Nine years ago, Gus and Tracy released Castles. Their first collaborative project, Castles is a three-track extended play recorded in late June 2016, just weeks after the two first met and while they were living in Studio City, Los Angeles. The EP was produced entirely by their friend and frequent collaborator Nedarb, and serves as a chronological link between Crybaby and Hellboy in Gus’s discography. It also marks the beginning of Gus’s friendship and creative partnership with Tracy. In the winter of 2015-16, Gus connected online with producer Nedarb, and the two went on to create CALIFORNIA GIRLS. On May 7, 2016, while working on Crybaby, Nedarb introduced Gus to Tracy. That same day, the trio recorded “white tee” and shot its music video in the driveway of 1700 University Drive in Pasadena. Shortly after releasing Crybaby on June 10, Gus’s living situation fell through, and he moved from Pasadena to Studio City to stay with his friend Elias. He was breaking into the L.A. scene, meeting new collaborators, yet remained closely connected to Nedarb and Tracy. Castles came together over the course of a week at the end of June and beginning of July 2016. On June 28, Gus and Tracy made “white wine” and “pain,” the latter featuring a verse from their friend Slug Christ, recorded by Elias in his small apartment. That same night, they shot a music video for “white wine” in Los Angeles with videographer Wiggy. The strength of their creative chemistry was becoming clear. Two days later, they recorded the EP’s title track, “castles,” and on July 3, Gus reached out to artist wavybabe for cover art. Four hours later, the now-iconic artwork was completed and sent back. The next day, July 4, 2016, Gus and Tracy released the Castles EP. Nine years later, Castles stands as the beginning of something special. It represents the early spark of Gus and Tracy’s collaboration and serves as the first installment in a two-part story the pair would go on to tell through their music — with the sequel, CASTLES II, released in February 2017. Together, Gus and Tracy built a world their fans could relate to — one that continues to resonate with new listeners nearly a decade on. - @lilpeep