Alp Kargören chats new release, Control

Alp Kargören’s path into electronic music wasn’t driven by escape—it was built on structure. Balancing a demanding 9-to-5 role in digital marketing with night-time studio rituals, his creative process is sharpened by the discipline of daily deadlines. This duality—corporate rigour by day, dancefloor devotion by night—has become the foundation of his evolving sound, a tightly woven blend of minimal, deep-tech, and house that’s earned him chart spots and label signings across Europe. His debut EP Choices broke into Beatport’s Top 10, setting the tone for a string of releases with Taika, NoPreset, and Strange Stories. But beyond the numbers, Alp’s story is one of persistence—stepping into the studio daily, finding grooves in the quiet, and dreaming up dancefloor moments from a laptop in Istanbul. As his new EP drops and collaborations with figures like Ben Rau and Fatzo shape his future, Alp isn’t just riding the wave—he’s building something long-term, track by track. We checked in to learn more...

What does a typical day look like for you juggling your 9-5 job and studio sessions – how do you carve out space to stay creative?

In my daily life, I’m working as a sales head at a digital marketing company. I’m at my office desk by around 10 am, usually finishing around 6 pm. I carve out studio time in two ways: short night sessions (10 pm –01 am) for sketching ideas, then longer deep-dive blocks on weekends. It’s a strict rhythm, no social distractions during studio hours.

Do you ever find that your work life bleeds into your music, or are they strictly separate worlds?

Surprisingly, yes. The structure of my 10-6 forces me to be ultra-focused when I produce. As a salesperson, deadlines at work taught me efficient decision-making in the studio. I still switch hats mentally, but that discipline comes from my day job.

What kind of mental shift do you have to make when you transition from the structure of the day job to the freedom of making music?

My day job’s pace and workload are intense. After I get home, eat dinner, and have some family time, If I haven’t made it to the studio that day, I feel guilty the next morning. To break this cycle, I’ve built a habit over time: I step into the studio every day, even if it’s just a small step, so I can say ‘I did my best today.’ This way, I silence that guilt and keep my creativity alive.

What is the scene like in Istanbul right now? What excites you about it, and what worries you?

Istanbul is a huge metropolis, which means it can host countless events, festivals and artists across many genres can find their audience here. That breadth is both an opportunity and a source of fierce competition. My own corner, House and Minimal/Deep-Tech, is still growing, but I’ve been thrilled to see its listener base steadily expanding. My goal is to build that scene at home and then take it abroad, sharing stages with the industry’s leading names. What worries me is that, because these genres sit outside the mainstream, there are times when booking gigs or reaching broader audiences feels challenging. I’m hopeful that soon I’ll forge collaborations that amplify my music and bring it to more ears.

Do you feel like there’s enough support or infrastructure in Istanbul for underground  electronic artists to thrive?

Yes! There are plenty of options in Istanbul, from well-equipped studios to intimate nightclubs and dedicated underground events. Networking remains key: reaching out and collaborating with the right people helps you refine your sound and bring your productions to new listeners. That said, I’d love to see even more support in promotions and international connections to fully unlock our scene’s potential.

Who were the first artists or DJs that really made you want to produce your own music?

That’s a tough one. Music’s been in my blood since childhood, thanks to my parents’ playlists blasting at home. The real spark came in 2006 when I discovered Tiësto’s Club Life podcasts, his flawless mixing and uplifting trance hooked me instantly. By college, I was attending Istanbul’s electronic events and dreaming of standing in the booth myself. In 2015, I finally learned to DJ and, during the pandemic, dove into production, culminating in my debut single ‘Hooked’ after three years of late-night studio sessions.

Which producers are inspiring you currently, whether musically or in terms of how they navigate the scene?

Right now, Chris Stussy tops my list. His musical evolution and where he is today are a constant source of inspiration and motivation. I’m also inspired by Ben Rau and the Oden & Fatzo duo for their forward-thinking productions and community-driven approach. Kolter’s deep, driving grooves, Traumer’s raw energy, and East End Dubs’ dynamic soundscapes all push me to refine my own sound. Each of these artists shows me different ways to grow both creatively and professionally in this scene.

Minimal and tech seem to be at the core of your sound. What is it about those genres that speaks to you so deeply?

I believe I’ve explored nearly every corner of electronic music, but back in 2021, when I started a residency at a local bar, I felt the need to lighten my set—so I moved toward deep house, old-school house, and tech house. Over time, my palette naturally converged on minimal/deep-tech. It captures the groove and soul of house while channeling techno’s hypnotic energy. That perfect balance is exactly where I find the most joy in production, so I decided to make it the core of my sound.

