Interview: Deniz Koyu ahead of Bitch @ Mint Warehouse

After getting a taste for Yorkshire life at Mint Festival, the Bitch crew returns to Leeds on November 17th, where they'll takes over the Mint Warehouse with the help of German-Turkish DJ and producer Deniz Koyu.

Known for huge chart topping hits such as 'Tung!' and remixes for the likes of Miike Snow and James Blunt, Deniz has been turning a lot of notable heads lately - including those of Sebastian Ingrosso Axwell and Fedde le Grand - who voted him as best Breakthrough DJ/Producer in 2011.

For this event Deniz will be joined by a whole hots of Bitch favourites and regulars, including Kryder, D.O.D, Lempo and more.

Hey Deniz, you will be playing at Mint for Bitch in November. What are your experiences of playing in the UK in the past?
My experience of playing in the UK has always been amazing so far. I played from small intimate clubs to VIP clubs up to Ministry Of Sound London, but it was always super fun. You guys seem to know how to party!

What’s the story of how you ended up making dance music?
First I learnt to play the piano when I was a kid. Then later I got fascinated by the world of synthesisers and music programs, and I had a passion for being creative at the computer. This eventually led me into experimenting with electronic music, and house music quickly became my favourite genre.

Who were the artists that shaped who you are today?
Daft Punk, Michael Jackson, Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk in my young teenage years, then later I got into the really early stuff of Axwell, Eric Prydz, Trentemøller and more.

You’ve definitely hit world stage at the right time with the EDM surge, which you’re no doubt a part of. How does it feel to see dance music blow up in such a big way?
It's awesome to see the huge commercial success of dance music as a worldwide phenomenon right now. But to be honest I totally wouldn't care if that wasn't the case and dance music would not be mass compatible, not crossover into radio, and remain in the clubs only. I make this music 'cos I truly love it, not for the reason of commercial success in that sense.

One track you’re very likely to play at Bitch?
I guess that has to be 'Bong'! (laughs)

If we were the have a look around in your studio, what would we find?
At the beginning of this year I started working at Fedde Le Grand's Flamingo HQ as he offered me his second studio room which is a really high-end workplace. It features a fully isolated room-in-room design with huge custom built speakers and perfect acoustics. Apart from that all the hardware I use is a fast PC machine, a big master keyboard and one Virus TI. However, I made all my tracks from 2011 including 'Tung!', 'Hertz' and my remix of James Blunt 'Dangerous' with Johan Wedel in my old small and crappy home studio inside my apartment. So it really is not necessary to have any fancy equipment to make great music and a fat sound. Just make sure you get some decent speakers and your room acoustics are not too bad. Then again I know from a lot of great producers that they do 90% of their work just on a laptop with headphones, so in the end it only comes down to experience and practicing.

What do you have lined up for the rest of 2012?
I did a collab together with Dirty South which hopefully gets released when the timing goes right. And gig wise, I have a lot of really exciting shows coming up towards the end of the year like XS Vegas with Tiesto, Mysteryland Chile or Palladium in LA with Dirty South and Arty to name a few.

What does it take to make it as a dance music DJ/producer in 2012?
A laptop, some basic music software, a certain amount of talent and the enthusiasm and passion to spend at least eight hours a day at the computer to learn all the tricks and techniques of modern music production.

Where’s your favourite place on earth and why?
That is a tough question as there are so many great places on earth, but one of my favourites is Rio De Janeiro. It's a paradise on earth and really beautiful. If I had time for vacation now that would be my first choice.

If you had to go a week without either the internet or your phone which would it be?
Of course without my phone. With the Internet I can still do Skype calls! (laughs)

Ibiza or Miami?
Miami to Ibiza.

Catch Deniz Koyu at Mint Warehouse for Bitch on November 17th. Tickets are available below.

Tickets are no longer available for this event