From a shared love of UK bass music to a burning passion for breaking barriers in Tallinn’s nightlife scene, the founders of Brickston Studios are on a mission to revolutionize how Estonians connect with music. Born from a desire to give aspiring DJs a space to hone their skills without the usual hurdles, this self-service studio is more than just a room with decks—it’s a movement. With roots in London’s iconic Brixton and Estonia’s underground club culture, Brickston Studios is bringing club-standard equipment, 24/7 accessibility, and a whole new attitude to Tallinn.
Where did the idea to open Brickston Studios come from?
John: I used to use a similar service when I lived in the UK a lot, after I moved to Tallinn I realised that something similar didn’t really exist. Sure, there are studios that offer the chance to play on their equipment, but nothing that felt as easy to use for the customer as the service I used back in England. After meeting Andres playing at demoClub, we got chatting and realised that we both shared a passion for trying to recreate something similar in Tallinn. We were both excited by the idea of giving people here the chance to practice on club-standard tech, in an affordable studio space that was dead easy to book.
Andres: It was John’s idea to do something like this, he just took me along for the ride. I went to him with an idea for a business and a day later he pitched his. The story about how we came up with the name is quite funny to me, as John gifted me and my brother an amazing book called Live at the Brixton academy by Simon Parkles (highly recommended for anyone interested in nightlife). And he actually used to live in the Brixton part of London for a while, and I told him about the similarities between Telliskivi of Tallinn and Brixton of London, and originally we were hoping to begin our business in that area, but that didn’t happen, but we still stuck with the name.
Slin: I wasn’t directly involved in creating the concept, but Andres told me about the idea months before opening. It was intriguing, and I knew straight away I wanted to be part of it. I can’t really explain the feeling, it just clicked.
You’re an international group—John, you’re from the UK; Slin has traveled and performed worldwide; and Andres is a proud representative of Estonia. How did you all meet?
Andres: I met John because he was dating a good friend of mine at the time. I met Nils, aka Slin, through demoClub, where I fell in love with his bass-heavy Dubshack events. We all share a passion for the UK electronic music scene—Garage, Dubstep, Bassline—you name it.
John: Andres and I met at demoClub. I’d just moved to Tallinn, and he and his brother took me under their wing. They gave me some of my first gigs in the city, and we bonded over our shared love of UK music.
Slin: Yep, demoClub is what brought us all together!
How did DJing find its way into your lives?
John: I’ve been fascinated by music and DJing since I was a kid. I’ve always loved the tech and techniques behind it. But since getting started can be expensive, I didn’t try DJing until my 20s. That’s when I began building sets, learning to mix, and improving my skills. Thankfully, technology has made it easier for people to get started now—just a simple controller and laptop can do the job.
Andres: My first gig was at the final demoClub event, and my second was at HALL’s NYE event in 2023, which was wild. I realized DJing is fun as long as the crowd is dancing and enjoying it. Skill level doesn’t matter as much as good vibes.
Slin: My DJing journey began in 2004 when I was 14. A friend heard jungle music blasting from my room and invited me to try spinning vinyl records at his place. The next day, I bought my first record—Adam F feat. Beenie Man’s Dirty Harry’s Revenge Remixes—and I’ve been hooked ever since. Mixing vinyl taught me so much, and I’d recommend everyone give it a try.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when opening the studio?
Andres: Finding the right space was tough. We needed somewhere that wouldn’t mind the sound. That process proved there’s a real demand for this kind of business in Estonia. We were lucky to be offered a space by Venus Lim at House 10. The second challenge was installing the smart locks—it turns out doing anything in Tallinn’s Old Town is a nightmare! But after four months, we finally got it sorted.
John: Space was definitely the hardest part. Landlords were skeptical—they worried we’d be noisy. But we’re all about skill and talent development, not driving neighbors crazy. Overall, the hardest part has been taking an idea from blueprint to reality. We bootstrapped everything—building the studio, designing the website, growing our social presence. It’s been tough, but incredibly rewarding.
Now that you’ve been open for over a month, how has the feedback been?
Andres: The feedback has been amazing! Some clients even reached out to thank us for being open during the holidays. People have suggested small improvements—like adding phone stands or extra outlets—and we’re already working on them. What we didn’t anticipate was our LED controller burning out, but we’re upgrading the lighting soon.
John: The support has been overwhelming. Customers have been so positive about what we’ve built and what it means to have such an accessible studio. It’s incredibly encouraging.
Slin: The feedback has been amazing. People love the accessibility, and also the way the studio looks and feels (I think it’s quite cozy). And in general, things have been running pretty smoothly.
Many clubs have closed in the past year, including Hall and Sveta. How do you feel about the party scene in Estonia right now, especially since most DJs rely on clubs to play?
Andres: For those who don’t know, I used to be part of the demoClub crew, and we actually ran a proper underground nightclub for one season—it was set to be demolished anyway, hence the name. Before that, my introduction to Tallinn’s nightlife was ULM, where I met some truly incredible people. But to keep it short, the challenges in nightlife boil down to two main issues: the economy and drugs. The combination has been devastating for clubs all over Europe, not just Estonia. Running a nightclub is incredibly tough; the main source of revenue is the bar. With the economy struggling, people have less money to spend at the bar, while costs keep climbing. So, the more “economic” solution for many is to drink at home or take drugs and only pay the entry fee. Sadly, this pattern has forced many clubs to shut down.
John: I don’t have the same experience Andres does in the local scene, but I think this is a universal issue many cities are facing. Economic pressures, changing social trends, gentrification, and stricter licensing are all factors working against nightclubs. It’s tough out there, and it’s worrying because nightlife supports not just a financial ecosystem but also a cultural one. Losing it puts both at risk.
