Unlocking
Hakala
Kyle Hakala describes himself as low key antisocial in college, and gravitated toward controlling the music at parties to avoid small talk. He discovered house music through the Do LaB in 2014, a moment he calls a 'well, this is just my life now' turning point, and now cites Kaytranada, Disclosure, Walker & Royce and Latmun as primary influences on his tech house sound.
San Diego's nightlife, and CRSSD festival in particular, drew him to the city, along with what he describes as an energy here that he's found missing in a lot of other places. He calls Bloom Nightclub and Firehouse his favorite venues to play, and says he's usually chasing Desert Hearts takeovers at Spin or Bang Bang on nights off.
There's an energy in San Diego that I've found is missing in a lot of other cities.
He names the Yoon Fest crew, Not Not, Rozegarden, Twinflame and Hood Politics Records as ones to watch, and has a Tech Avenue Records release coming along with a growing list of collaborations.
Hakala