The 301st episode of our 12 Questions segment features producer Volkan Erman.
1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
I’m 27 years old. I’m living in Turkey. I have been dealing with music since 2012
2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”
I have a great interest for electronic music so far. I have been listening to electronic music since2009. My interest to electronic music start with trance music after that my interest directed to house music
3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?
I have learnt to produce works on my own. I haven’t took any education. I started this work with watching YouTube DAW programmes. Additionally I have some really good and lovely friends who are masters about this subject Stanisha , Franzis Diaz , Sonsez and Rob Walburg ,they gave me some ideas also give me great support. Their interest and relevance enlightened my music way..also I use it , Fl Studio 11.04
4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?
Actually I really enjoy until before to after. When i finish my production works I’m searching new production technics. after that I discovered new methods ,this situation makes me available to produce new music.
5. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?
I Have a little restaurant servicing. Turkish cuisine I work in my restaurant nearly 8 hours a day. Besides I study in open-university. Apart from that I’m generally with my girlfriend and making my music. I Like going to gym. and football. New technologies always attracts me. I also like watching documentaries on TV. Music is my real and strong passion!
6. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?
I listen every music that sounds good. music is global for me. I respect every kind of lavour in music. of course when I don’t listen to electronic music I generally listen chill out ambient and instrumental and eastern music. Intensively I listen to deep music like Aes Dana ,Farid Farjad, Murat Sakaryali , Mercan Dede, Loreena Mckennitt.
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc) piece of music you bought?
Tough question because I do not remember exactly but I think it was DJ TARKAN – HA PARDON. I have bought album was Soul Button – Waith EP recently.
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
I like to share and help to people.im not a stingy person really 🙂
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
I really respect to every kind of work in music.
10. Which producers consistently inspire you? And where else does your inspiration come from?
I follow for a long time DJs like a Sensient , Soul Button , Cattaneo , Digweed ,Coyu, Guy J , Petar Dundov, Cid Inc ,Nicholas Van Orton, Rick Pier O’Neil , Kosmas Epsilon ,Darin Epsilon, Aes Dana…When I listen them I’m always very impressed by their work and ideas… this has a positive influence on my new ideas production and technique….it s not easy but I never give up…I always try to develop myself quickly and in every track I feel like I want to tell a story of events that have occurred in my life…
11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?
This work involves a lot of time and patience.. Continuously monitor the last successful tracks… to observe carefully their techniques and implement it in their production of course with its new ideas and tries to develop more and be listened again and again
12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?
Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze
Volkan’s remix of Stergios ‘Obscure’ is out now on 238W, you can purchase the release: here
