43 UMMET OZCAN
From: The Netherlands
Rising star DJ/producer of 2021: “Still waiting…”
Dutch-Turkish dance titan Ummet Ozcan used the extra time he had at home during the pandemic to write his own audio program. He hopes it will one day be as popular as his highly emotional sets, and plans to make it available to the global producer community with some first software releases in 2022.
As anyone who has seen his Instagram recently will know, Ummet also spent plenty of time working on his bulging biceps and getting his body-fat percentage somewhere close to zero. He also got a new family dog named Indy, and experimented a lot with his productions. He says he found himself switching to a more “progressive, techy yet very danceable sound”.
He has also seen the value to his mental health of slowing down a little. “I have realised that mankind is very vulnerable to worldwide threats or outbreaks. I guess it is a wake-up call. We have to change our perspective on how we handle things on our little blue planet. We can and must do better.” Amen to that.
How was your first gig back after lockdown?
“It felt so good, it’s unbelievable that we’ve been in hibernation for almost two years. Can’t wait to be back on tour.”
How have the last 18 months changed how you view your work/life balance?
“Actually, not much. To have a good balance between work and normal life has always been of importance to me.”
What further steps should the industry take to combat climate change?
“We could try to make festivals more climate neutral by using clean energy, get rid of plastic cups, recycle materials.”
What’s the best bit of tech you’ve added to your studio or DJ setup this year?
“The last gem I added to my studio gear is a candy apple red Fender Stratocaster.”
What’s the best album you’ve heard this year?
“The ‘Dune OST’ by Hans Zimmer.”