We handed the keys to Kyle Hakala, best known as Hakala, to unlock his inspirations, future plans, and outlook on the San Diego music scene.
What initially inspired you to enter the music space?
I was low-key an antisocial butterfly when I first got to college. I wanted to join in on the parties but I loathed small talk, so I naturally gravitated towards controlling the music. I instantly fell in love with house music the first time I experienced the Do LaB in 2014. It was a real "well this is just my life now" moment.
Talk us through your favorite genres to DJ/ produce
I started off making hip hop beats then slowly got into making tech house. Kaytranada, Disclosure, Walker & Royce, & Latmun were the artists that I wanted to model myself after most, so eventually I just figured out a formula for myself through a lot of imitation. I'm admittedly still sample heavy and learning a lot, but I like to think I can I flip a lot of nothing into something these days.
What brought you to San Diego?
San Diego stole my heart through the night life. CRSSD festival is like Christmas for me, so the fact it happens in San Diego at least 4 times a year (including DAY MVS & NGHT MVS) it was a no-brainer that I would relocate down here from Los Angeles. The events aside, there is an energy in San Diego that I've found is missing in a lot of other cities. There's less networking and a lot more people just looking to have a good time.
With so many newly opened venues and recently started events, the San Diego dance scene is growing rapidly. What are your observations on the scene & community here?
San Diego really did rapidly snowball into a house music mecca over the past few years. Although I feel like an outside observer and I'm not tapped into every community, it definitely felt like things held up a little stronger here than most places post Covid.
There is probably something to be said for the beachside environment blending perfectly with tech house. Overall, the passion the people here have for house music just prevailed. It also feels like the events don't really compete, rather they synchronize with each other, if you will.
Walk us through your process of preparing for a set
My process has really changed throughout the years. These days I usually doom-scroll through SoundCloud, Beatport, and Spotify in the days leading up to a set. I spend a few hours downloading and throwing all of the tracks into Mixed In Key. Then I'll make a few playlists organized based on groovers/bangers/out of pocket tracks. I don't ever really want to go into a set with a plan other than knowing my tracks are in key and they are in a playlist. I'm actually pretty disorganized. I would not model my style if you are just starting out.
What's been your favorite venue to play in San Diego?
I'm still getting footing down here with the different venues and collectives but I've been fortunate enough to play Bloom Nightclub and Firehouse a few times. Bloom exceeded all of my expectations and the whole staff there is incredible. NOVA has also been amazing but that's just a given, it's hard to go wrong working with Insomniac.
When you're going out dancing in San Diego on a night off from producing & DJing, where will we find you?
I wish I had a good answer for this, but funnily enough I don't know what I'm doing at any given time. I'll take a look at flyers that come across my social media and decide where I go based on that. I'd say my favorite nights are the Desert Hearts takeovers at Spin. Bang Bang is another top notch venue. It's honestly just great you can Uber from one spot to the next in San Diego.
Who are your 'ones to watch' from the San Diego scene?
I've noticed the Yoon Fest crew has been killing it. They definitely have a purpose and a direction that isn't going anywhere but up. As far as producers go, Not Not is criminally under-rated, and I have to shout out Rozegarden & Twinflame from the Top Shelf Disco crew, watching their careers blossom has been really cool. Hood Politics is another one that might be obvious, but they have the game on lock.
What should we look out for from you in the future?
I have a track that will be dropping soon with Tech Avenue Records late September! Also I'm super excited to have finally brought in someone to work with me on social media and management. She's brand new to the business so we are kind of figuring things out together. I also finally have a few collaborations in the works.
I've been a little self conscious of how slow I work in the studio in the past but I'm more confident with my sound and what I can bring to the table these days. "BiG tHiNgS cOmInG."
If you could play anywhere, at any venue in the world tonight, where would it be?
I'd love to play Printworks in London before it closes. I haven't been, but I've looked at photos and I swear I've never seen a more beautiful looking venue in my life. More realistically, playing Exchange in LA back in July was a big moment for me, I really want to run that one back.
In what ways can the San Diego dance community support or collaborate with you?
There is a slight barrier because I'm still fairly new to the scene down here. I've been back and forth between San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles the past few years because I want to take thing as far and wide as possible, but hope I can keep getting booked!
Aside from me personally, I wish across the board that events realize booking the same people over and over saturates things and kills your value. Expand your horizons a bit and good things will happen I promise!
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