One of Turkey’s most prized exports in dance music, Mahmut Orhan’s talents are now breaking through and reaching all corners of the world. His specialty lies within an exceptional knack for tapping into the rich cultures of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, sampling traditional instruments, and collaborating with artists from those regions who you wouldn’t typically find on club-focused productions.
Orhan has a momentous 2024 in store. Not only has he revealed plans for his anticipated debut album, 'Pangea'—which arrives on Ultra Records on March 22—but he also announced that he’ll be performing at Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland, and both weekends of Coachella. We had the opportunity to sit down with Orhan to discuss the new album, upcoming performances, and more.
Growing up in the town of Bursa, Turkey, Orhan first learned how to DJ when he was 21 years old. “I first started as a DJ, then realized I needed to produce to make music I can play out in my sets,” he says. Learning through the internet and his friends, he created his first original production in 2012. It wasn’t long before he garnered his first hit in 2016 with “Feel,” which Ultra Records then signed.
One of Orhan’s biggest influences is one of the most recognizable faces from the ‘90s Euro-dance scene, Dr. Alban. “His albums are very inspiring to me,” Orhan says about the Nigerian-born DJ/producer. “I love those tracks and continue to play some of them in my sets today. But more and more recently, I’ve been into ZHU.” His mention of ZHU adds up, considering the darker turn his music has taken as of late, shifting from groovy indie dance to heavier melodic techno, like his recent single, “Nighter.”
As we can hear in “Nighter” and the preceding single, “Andalusian,” Orhan music has a particularly worldly sound, molded from the music he was surrounded by as a kid. “Growing up in Turkey, I was exposed to traditional Eastern music up until a certain age,” he says. “I’ve since recalled the sounds and influences and brought them into my own music. Blending modern and traditional elements is something I love to do.”
On 'Pangea', Orhan is excited to get his debut album out into the world finally. “It’s been a two-year journey! The project has grown over time as I've traveled mostly between Turkey and the USA, having sessions with various musicians. We have artists from Turkey, Germany, USA, and more on this project. It’s a statement of my musical identity where you can find all the elements and influences I’ve collected throughout my career so far.
While Orhan has earned his stripes as a producer, he’s also risen as one of the world’s most coveted DJs, given his recent bookings at some of the biggest stages in dance music. His favorite performance, however, came at one of the smaller parties he’s played, which took place on the tropical beaches of Tulum for Bagatelle. “I was right in the middle of the crowd,” he recalls. “Everyone was vibing out and being present in the moment. People weren’t just filming the whole set on their phones—which I don’t mind by the way. But sometimes the moment is enjoyed more when phones are away, and everyone’s just dancing. When I'm immersed in the moment with the crowd, I can feel their energy and it allows me to give the best performances to suit it.”
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