We weren’t kidding when we said August was going to be an exciting month.
Photo via Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur
Turkish Dutch DJ Ummet Ozcan who first gained recognition in 2011 with his #1 hit “Reboot” made his way back to Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur on August 15th (Friday). The 32-year-old DJ who has collaborated with names like Paul van Dyk, R3hab, Nervo and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike put on an unprecedented show at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur before flying off for Dreamfields Festival in Bali the following morning.
Injecting the room with his most popular tracks as well as his unique big room house mix with progressive and electro house, Ummet Ozcan had the raving mob raging to every beat. Apart from dancing the night away, clubbers that night also sang the Birthday Song to Ummet Ozcan which made everyone’s night even more special.
Of course, we managed to get a chance to chat with Ummet Ozcan before all the awesomeness took place. Here’s what the super charming DJ had to say:
Q: Your track “Raise Your Hands” hit #1 on Beat Port. What inspired you to produce this track — is there a story behind it?
Well, there’s no particular story behind it but you know every track I make is always different and I always get inspired by anything and well, everything. Haha. So when I think back to “Raise Your Hands”, I don’t know, really. The melody just popped up in my mind and I worked on it from there.
Q: What was it like working with Paul van Dyk back in 2012?
It was really nice to work with a name like Paul van Dyk, I mean he’s been in the scene for a very long time. We actually never sat down in the studio. With the Internet and all that nowadays, we can just send stuff back and forth and that’s how we finished the track. But yes, like I said, I’m really happy to have been able to work with such a respectable and big name.
Q: And what about working with R3hab and Nervo?
Ah it’s from two different corners really. Paul Van Dyk is mostly from a trance scene and R3hab and Nervo are more from the stuff that I’ve been doing recently. Also, I’ve known R3hab for a long time and we like ach other’s work so we sent some stuff back and forth. Nervo heard the track somewhere in Miami and they really liked it which led to them writing something for it and well, “Revolution” happened. I was and am really happy with it and so is everyone.
Q: You should be, it’s a great track! Do you have any other collaborations coming up?
Haha thank you! Yes, I have another one with R3hab, another with Nervo as well as with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. I also have some other collaborations but I want to keep those a secret for now. Haha.
Q: Haha I suppose that’s fair. 2014 has been a pretty big year for you. What would you say is the highlight of your year so far?
It has and wow, just wow, really. Music wise, the success of “Revolution”, “Raise Your Hands”, “Smash” and the remix on “Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat” with Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike has been fantastic. Gig wise, I’ve played so many big festivals. EDC and Ultra for the first time, so yeah, the whole of 2014 so far has been amazing.
Q: Wow! Where else will you be touring after this?
I’m playing at Dreamfields in Bali, then Creamfields on August 22nd (Friday). Also there’s a festival in Austria, then Holland and then it’s off to the States.
Photo via Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur
Q: Cool. DJ Mag’s Top 100 DJs poll is back. Are you campaigning this year and what do you hope of it?
Yeah, of course I am. But I don’t know what to expect really. I’m really happy to be in it and of course, I hope to go higher but we’ll see how it goes.
Q: And who do you think will be in the Top 5 this year?
That’s a tough question but I think everybody knows that Martin will go really high up this year. I don’t think the top 5 will change much like Avicii and Hardwell will still be in the top 5. I think the only big change will be for Martin to go very high.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to when you’re not working?
I like listening to every kind of music so that different styles of music can inspire me. I really like everything.
Q: Okay, last one. If you had to, which would you give up – food or sex?
Hahahaha. Okay this is difficult. Hmm. I would give up food, yeah, food. Haha
Photo via Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur
We had such an epic time with Ummet Ozcan and we look forward to more parties at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur. Stay updated with Ummet Ozcan via these platforms: Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Before we go, here’s “Raise Your Hands” by Ummet Ozcan. Enjoy!