How do you think your relationship with those sounds has evolved over time?

My connection to minimal and deep-tech has grown from casual appreciation to genuine obsession. Early on, I sampled grooves and textures I loved; now I’m diving deeper into sound design, sculpting every element to serve a specific atmosphere. What began as playing others’ tracks has evolved into crafting my own sonic signature within those genres. 

Your track hitting Beatport’s top 10 must’ve been a real moment – what did that recognition mean to you?

‍Hitting #4 on Beatport’s Top 100 Deep House and #5 on the Minimal/Deeptech chart with my debut EP Choices was surreal. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. Now, my goal isn’t just to reach those peaks again, but to stay there and I’m working hard every day to make that happen.

Was there a turning point where you started making music more for others than yourself – or is it still just about expressing your own ideas?

It’s always been about my own vision first. I need to love a track before I expect anyone else to. That mindset sometimes veers into perfectionism and delays releases. It took me a while to realize that finishing and sharing a track matters more than endlessly chasing ‘perfect.’ Now, I drop what excites me and leave the rest on the shelf.

How does a track typically start for you – is there a consistent process or do you just follow the feeling?
I usually begin by sketching out the drum pattern, dialing in the groove first. Once that backbone is solid, I layer in bass, then add vocal or lead synth elements, and finally build out the supporting textures and effects.

How much time do you typically spend on a track before you feel it’s ready to release?

I typically spend around a month polishing a track before it’s release-ready. Lately, I’m challenging myself to shorten that process, finishing songs quicker while still feeling fully satisfied with the result.

You’ve got a strong run of releases behind you already – what are your long-term goals in music?

In the next few years I aim to establish myself as an independent artist touring internationally running my own imprint mentoring emerging producers and of course crafting that breakthrough track that resonates across dance floors worldwide.

When you’re in a creative rut, what helps pull you out of it?

When I hit a creative rut, I switch genres—sometimes I’ll put on Turkish rock legends like Erkin Koray, Barış Manço, or Cem Karaca to spark new ideas. If that doesn’t do the trick, I dive back into minimal and deep-tech between my favorite producers. And if I’m still stuck, I give myself some space—stepping away for a bit often brings fresh perspective.

Tell us about the new EP. What ideas or moods were you exploring across the tracks?

My new EP is a tale of two worlds. On ‘Feel It,’ imagine golden sunlight spilling through palm leaves—its warm, summery breeze invites you in before a powerful, groovy bassline sweeps you out onto the dance floor.

Then comes ‘Control,’ where twilight descends and shadows dance in hypnotic patterns; its moody textures pull you deep into the groove, while a driving low end ignites emotional energy that keeps the beat alive.

‘Control’, the track we’re premiering, has a real hypnotic edge – what’s the story behind it?

In creating ‘Control,’ the Dojo community and Ben Rau played pivotal roles. Ben shared MIDI files from his own track and challenged us to build something unique. I designed euphoric pads, crafted an acidic synth lead, and layered in vocal samples—transforming the blueprint into ‘Control’s’ hypnotic journey. After that, I sent the draft back to Ben for feedback and refined it with his notes. His support not only made me incredibly happy but also motivated me to release the track. Big thanks to Ben and the Dojo team for making it happen!

You’ve released on labels like Taika, NoPreset, Hang On Music, Strange Stories and Podvodo, how do you choose where to place your music?
I usually target labels whose sound I respect—if a producer I admire has released there, I send them my demos. When they say yes, I know it’s the right home. I also consider labels run by friends or contacts who reach out; if I’ve enjoyed their past releases and our tastes align, I don’t hesitate to team up.

You also flipped Kelis’ ‘Milkshake’ into something really fresh – how did that remix come about?

The ‘Milkshake’ remix was born out of another Dojo contest. Fatzo (William) invited us to jam on the original vocals and see what we could create. I reimagined the groove with my own flair, driving basslines and funk-infused elements, turning it into something fresh. I’m thrilled with the result, and watching it light up the dance floor during my sets has been the icing on the cake!

What does success a few years down the line look like to you?

To me, success means making a living from music and moving crowds with my own tracks, a childhood dream in progress. Every step closer is a win. Having already shared 12 songs with the world, and with new tracks in the works, I’m more driven than ever to keep creating and see where this journey takes me.

Keep up with Alp Kargören on Soundcloud and Instagram

Buy/listen to the release here