Based in New York City, Billy "The Kid" Aukstik has played trumpet onstage and in the studio with a number of world-renowned acts including Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Budos Band, The Menahan Street Band, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Antibalas, The Sugarman 3, Mark Ronson and more. He has also appeared onstage with artists such as Erykah Badu, The Impressions, Mavis Staples, Bilal, CeeLo Green, The Roots, Chaka Khan and more. In the studio, Billy has performed on recordings by The Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, Ghostface Killah, The Menahan Street Band, Mac Miller, El Michels Affair, The Dap-Kings, BADBADNOTGOOD, EMEFE, Michael Rault and Curtis Harding, to name a few. In 2015, Billy founded his own record label, Dala Records, and has since produced and engineered debut releases from John Fatum, The Rad Trads, Michael Harlen, Patrick Sargent, Camellia Hartman, Emily Rault, Steve Garvin, Bobby Harden, Mel & Kim, Kyle Lacy, The Hook Brothers, Sweet Megg and SARASON. As a solo artist, Billy pulls from the sounds of old soul records, African rhythm and jazz theory to create a dreamy yet groovy pop sound. Growing up, Billy was surrounded by the sounds of the Beatles and The Beach Boys which now greatly influence his composition and vocal approach. The majority of Billy's records are made using an 8-track tape machine, allowing him to focus on arrangements and performance to create an extremely intimate recording that pulls listeners in.