Q+A: 5 Minutes with biskuwi

Swedish producer biskuwi has been creating music for over 20 years, with appearances in numerous rock and metal bands before turning their head towards electronic music, especially deep house and techno. Along the way, the producer co-founded the Mercurial Tones Electronic Music Academy and label and set up an exceptionally helpful Youtube channel to teach rising producers about the ins and outs of music production.  biskuwi’s latest EP, Blind Man’s Labyrinth (released last week) is firmly in the deep house territory and includes the original title track as well as a remix from German producer Bebetta.

Stream / Download: Blind Man’s Labyrinth EP

Join us as we sit down for an exclusive interview with Yalcin Efe, aka “biskuwi” as they take us through their unique creative process which includes crawling under tables and diving deep into new production styles. Find it all below:

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?

It is the only way I truly know of to reflect my inner self. A healthy way to deal with myself while hoping that it also creates something that can resonate with other people, too. 

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?

It is always the idea for me. However, due to the nature of the style that I am making, sound design and track ideas are interlocked with each other. But I would never spend too much time on the sound design if I don’t have an idea already. 

Does your material feature any collaborations?

I have collab Eps/Singles that I have done with my producer friends previously. This EP also has a remix from a lovely friend Bebetta. She made a stellar remix. 

What’s on your current playlist?

Ohh, my playlists tend to be very fluid and change quite often. Right at this moment, it is a cocktail of Apparat, Bicep, David Bowie, Burial, Innellea and Wild Beasts. 

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.

Uhh, I am not really that experienced when it comes to performing live with my alias “biskuwi” as I was focusing more on my “digital” stage on Youtube and my productions. 

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?

I really try to break up conventional subtractive synthesis and try to create my own “modular” synths inside the DAW. I also enjoy making artificial drum sounds either by completely synthesizing it from scratch or by trying to modulate real drums into a completely new timbre. 

Take us through a day in the recording studio.

Ohh this is a fun one. I always start to create some ideas first thing in the morning as I feel like my mind is a bit less occupied by upcoming daily things. And oftentimes; I would save that idea for future use and do other “business” things afterwards. Like making a Youtube video, mixing mastering for other people or maybe producing sound/preset packs. Once I feel like I am tired of “business” things, I would come back to previously generated ideas and try to finish them up. Though I must say, I have a studio and a home studio so my day just continues in my home studio afterwards doing some really random stuff. 

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?

Yeah, very early actually. The first time I was playing with my toy studio and then when I was in elementary school; when I was performing on stage for the first time. I knew right there, and then, that it was the one for me. 

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?

Ableton Push. It is just so handy when you have Ableton as your centrepiece and everything evolves around it. 

Any emerging artists on your radar?

Oh, I am a bit afraid to answer this question; as I see myself as an emerging artist and don’t really want to upset any other artists. But producers like Jonas Saalbach, Bebetta, Aalson, 8KAYS, SKALA and so on. They are all coming strong. 

What gets your creative juices flowing?

Sitting under a table. I know this is a weird one but whenever I can’t create new ideas; I take my keyboard and sit under a table. And that really helps. 

Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.

I have quite a number of analog synthesizers, Moog Sub 37, Arturia Brute, Pro 1, a couple of Behringer clones, Prophet and so on. When it comes to software; my favourite synths are Diva, Pigments, Serum, Hive 2, Repro and Arturia FX. And of course, at the centre of everything my dear Ableton Live.

Any side projects you’re working on?

I am actually working on a project to create a more genreless act; where I produce from DnB to more classic house tracks. Not ready yet though. 

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?

It is a never-ending process. Music production is extremely simple and complicated at the same time. You can just use the basics and make amazing tracks or go deep into learning and also create amazing tracks. I enjoy diving deep and learning new things and therefore I always refine my craft. 

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?

A lot of new tracks. Really a lot of them, a release a month almost. I had so many tracks brewed; I am really excited to share them. 

Famous last words?

Keep producing

 

 

Follow biskuwi:

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud – TikTok – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify

By Sarah Britton