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 His name might not sound it but Ummet Ozcan is another Dutch born electronic music maestro with a knack for pumping out quality productions. He's due to play his first Technoclub event for Talla 2XLC's birthday next weekend so we went for a word...
Easily one of the most talented and hard working producing Dj’s from The Lowlands. Ummet Ozcan was born in 1982 in the centre of Holland. At the age of 14, inspired by both Eastern and Western cultures (his parents are from Turkey), he starts to experiment with making music in his little home studio. Laying the foundation for his successful productions in the years to come. From his very first one, Ummet forged an energetic, ground-breaking style for dance -- a dense rhythmic pattern of samples and heavy drum loops , often with a repetitive chanted chorus forming the only vocals.
From his relatively humble beginnings producing simple but infectious dance tunes to his more recent sophisticated Club Tech Floor fillers, he has crafted some of the most innovative yet accessible electronic music. In 2001, Ummet released the import-only ‘Pump this Party‘ after a collaboration with The Sunclub (Fiësta, Summerjam 2003), a single that despite its limited release, earned Ummet first credits in global dance music.
Here Ummet’s DJ career begins with playing house music and techno at local parties. Gaining a lot of respect playing his unreleased stuff he decides to professionalize his ambitions by putting more efforts in getting record deals . This results in a nowadays global recognition of his producing and Dj talent. For instance the single ‘Chica good’ (2006/Adult Records) dominated the world dance charts (both download and sales) for quite a long time. Showing up in many famous Dj shortlists like Marco V, John Digweed and others.
‘Natural Waves’ recorded as Ummet Ozcan and issued at the beginning of 2007 via the label Work Hard Play Hard, has already proven to be a global Dj favourite.
Now, he prepares for another landmark in his evolving career by taking on the Technoclub for Talla 2XLC's birthday next weekend. It's also the launch party for the next Technoclub compilation which Ummet has mixed along with Talla. We felt the need to catch up with Ummet before he steps inside Germany’s legendary DJ booth.
i:Vibes: You will be making your debut in the Technoclub for the birthday of Talla 2XLC. What would be the perfect birthday present for Talla 2XLC?
Ummet: Well, maybe that I am making my Tecnhoclub debut on his birthday? :-) No just kidding, I think he would love a nice new Ferrari?
i:Vibes: What do you know about the legendary Technoclub that has been open since 1984?
Ummet: What I know is that Technoclub is THE biggest Trance/Techno compilation available in Germany, ...... And that the club is most famous for the big Dj’s that have played there.. Even in The Netherlands people have heard about Technoclub. So it’s a big honor!
i:Vibes: When do you remember the first time that you heard the name Talla 2XLC? How important has he been for electronic music?
Ummet: I came across the name Talla2xlc just 3 years ago, when I made my own edit of his track: No in between
As one of the earliest EDM producers he has contributed much to the music industry, the name Technoclub says more than enough.
i:Vibes: How would a Talla 2XLC/Ummet Ozcan track sound like?
Ummet: Most possibly it will sound very techy and melodic! It would create a great atmosphere.
i:Vibes: How excited are you about playing in the Technoclub? What kind of DJ set can we await from you?
Ummet: I'm really looking forward to play at Technoclub for several reasons; I will play on Talla's birthday and the release party for the new Techno Club CD! And the fact that this is my very first gig in Germany! So it’s really exciting!
My set will be a typical Ozcan set, what most fans probably will expect.
i:Vibes: How would you describe your sound? How is your sound unique? There are many DJs that have that hard sound, but not all are like you?
Ummet: I really like to combine elements from different styles and I always shape and create my own sounds for my tracks. The fact that I am a sound designer, gives me the option to make more original sounds and therefore more unique tracks, I believe this plays a big role.
i:Vibes: You have a Turkish name, but live in Holland. What was your childhood like and how did you en dup in Holland?
