Terminal V Podcast 097 || CÉLESTE
SHARE
The Glasgow-based Céleste duo are amongst a healthy crop of artists putting their hometown on the map. Their high-energy techno sits right at the vanguard with hints of trance nostalgia and a penchant for fun edits all bring each and every set to life with HD colour and emotion.
They are residents at the beloved Berkeley Suite and regulars at the iconic Sub Club who are now known around Europe and beyond for their electrifying B2B sets and always unpredictable selections. As well as releases on labels like Transition, Hot Meal and Carouse, and gigs everywhere from Ibiza to New York, they form the collective Ocboys with former Terminal V podcasters testpress and Jude Bradshaw, plus D4n and la maison. As they continue their red-hot form, we chat with Céleste about their label and clothing brand Sih-Lest®️, the vibrant local scene, how they work in the studio and plenty more.
When did you first meet, why did you decide to form a duo, and why does it work?
We first met in uni halls – Murano at Glasgow University. We didn’t know each other that well at first but had mutual friends and ended up hanging out more over time. We both started getting into DJing around the same time and did our first back-to-back set at the student union. During lockdown we had the time to properly learn and experiment, and once restrictions lifted, we launched our own club night at The Berkeley Suite, where we’ve held a monthly residency ever since.
Playing as a duo works because we can bounce off each other in the moment – it keeps things fresh and spontaneous. Since we don’t really rehearse our sets, there’s always a bit of unpredictability, which adds a cool dynamic and keeps the energy natural.
Who does what in the studio – do you both have set roles and specific skills you bring, like a mastery of drums or a way with melodies etc, or can either of you do anything when it comes to production?
Hamzah’s usually the one on the computer, building out the tracks and handling the technical side of things, while Harry’s right beside him – throwing out ideas, digging for samples, and helping shape the overall vibe. It’s a proper collaboration though – we both bring ideas to the table, whether it’s a melody, a drum loop, or a sample we’ve found separately, and then we flesh them out together in the studio. We’ve each got our own strengths, but there’s a lot of crossover too, so it’s more about the flow and energy between us than sticking to set roles.
Lately, we’ve been working out of Hammer’s studio, which has been a game changer. Having access to a proper professional space has really boosted our creativity and made the whole process feel a lot more inspired.
You’re part of the OCboys collective, right? Tell us about the mission there, the goal, why and how you came together.
Yeah, OCboys started because we were all pals and wanted to make tunes together. We were all making this high-energy, club-focused sound and all based in Glasgow, so it just made sense to link up and start collaborating. It’s always been about having fun and supporting each other, but we’re serious about the music too – we want to push boundaries while keeping things light and community-driven.
It originally kicked off with five of us – testpress, us (Céleste), and LA MAISON – and since then we’ve brought in Jude Bradshaw and D4N. We’ve started to get some exciting momentum going – we recently had our first international booking in Amsterdam, which was an unreal weekend. Big shoutout to the FOUR YOU boys for having us!
Harder dance, hard groove and techno-trance are as hyped as ever right now after a few years of bubbling up. How much more room is there to evolve, to find new ideas within these sounds, do you think? Is it a sound that’s as fresh and exciting as ever for you?
Dance music is constantly evolving, and that’s what keeps it exciting – but for us, it’s important not to just chase trends. As long as we’re making music that feels true to us, the buzz is always there. We try not to box ourselves into specific genres either – that can be pretty limiting. If we’re into the sound, we’ll make it, simple as that.
Glasgow also seems to be really having a moment and producing plenty of rising stars, why is that do you think? Has it had a good community and scene for a while and only now are people finding out as DJs break out?
Glasgow’s always had a strong reputation for electronic music – there’s a real history and energy to the scene here. What makes it special is the way people in the city get behind their own. Whether it’s showing up to local nights or supporting releases, there’s a proper sense of loyalty and pride. Venues like Berkeley Suite and Sub Club play a massive role too – they’re more than just clubs, they’re spaces where DJs connect, share ideas, and grow together. Maybe people outside Glasgow are only just catching on now, but the foundation’s been strong for a long time.
Tell us about your mix, the aim you had with it, and what you wanted it to say.
Our latest mix is a blend of styles, showcasing tracks we’ve been listening to a lot recently, from a range of different artists. Some of them will be released soon on our label. We put this together to be enjoyed anywhere, whether you’re on the move or just chilling at home.
What gear did you use, is that important to you in any way whether in the booth or studio?
Most of our production is done entirely in the box – just on the laptop. We’ve got a few bits of hardware in the studio that we mess around with for fun now and then, but we find working on laptops way more convenient, especially when we’re on the move. At the moment, our go-to VSTs are ANA 2 and, of course, Serum 2 – proper staples in our setup.
When it comes to DJing, we definitely prefer a Pioneer mixer – not the biggest fans of the Xone, to be honest. Lately, we’ve also been getting some time in on turntables, so maybe keep an eye out for vinyl sets from us soon!
What are you working on for the rest of the year?
Our debut EP Heaven Sent is dropping on Carouse on July 18th – it feels like our most complete project yet. We’re incredibly proud of it and hope it connects with people the same way it did with us while creating it.
We’ve also got our biggest Scottish show to date coming up – we’ll be announcing that very soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
Outside of music, we’re putting a lot of time into our label and clothing brand Sih-Lest®️. We recently dropped the ‘Candy Floss’ Football Jersey, which sold out instantly, and we’ve got plenty more pieces in the works – so expect more drops soon.
kristan j caryl