Turkish natives Oguzhan Guzelderen and Gizem Sevik have been making huge waves in Turkey. The production duo have been busy into the studio, cooking lots of new music, which includes an upcoming album and a vast number of single releases on labels such as Digital Empire Records.
Oguzhan Guzelderen is one of the most famous names to grace the decks in Turkey. The DJ has been found warming crowds at some of the most renowned clubs in the area, including the likes of: Andromeda, Reina, Sortie, Inferno, Kristall, Bodrum Halikarnas and Antalya Club Ally. Oguzhan is the go to guy when it comes to supporting some of the biggest names in the industry and has been located sharing stages with names like: Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, David Vendetta, Outwork, Fedde le Grand, Royal Gigolos, Benny Benassi, Sak Noel and Chris Montana to name a few.
Versatile singer and songwriter Gizem Sevik is no stranger to the Dance music scene. After training as a Pop and Jazz singer, she entered the scene in 2011 and has been touring with Oguzhan Guzelderen, showcasing her immeasurable talent around A-list clubs in Turkey, whilst aiming to become one of her country’s best EDM exports. The mix of Gizem’s unqiue voice and Oguzhan’s intricate productions make a match made in heaven.
We caught up with Oguzhan and Gizem to talk about all things music.
Hi Guys, thanks for taking time to talk to us. To get things started, which part of the world do you call home?
Oguz: The Studio!
Gizem: Antalya in Turkey, but with age I’ve released that home to me is where I am free to sing, have fun and be loved.
How did you both become a duo?
We came together in 2011 and decided to collaborate on a project together. The project was extremely successful so we decided to continue writing and producing tracks together. We cannot wait to share more of our music with you.
Tell us how you both became involved in the Dance music industry and the journey you have embarked on. Why did you decide to become artists?
Oguz: I have been really lucky and have planned in all of the biggest clubs in Turkey and I’ve had the chance to share the stage with some of the world’s most famous DJ’s too. While playing with these DJ’s and listening to their music, I became extremely impressed with their productions and performances. It filled me full of inspiration and I quickly decided that I wanted to pursue a career as a DJ and producer. I started going to the studio and I wanted to create my own sound because I feel it is important to stay true to yourself and not copy other people. I then met my wife Gizem and we have been producing music ever since!
Gizem: My career began as a student, studying Jazz music at college for 3 years. I had a very supportive family and I began singing with major bands in Turkey. During these times I was listening to underground and electronic music. My friends were also going to clubs that were playing these genres of music at the weekends. I then came together with Oguzhan for a project I had in mind and since then we have been producing music together. I have always been a fan of singers who write their own songs, so I practiced lots and now I am writing my own material. We have loads of new music that we cannot wait to share with you all!
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Oguz: Sharing the stage with Tiesto at the club I played as a resident DJ. To this day I am so proud of being apart of that special night. My remixes also get supported by a lot of Turkish DJ’s and DJ’s from other, which also makes me extremely proud.
When did you first fall in love with in music?
Oguz: My love of music began when I dad gave me instruments as gifts. Around this time there were only popular genres of music so when I heard new sounds, I treasured them. Then computers and technology started to evolve – now you only need a pair of monitors and a computer to make top quality productions!
Gizem: I remember when I was five years old, I received a lot of records for my birthday. I used to spend all my time beside the record player listening to the records and dreaming of wanting to become a singer.
What are your favourite genres?
EDM and chilled electronic.
Has your sound developed and changed over the years?
Oguz: Over time, I believe that I have improved my production, mixing and mastering skills. I have developed my own sounds and have moved away from using pre-made presets. Now I feel more creative and free when I am producing.
Who were your early influences and the key people who you looked up to musically?
Oguz: To be honest, I wasn’t really inspired by anyone in particular but if I had to choose someone it would be David Guetta. I am extremely interested in the technical side of his productions.
Gizem: Barbra Streisand and Madonna. I have always been and still am extremely fascinated with them.
Tell us about your production set up and your favourite equipment to use.
Oguz: Ableton (for the drums), Logic 9 (for mastering), Personus Studio (for vocal recording), Native Instruments plugins, Nexus 2, Sylenth, Camel Audio plugins, FabFilter plugins and LFO Tools.
Gizem: I love using vocoders in my live shows!
What are your plans for 2016?
Hear our music on radio, perform at festivals worldwide and grow our fan base.
Where would you like to see yourself in the months ahead?
Oguz: I would like to see myself becoming a worldwide brand.
Gizem: I would like to see myself collaborating with the biggest producers in the world.
What is your all time favourite track?
Oguz: ‘World Is Mine’
Gizem: There are so many brilliant tracks that it is unfair to choose one, but if I had to choose one it would be between David Guetta’s ‘Titanium’ and Everything But The Girl’s ‘Missing’.
And finally, who were your favourite DJ’s of 2015?
DJ Snake, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, David Guetta, Ummet Ozcan, Major Lazer, Avicii and Martin Garrix. They are definitely at the forefront of the scene and each of them had a huge 2015!
Oguzhan Guzelderen Online
https://www.facebook.com/OguzhanGuzelderen
https://twitter.com/oguzhanguzelder
https://soundcloud.com/oguzhanguzelderen-1
https://www.instagram.com/oguzhanguzelderen
Gizem Sevik Online
https://www.facebook.com/GİZEM-SEVİK
https://twitter.com/SevikGizem
https://soundcloud.com/gizem-sevik
https://www.instagram.com/gizemsevik
