All the People Dancing: An Interview with Gaskin

Over the past few years, Gaskin has firmly become someone you can’t miss in our beloved house scene. Coming from the North East of England near Newcastle, he grew up soaking in the sounds of Patrick Topping and Hot Creations, and that early spark pulled him straight into the club world. After catching the bug at The Cut in Newcastle, he dove in headfirst — hitting parties every weekend before eventually moving to Ibiza for a season.

In the last few years, Gaskin has built serious momentum, dropping tracks on labels like Up The Stuss, Eastenderz, Solid Grooves, PIV, Locus, and Caposile Music. His own label, Bass Jamz, has also taken off, thanks in part to his weapon of a release “Dirty Mindz” and a steady run of well-received parties. He’s been stacking lineups that mix rising talent with established heavy-hitters like Archie Hamilton, Ozzie Guven, Obskür, Locklead, and Robbie Doherty, hosting events everywhere from Amsterdam and Ibiza to Leeds and beyond.

The last couple of years has been huge for him, with sets at places like Amnesia Ibiza, Creamfields, and Hide & Seek Festival, as well as a special Bass Jamz show at 528 Ibiza that felt like a full-circle moment. Despite the rapid rise, he stays laid-back and focused on keeping it real — not overthinking, not trying to fit into any box.

In this interview, Gaskin talks about everything from favorite club memories and label lessons to his favorite pasta and post-set food cravings. It's a genuine look at an artist who clearly loves what he’s doing and doesn’t take himself too seriously.

What’s one track that never leaves your USB these days?

One to One – All the People Dancing (People’s Mix).

Do you remember the first party or club night that made you think, “Yeah, I want to do this”?

The first ever event I walked into was The Cut in Newcastle and Theo Kottis was playing. I just remember falling in love with it straight away. I went to an event every weekend after that for about five years before moving to Ibiza to do a season.

How has growing up near Newcastle shaped your ear or attitude toward music?

Being a big fan of Patrick Topping as a kid, I was massively influenced by that early Hot Creations sound and always wanted to push to be doing parties like Paradise, Motion, Kaluki, elrow, etc.

What first got you into this scene?

After going to our first ever event, we got back to Lundy’s house after and watched the film The Weekender three times. We were massively influenced by the old-school ’90s rave scene, and that’s when we came up with the idea of throwing our own parties.

Bass Jamz has taken off quickly — what’s been the most unexpected part of running your own label?

It may look like it’s taken off quickly, but no one sees what goes on behind closed doors to get to where we are. It’s been eight years of non-stop work, putting ideas together, DJing to empty dance floors, getting turned down by big venues, labels, and DJs. Our sound didn’t form overnight; it was years of back and forth between the residents, and luckily it just clicked for us one day.

How do you know when a track is ready to send off to a label versus keeping it for yourself?

I have a handful of other DJs I send it to, to test out, and if it gets a good reaction then I push that one a lot on socials. Often, labels end up coming to you. Building a good relationship with label owners is important also for new producers — putting your face to a name is one of the most important things.

Do you produce with the dancefloor in mind or do you follow instinct and see where it lands?

I always imagine certain clubs/places when I’m producing, yeah, and also certain moments in my set — whether it’s a track made to create a moment mid-set or a track for a peak time set to build the energy.

You've released on a range of labels. What draws you to a label when considering where to send music?

I like to make all different types of music and try to keep my sound open to release on any label really. I find once you start thinking your music is ‘too cool’ for certain labels, that’s when you’re isolating yourself to only play for certain parties, and in the long run, it will affect your career and slow you down.

What’s been your favorite set to play so far this year and why?

Bass Jamz Ibiza at 528 was a special one, as it’s the venue we used to go to in our first season in Ibiza in 2018. Such a special day with our full crew!

Favorite artist at the moment? Any underrated artist you’ve been keeping an eye on?

Wildish, one of our residents, is making moves behind closed doors and is one of my favourite DJs, so I can’t wait to see what comes for him over the next year.

As someone moving fast in the scene, how do you stay grounded?

Don’t get caught up in the scene — just remember the initial reason why you’re doing what you’re doing and don’t compare your journey to anyone. For me, I’m just always myself so it doesn’t even cross my mind about staying grounded, to be honest. I feel like the same person I was before I started touring, but I just worked hard to be able to do it full time. I feel like if anyone wanted it hard enough, they could do it — just have to put the work in.

Have you picked up anything surprising or useful from the artists or scenes in Ibiza, Barcelona, or other spots you've played recently?

Just be sound to everyone you meet, as you never know when someone could help you out or do something to benefit your career. The artists that work together and have good teams around them always do the best.

Can you tease anything about the upcoming releases you’re excited about?

Mine and Ben Hemsley’s track “If Your Girl” is nearly all cleared to get released. This is one of my most asked-about tracks, so I can’t wait to get this one out.

Do you think the UK scene still has a certain energy that’s different from the rest of Europe?

In my opinion, the UK scene is at the best it’s been since the early Hot Creations days. I feel like two years ago there were a lot of complaints with everyone getting their phones out, but I think we’re past that stage now. The music that is being released is the best it’s ever been, so everyone is loving it, and you can see more people just there for the music rather than just getting videos.

If you weren’t doing music, where do you think you’d be right now?

I would have definitely liked to move abroad, maybe to Australia or something, for a few years if I wasn’t touring so much!

What club or festival would you suggest for a first-timer to truly immerse themselves in the house music culture?

The Loft, Manchester! No vibe like it. Or After Caposile in Italy for the outdoor summer parties — they’re special!

What’s a production mistake you made early on that taught you something valuable?

Don’t make music to fit certain sounds; just make what you love, even if it’s not the “in sound,” as that’s when you will progress most and your music will end up more special.

If your music had to be described as a type of pasta, what would it be?

Tortelloni, as people always ask how I add so much feeling to my tracks, but it’s because of the special ingredients that come from the inside that make them so special haha.

What’s one thing about the nightlife world that still cracks you up?

The way TikTok has influenced a lot of the new generation of ravers.

What’s your go-to post-set snack or ritual?

Love all food — I literally don’t think I could narrow this one down.

An upcoming highlight for Gaskin - he features as part of the first ever Paradise in the City Festival, presented by Jamie Jones and LWE on Saturday 2nd August in London’s Boston Manor Park. Grab your tickets here.