Slin: To be honest, I haven’t kept a close eye on the party scene recently, especially after becoming a father. However, I can imagine that the closures of clubs have had an impact on many DJs who relied on those spaces. The scene is definitely going through a shift, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves.
DJing has been very popular in recent years, especially since COVID. Are you worried that a new trend might emerge and people could lose interest?
Andres: Not really. Social media plays such a huge role in popularizing DJing, and it’s not going away. Take Fred again, for example—his Boiler Room set blew up after it was uploaded to YouTube, making him a household name. Social media has the power to spotlight hidden talents overnight, and who knows? The next big thing might be a 16-year-old Estonian producer working in their bedroom right now.
John: Not at all. DJs play because they love music, and people listen for the same reason. There’s something magical about connecting with a DJ on the dancefloor. It’s a feel-good escape, and in today’s world, we need more of that, not less.
Slin: I reckon it’s something that will be around forever. As Elijah Butterz put it: “If you love music, you should learn how to DJ.
The UK has a strong club and party scene, which Estonia doesn’t yet have. Do you think Brickston can influence the scene here?
Andres: The UK had the benefit of avoiding Soviet occupation, which stunted cultural growth in Estonia for decades. That said, the Estonian scene is small but passionate. However, a lot of people are burned out and need support now more than ever. Brickston can definitely influence the scene by removing barriers for those who want to start DJing. I remember one time at demoClub, around 8 a.m., when a girl wanted to play using her USB stick. She was smiling and waving it around, but we were all dead tired and just wanted to sleep. Now, people like her can book the studio and get their fix while I catch some rest!
John: I don’t think comparing Estonia to the UK is entirely fair—the UK scene operates on a much larger scale. But what excites me about Estonia is how much easier it is for new talent to break through and share what they’re passionate about. The scene here has the potential to be incredibly diverse and creative. While our influence is limited right now, I hope Brickston can become a space that inspires and supports the local scene.
There are a few other places to DJ in Tallinn. What sets Brickston apart?
Andres: Affordability, privacy, and ease of use. Our self-service model allows customers to access the studio 24/7. You just book a time online, and you’re in. No staff, no hassle—just an intimate space where you can vibe alone or with friends.
John: It’s the way we’ve shaped our service. By keeping it affordable, accessible, and entirely self-service, we’re removing barriers for people who are curious about DJing but may not have felt comfortable trying it elsewhere. It doesn’t matter what you want to play or how you want to play it—our studio is a space where you can express yourself freely.
You’re currently the only place in Estonia where people can formally study DJing. What inspired you to start teaching as well?
Andres: Well, we’re not the only place, but I’d say we’re the easiest to access. Anyone interested in lessons can easily book a session with our tutor, who’s incredibly experienced. One of his first clients said they learned more in an hour at Brickston than in an entire DJ school course, which made us really happy.
Slin: I’d thought about teaching before but never had the right platform. Thanks to Andres and John, I now do. The first couple of sessions were kind of challenging, and I was a bit nervous, but that’s all part of stepping out of the comfort zone, right?
Would you ever consider partnering with high schools or universities to expand on a larger scale? A course like “DJing 101” at university sounds pretty cool!
Andres: Absolutely. This is something we’re actively exploring, not just with high schools and universities but also with primary schools. We want to offer kids a fun after-school activity that keeps them out of trouble and introduces them to electronic music without the high cost of entry.
John: Yeah, 100%, the kids are the future!
Do you plan to stay focused solely on the DJ world, or do you see yourselves expanding into other areas in the future?
Andres: As the meme goes, “Big things coming soon.”
John: Without revealing too much, we’re eager to expand the business. There’s a lot we’d like to explore, and given the opportunity, we’ll dive right in.
You recently threw a party to celebrate your opening. How did it go?
Andres: Considering the date—December 20th—it went really well. My favorite part was interacting with customers and DJs, hearing their thoughts and ideas. Despite the temporary hardships Estonia’s nightlife scene faces, the future looks bright with people like these leading the charge.
John: All things considered, it was a solid first event to announce our opening. We showcased six amazing local DJs with diverse sounds, got a decent turnout, and everyone seemed to have a great time. The energy was exactly what I hoped for.
Would you like to make Brickston parties a regular thing?
Andres: Definitely. We have a strong network of young talent with DJ experience, plus a steady flow of newcomers eager to perform in a club setting. These events are a great opportunity for them to try out performing in front of a crowd. Follow us on social media to stay updated on future events!
John: Absolutely. Andres summed it up well—we’re regularly meeting ambitious young DJs with loads of talent, and we’ve built the connections to throw these kinds of events. If there’s an audience interested in hearing a diverse mix of music, why not?
What are your goals for the parties? Would you like them to be a platform for Brickston students to showcase their skills?
Andres: For me, the goal is to create a community of like-minded, passionate people who support one another—attending events, sharing music, offering feedback, and trading tips. I’d love to provide our clients with a consistent platform to perform at venues, without the financial risk of renting out a club themselves. We aim to break down the barriers that keep passionate people from starting their journey into nightlife.
John: It’s partly about providing a platform and partly about planting a nightlife flag in the local scene. We’re here because this is our passion, and I think that drive allows us to keep offering something unique. We want Brickston to be a reliable stage for local talent and a go-to destination for people with diverse tastes.
And finally, where do you see Brickston Studios in five years?
John: For me, the sky’s the limit. I’ve got ideas about how Brickston could branch out, and I’d love to look back in five years and see the influence we’ve had here in Estonia—helping people develop their skills, find creative outlets, and perform for local audiences.
Andres: Five years feels like a long time, but by 2030, I hope Brickston has built a network of studios across the country.
Slin: Running studios in other countries.
Author: Lennart Aavik
Pictures: Jürgen Aas
