1- What made you decide to pursue an artistic journey? What was special about the moment?
I have been involved with art for as long as I can remember. I already had a talent for painting. Although my father did not become a painter, he could draw well. He was into comic books, cartoons, and illustration. I studied at the Painting Faculty of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, which is one of the best universities in Turkey. Additionally, humor has always been a part of my life; I used to write humor pieces in my early youth. Not only humor, but I also wrote Sufism-themed movie scenarios, even though they were not shot. However, evidently, music took over. Despite being able to pursue other branches professionally, music became the most impressive one for me.
2- Which artist inspired you most to start producing music?
My father used to listen to a lot of 70s Turkish rock music, mainly by Cem Karaca, Barış Manço, Erkin Koray, Ersen ve Dadaşlar. These are some of the greatest music artists of Turkey. Thanks to them, I am familiar with the groove in a musical way. I broke my dad’s vinyl records while trying to loop one-bar loops, which I liked at the time, even though I didn’t know about sample music then.
3- What is the biggest drive behind your creative process as an artist?
Sufism. For me, music is a form of worship, a way of remembering Allah.
4- If you could describe the emotions (or transcendent meanings) you aim to fulfill with your music, what would they be? Why is this important to you?
It’s a deep and nuanced topic that I can’t quite identify. But I’m not creating music just to lose oneself; it’s about finding oneself within that loss. It’s not about losing oneself without bringing awareness. Music is inherently spiritual, even though not everyone may be aware of it. If you work hard, your music becomes your fingerprint. Don’t doubt it. If you are true to yourself, your music will reflect that. The divine is both immanent and transcendent, unknown yet known. Sometimes I hear songs in my dreams that I haven’t heard on earth. In recent years, I’ve been making music that I can’t understand how I made. It feels granted. I’ve been working on artificial intelligence and random music for many years. What seems like a coincidence is not really a coincidence. Randomness is important as it emerges from the artist’s will, but one will find that what emerges is also a reflection of oneself, in an effortless and ego-free manner. We can’t be random in morality, but we can be free from our mistakes in music, which is a blessing. We cannot escape the unity of the One. Even though I say that the human voice cannot be imitated, people’s ears may no longer discern the difference. “Reality” can never be imitated. Once, my close friend’s voice appeared in a tail of reverb effect. It wasn’t a vocal record, but it became a voice record calling me by my name. No matter how much I explain, the divine secrets are endless and insurmountable.
5- In a world filled with countless songs and artists, what mark do you wish to make with your music?
A mark that commemorates the creator of everything.
6- If you could change one thing to better the lives of artists (such as yourself), what would that be?
If you really want to make art, nothing and no one can stop you. Because it is a calling of a sort, would artists be understanding of one another?
7- Do you have any advice for young producers who just started their musical journey?
My recommendations are extensive. I always try to be useful to those who follow me. With love, Beatsunion! JonasClean (Yunus Çömlek)