Ummet: My parents are from Turkey, but they moved to Holland more than 35 years ago. I was born and grown up in Holland, so I enjoy the best of both cultures!.
i:Vibes: Who were your early musical inspirations?
Ummet: I was inspired by lots of artists in my young ages; I liked all kind of styles, from good old eighties and nineties hits, to more obscure stuff like Kraftwerk. Even Madonna was untouchable by that day and that made me realize that the impact of music can be really huge.
i:Vibes: When did you know that you wanted to be involved with electronic dance music?
Ummet: Probably on my eighth birthday when I got my first Casio keyboard! It brought me a lot fun and that’s why I am doing what I’m doing.
i:Vibes: You developed your own synthesizer and called it Genesis. What makes this synthesizer more special than other hardware out there?
Ummet: Genesis is my first synth project, although it sounds very good and comes close to hardware synths it's still a kind of prototype for what is to come. Right now I'm busy with programming my new virtual synthesizer '' Genesis Pro'' . This Pro edition comes with lots of cool features and an unprecedented sound quality for software synthesizers.
i:Vibes: How has your sound developed since "Pump the party"?
Ummet: Well every new production should be better than the one before, so I guess it’s always a matter of improving and getting deeper into the technical side of things. When I hear really old stuff from myself it makes me laugh but still it contributed to my skills and styles nowadays.
i:Vibes: "Time wave zero" already seems like a classic track. What was the most difficult thing that you had to do to get that track perfect in the studio?
Ummet: To be honest, I never had a difficult moment while producing this track. Timewave Zero is one of those tracks that flow out so effortlessly. The formula for this track is: Less is more.
i:Vibes: "Shamballa" is another incredible track that you produced. Do you have a certain way how you work in the studio or does it vary from track to track how a track is made by you?
Ummet: Well at first I need inspiration. I like to get inspired by all kinds of supernatural stuff, or ancient elements. I believe there is much more than we know right now and this makes me think. Every new song is a kind of mind trip.
i:Vibes: You produced Forza as MEM which was featured on the 2010 Vonyc Sessions by Paul van Dyk. Is MEM musically different than a Ozcan production or were you too lazy to use your own name in this?
Ummet: No, MEM is actually a good friend of mine who is also a DJ and producer who's already played several major dance events like Dance Valley, some Mem tracks are produced in co-op with me like Forza and More Than Feelings.
i:Vibes: What productions can we await from you in 2011?
Ummet: Well I am working on a lot of new stuff. You will be really surprised! I’d like to experiment and fur sure there will be some great tracks with experimental ingredients. It’s important to evolve
i:Vibes: With what producer would you like to be locked away in the studio for 24 hours?
Ummet: Maybe you don't expect this, but I like to get inspiration from a different angle like: Hans Zimmer.
i:Vibes: What is your overall impression of the German trance scene? What artists do you respect and like?
Ummet: I guess the Germans have invented that sound and style and that’s great! A lot of cool artists like Paul van Dyk, Cosmic Gate, Jam & Spoon where incredibly important for the popularity and the success of the trance scene in general. Btw, recently I was in touch with Jam (Rolf Elmer) who complimented me with my synth. That means very much to me to hear that from such a great producer. Just play The Age of love once more and you will know exactly what I mean It was 1992! Can you imagine?
i:Vibes: What are your current five favorite tracks?
Ummet: In Random Order:
Orjan Nilsen - Go Fast
W&W - Impact
Markus Schulz Presents Dakota - Sinners (Original Mix)
Norin & Rad vs. Recurve - The Gift (Original Mix)
Dj Governor - Pale Memories (Original Mix)
i:Vibes: What are your all-time favorite tracks?
Ummet: I guess it must be The Age of Love by Jam and Spoon. I don’t have anything else that comes close… well maybe Faithless did not do such a bad job with Insomnia too. It gives me the shivers.
i:Vibes: If you were to DJ a last time somewhere on earth, with what track would you finish your last DJ set with?
Ummet: I will probably make my own remix of ''The Doors - This is the end'' : )
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