Max HeyraudWe caught up with Galway’s Datsko ahead of his latest release “Run Run” via Reboot Records, which drops today.
The young talent has been rapidly making a name for himself on the global club circuit. Known for his high-octane DJ sets and vocal-based, trance-inspired productions, Datsko has taken his music from the windy shores of Galway’s coastlines to the sun-kissed Australian beaches, smoke-filled German techno haunts, main-stage festival stages, and more.
With millions of streams on SoundCloud and tracks released on labels like HOUZ, Coalition Records, and God Gives Records, Datsko is carving out his own space in the dance music world. With over 100k monthly listeners and more than 10 million streams in just the past year, this Galway-based DJ and producer is tearing up the rulebook, releasing independently, blurring the lines between genres, and reaping the rewards.
His latest release on Reboot Records’ in-house label, paired with upcoming shows at some of the most iconic venues across the UK, Ireland, and far beyond, keeps the momentum building. With support from heavy hitters like Trym and sets for Teletech, one of the industry’s most influential brands, Datsko’s trajectory is skyrocketing.
Thanks for chatting with us, mate! How’s life at the moment?
Life’s really good, I’m doing what I love and meeting some fantastic new people along the way.
Let’s start at the beginning—what was your musical diet as a kid?
I mainly grew up listening to hip hop – Drake was a constant favorite. But coming from Ireland, I was also exposed to a lot of trance and techno, with artists like Basshunter and Tiësto making an appearance. I used to love some of the mainstream tracks from artists like Duck Sauce (Barbra Streisand) and Dizzee Rascal, so I was influenced by these sounds from an early age.
When you started DJing, who were the DJs you looked up to?
I looked up to Kettama, who’s from Galway, like myself. Seeing him succeed made the idea of becoming a DJ feel attainable. I was also inspired a lot by Mall Grab’s early stuff like his OG Paris Boiler Room set, the mixing of disco and lo-fi house really resonated with me.
Walk us through a typical day in your life now—what does a normal day look like?
I start my day with a workout—I’ve even invested in some weights, so that’s my go-to every morning now. After making a good breakfast, I spend most of my time either producing music or enjoying some PlayStation, especially when I’m not traveling.
You just played at Karlsruhe’s club institution, Gotec—how was that?
It was a great experience. I love playing for German crowds – the energy was fantastic, and the vibe felt very welcoming. It was a really enjoyable night and very much reminded me of playing at home. Super grateful to have quite a few more headlined bookings in that part of the world over the next while, so looking forward to making more memories on European dance floors over the coming months.
You’re fresh off playing at Glasgow’s SWG3, a colossal venue. How do you enjoy playing big stages compared to more intimate shows?
For me, it’s all about the energy. Whether I’m on a big stage or in a smaller setting, as long as the crowd is into it and enjoying themselves, I’m happy.
How are you adjusting to your full-on touring schedule?
It’s been busy, and it took some adjusting, but I’m settling into the routine. I’ve even managed to squeeze in some gaming on the go with a new PSP so there’s a little balance there haha.
Tell me about your release, I AM DATSKO, a collection of 10 original tracks. How long have you had this idea, and why release them independently?
I’ve had this idea for a long time, and I’ve built up a diverse back catalog of tracks over the years. I decided to release them independently because some of these tracks wouldn’t have fit neatly into the typical label mold, and I wanted to present them as a personal collection.
Tell us about your latest single—what was the production process like?
It was very much the classic process for me – working on my laptop in my bedroom. That’s where a lot of my best work gets done.
It’s released on Reboot Records—tell us about your relationship with the Reboot crew. How did you first get involved with them?
I first heard about Reboot at some shows in Galway a few years back. A friend of mine, Fionn Curran, who’s signed with them, introduced me to what they were all about. Later on, after vibing with them for a bit, Reboot saw potential in my work, and I was more than happy to join their team. They’ve become like a family, and every time we are together it feels like an episode of a tv show, like a sitcom haha.
Do you have anything else in the pipeline you can share with us?
Yes there’s quite a few big things coming up, I’ve just recently completed 2 Australian tours and I’m booked in again for my third, I have my Index debut coming up on May 2nd plus a whole worldwide touring schedule which I’m really excited about and my Emerge debut in Belfast this summer is something I’m also looking forward to. Plus, there are plenty of tracks in the queue waiting to be released this year so stay tuned for these!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring artist?
I’d say remember why you started. Enjoy the process, don’t overthink every project, and focus on what makes you happy. The rest will follow in time.