Cem G chats Visionquest release

Cem G has long been a key figure in underground electronic music, shaping scenes from Istanbul to New York with his deep, groove-driven sound. Whether through his solo productions, his work as a label head at Unreleased Ltd., or his carefully curated DJ sets, he brings a sense of emotional depth and musical intuition to everything he does. His latest release on Visionquest sees him joining a roster known for pushing boundaries, further cementing his reputation as an artist with a distinctive voice. Blending elements of disco, techno, and deep house, this new release reflects Cem’s ever-evolving approach—one that’s rooted in both personal experience and a global perspective. Ahead of the release of the brilliant Calling Me Back (premiered by us here), we caught up with Cem to learn more...

Your music often feels deeply personal. Are there any specific life experiences or moments that have influenced your sound the most?

I would say daily occasions influence the momentary urge of making music. Even small things. It's a way of stabilising emotions I feel. It's an output psychologically. 

Then there are experiences and specific events or performances you see or feel. Inspiration is everywhere and you never know when it comes. I had similar experiences in Panorama Bar, Berlin and Nowadays, New York. 

You’ve spoken about your love for Turkish psychedelic rock. How do these influences manifest in your solo productions, and do you think they give your music a distinct identity?

I would not say so, I sometimes like doing Turkish edits but it's more Baris K’s thing i would say from our crew and generation. I do enjoy listening to it and it gives a certain type of inspiration. I feel disco music influenced my overall sound much more. 

You’ve been part of some iconic scenes in New York, Los Angeles, and Istanbul. How do you feel each of these cities has shaped your approach to DJing and production?

All the cities have a special place in my heart. New Yorkwas one of the best times of my life as I got to meet and share booths with incredible artists. Which shaped most of my career to follow. And in Istanbul I got to host most of them which helped shape and build the underground electronic music scene in our hometown. 

Visionquest is a label that’s always had a reputation for pushing boundaries and doing things differently. How does your new release fit into their ethos? and what kind of energy or story are you trying to bring with it?

Well Visionquest has been around and I always loved their work. Ryan and Shaun do a lovely job managing it.They are super friendly and professional. I am super happy and grateful to be a part of the fam and the history. 

Let’s talk a bit about Unreleased Ltd. How’s it been going? And how do you envision the label evolving in the next few years?

We do very few releases every year. That's why I decided to come up with a digital series. Only for Bandcamp. Untitled series. We will release tracks from friends of the label and label artists. 

With such a busy schedule, how do you balance the roles of producer, DJ, label owner, and entrepreneur?

I Dj less and less these days. Only when asked or with a friend. Managing the label and producing takes most of my time. I usually plan my week accordingly and have disciplined studio sessions. 

You’ve worked with some big names like Cesar Merveille and Ion Ludwig. Who has influenced your journey the most, and how?

Most of the artists I work with usually have an influence on me. ITs one of the reasons why I like to work with them. Feedback and seeing curtain work flows and sound designs is always inspiring. With today's tech and artists there is always room to learn and grow. 

You’ve mentioned falling in love with a track and building an EP around it. Can you tell us about a specific track that was a turning point for you creatively?

We just did UNRL 008 by Cesar Merveille. The track RS40 was just so powerful and gave me such a strong feeling that I played it in most of my sets for a period of time and I built the Ep around it. Right now this track will be the label's signature sound. Until the next EP/ Which i dont know what it will be yet. So if you're reading this feel free to send us some demos / info@unrelased.ltd.

The electronic scene in Istanbul is growing, but you’ve also noted its challenges. What do you think needs to happen to elevate it further?

The scene has new artists emerging all the time and new sounds coming with them. Its important to keep a high quality service and products in whatever genre you are doing it in. So keeping up with the standards of the dance music world is important. 

What keeps you motivated as an artist after so many years in the industry?

Music never gets old. 

When creating tracks for your live sets, how do you approach making them unique while still resonating with audiences?

It's something I am still working on. Setting up my love set has been super fun and challenging. I still don't have an official live but hopefully this or the upcoming years will break that. 

How do you measure success for yourself as an artist? Is it about personal growth, audience connection, or something else entirely? What for example, constitutes success in a release? Fan reaction? Sales? Personal opinion? 

It's peace within. If you are satisfied within and feel the need to prove anything to anyone I say that is genuine. 

I also wanted to touch on the Cem & Rg project. Where are you at with it now? And how do you and Arcan Vargi balance your individual influences while maintaining a cohesive sound?

We have put a stop to that project for some time now and went our separate ways and sounds. We still carry the sound we have built  and occasionally play and produce together. He is still my favourite DJ and a very good producer. 

Together, you performed at some iconic venues like Hoppetosse and CDV. How do those sets compare to performing solo as Cem G?

Playing with someone's always fun and inspiring. I guess playing as Cem & Rg the sets had more power in it. As we would stack the grooves on top and build up constantly. Where in my solo sets I tend to play a bit more diverse. 

What do you think makes Cem & Rg work so well as a duo? Is it your shared vision or complementary skills? What role does experimentation play in your music, both as a DJ and producer?

I love experimenting in the studio. Also confident enough to try it on my dj sets. Perhaps different mixing techniques or last min touches. Or doing unexpected mixes. 

How do you keep your sets feeling fresh and exciting after years of playing at events worldwide?

I always like to bring old or new tracks and sounds in. Sometimes try to do the unthinkable and blend disco with techno. 

Are there any dream collaborations or projects you’d like to take on in the near future?

I would love to work with artists a bit more in the techno world and focus on my new alias, Silent Raver. 

What do you want people to feel or experience when they listen to your music or see you perform?

I hope they can have a joyful and playful time. Feel relieved and inspired.

Keep up with Cem G and Unreleased Ltd. on Spotify and Instagram 

Listen to our premiere of X on Visionquest below. Buy/listen to the release here 

Listen back to Cem’s Nightclubber mix below

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