter. Suddenly I was responsible for every sound, every choice."

"I’m always looping back into myself - questioning, adjusting. That internal feedback is where the growth happens."

"Follow your sound, trust your intuition… but don’t stop checking what’s just outside your blind spot. That’s often where the magic is."

"Electronic musicians are often in a vacuum. And I don’t think that helps us - it actually holds us back."

"I truly believe everyone could have a rewarding life in music. The difference isn’t talent - it’s the moment they were (or weren’t) inspired the right way."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Download 5 Proven Habits of Artists Who Actually Finish Tracks

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Shadow Child

ABOUT THE HOST

Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.

CONNECT & CONTACT

http://instagram.com/opendawmusic

http://instagram.com/lexluca

Email: hello@opendawtalks.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we speak to Avaion - a genre-defying producer, vocalist, and live performer whose music connects by design. From SoundCloud beginnings to sold-out live shows, Avaion reveals how he built a music career on emotional honesty, sonic depth, and relentless consistency.

We explore how to stay creative in a dopamine-fuelled, fast-scrolling world, how to finish music when perfectionism strikes, and how sound itself can speak louder than words. For independent artists feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure, this is an invitation to return to the joy of creating.

This episode is for anyone asking: How do I stay inspired and finish more music without selling my soul - or burning out?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Finishing is a muscle: Why treating music-making like daily training (not divine inspiration) helped Avaion break through.
• Design for emotion, not algorithms: Synths, textures, and ambiguity let listeners feel their own story.
• From YouTube to headliner: The DIY approach to branding, visual storytelling, and getting signed without gatekeepers.
• Inside the live show: A behind-the-scenes look at Avaion’s Ableton-based performance rig—plus why his fans rarely have phones in the air.
• Creative recovery: How sunlight, cold showers, and friends—not plugins—can help you beat creative blocks.

BEST MOMENTS

Your opinion is the one that matters most. Everyone else is just noise.

Music is art—not work. But you still have to train like an athlete.

If I can help people make their own story with my song - that’s the whole point.

The tracks I overthought never worked. The ones I just felt - those are the ones that connected.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Download 5 Proven Habits of Artists Who Actually Finish Tracks

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Camden Cox

ABOUT THE HOST

Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.

CONNECT & CONTACT

http://instagram.com/opendawmusic

http://instagram.com/lexluca

Email: hello@opendawtalks.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sit down with legendary UK producer and DJ Shadow Child (formerly Dave Spoon) to talk reinvention, artistic integrity, and the realities behind a long-lasting career in dance music. From stepping away at the height of commercial success to redefining his sound and creative purpose, Shadow Child opens up about the risks, the doubts, and the breakthroughs that shaped his evolution as an artist.

We talk candidly about mental health, the pressure to stay relevant, and how to build a sustainable, meaningful career in an industry that often rewards fast wins over long-term vision.

Key Takeaways:

• Why walking away from success can be a creative turning point
• Navigating burnout, anxiety, and the pressure to always perform
• How Shadow Child rebuilt his identity—and his sound
• Real-world tips on collaboration and staying grounded in the studio
• What it really takes to build a sustainable music career today

Join us for a conversation full of depth, honesty, and lessons from someone who’s lived it.

BEST MOMENTS

"Everything starts like in here … in the studio. I can be a DJ as well and do the radio thing and whatever I've done else I've done in my career, but if it's not happening in a room like this, then I need to take a look at that"

"If a label isn't going to take your music, it doesn't mean that the music is bad … it's all very subjective"

"I needed a reset button and I needed me to come through the music again because I wasn't coming through the music. My roots, my background, everything I grew up with, that I'm passionate about musically came through in all my early Spoon stuff. But it stopped coming through because of the need to maintain this profile on this circuit I was on."

"Trying to get out of this room sometimes it's easy to forget to step out and just feel that the air, the breeze or even a bit of rain. I'm fortunate my studio’s in house. I can sit in here in my pants once my daughter's gone to school if I want to. No one's here. Actually it's not the greatest idea to just sit here all day."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Download 5 Proven Habits of Artists Who Actually Finish Tracks

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Steve Bug

ABOUT THE HOST

Lex Luca is a London-based DJ, producer, and tastemaker, known for his infectious energy both behind the decks and in the studio. With releases on Snatch!, Nervous, and his own label In Tune, Lex has garnered support from industry heavyweights like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, and Claude von Stroke. A former BBC Radio 1 producer, he brings a wealth of experience to his craft, delivering a unique blend of house, disco, and techno that has taken him from London to Ibiza and beyond. Lex founded OpenDAW Songwriting camps, bringing together independent musicians to collaborate. And now, as the host of OpenDAW Talks, Lex shares his journey and insights with the next generation of music creators.

CONNECT & CONTACT

http://instagram.com/opendawmusic

http://instagram.com/lexluca

Email: hello@opendawtalks.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.