Fresh off the back of their Truesoul debut ‘Shake Off’ EP, OZBEK & Zafer Atabey are in a reflective but forward-looking mood. The Turkish duo chat with EDMTunes exclusively to unpack the instinctive studio process behind the release, how the breakout success of ‘My Culture’ shaped its direction, and share insights into the local Istanbul club scene.
Tell us about the making of Shake Off EP. Did you go in with a plan or just let things flow?
OZBEK: For this EP, we didn’t follow a strict plan. After the reaction we saw with “My Culture,” we had a clear feeling of the direction we wanted to explore, but we allowed the ideas to develop naturally in the studio. “Shake Off” came together quite organically — once we found the groove and the vocal concept, everything else evolved around that energy. It was more about capturing a feeling than following a formula.
Zafer: I would say it was a balance between intuition and experience. “My Culture” gave us a strong reference point in terms of how our sound connects with people, especially on big stages. With “Shake Off,” we wanted to keep that emotional connection but bring in a slightly brighter, more playful character. At the same time, “Don’t Stop” came from a completely different mindset — more minimal, more groove-focused. So overall, we let things flow, but with a clear understanding of what we wanted to express.
What do you like most about working with one another? What’s something unique that each brings to the collaborative project?
Zafer: Our collaboration actually started very naturally. I released a track called “Cognitive Resonance” back in 2020, and OZBEK reached out to me to share his appreciation. He invited me to one of his gigs, played the track there, and that moment really created a connection between us. Shortly after, we started working together, and eventually EXTIMA was born.
What makes our collaboration special is the balance. OZBEK has a very strong instinct for the dancefloor — he knows exactly how a track should feel in a club environment. I tend to focus more on structure, storytelling and the emotional side of music. When these two perspectives come together, the result feels both functional and expressive.
OZBEK: Exactly — we complement each other. There’s a natural understanding in the studio, and we push each other in a positive way. That’s what keeps the process fresh every time.
Who are your production heroes?
OZBEK: This is changing from time to time, but I can say Maceo Plex, Wehbba and Kercha at the moment.
Zafer: Bart Skils, Zimmz and Khainz. Besides, looking through my large Rekordbox collection, Drunken Kong and Ronnie Spiteri are the names that come up the most.
What’s a dream bit of studio gear you’d like to add to your collection?
OZBEK: I’m very inspired by analog gear, so something like a Moog One or a high-end modular system would definitely be a dream addition. There’s something special about the unpredictability and character of analog sound that you can’t fully replicate digitally.
Do you set career goals and try to manifest certain things or just let things flow? If so, what would you like to achieve in 2026?
OZBEK: I believe in setting direction rather than rigid goals. Of course, we have ambitions — playing bigger stages, releasing on key labels — but we also try to stay flexible and enjoy the journey. For 2026, the goal is to keep evolving our sound and reach wider audiences globally.
Zafer: I’m a bit more structured in that sense. I do set clear goals, both musically and professionally. With OZBEK, we’ve been gradually building our presence, and releases like Drumcode and now Truesoul are important milestones. For 2026, I would say the focus is on consistency — more high-quality releases, stronger international presence, and continuing to develop a sound that is truly our own.
Outside of music, what sort of hobbies or practices do you have to keep balance in your life?
OZBEK: Honestly, music takes almost all my time and energy. It’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle but my other side is being a huge gamer, I enjoy playing online games with my friends.
Zafer: For me it’s quite different. I have a full-time executive career outside of music, so my life is about balancing two very demanding worlds. In a way, music becomes both a creative outlet and a form of mental reset.
Share a musical recommendation you can’t stop listening to.
OZBEK: Lately I’ve been really into Leftfield Bass, and UK sound. I also have another alias called “S0LID” I’m still releasing music from there time to time. There’s a lot of exciting music coming out in that space right now.
What’s coming up next in terms of your studio projects?
OZBEK: We’re working on a 10-track Tech House album for our sub-label EXTVISIONS, which will be quite unique in terms of its concept and collaborations. At the same time, we’re developing several new projects in the indie dance and melodic techno space. Continuing to release on labels like Drumcode and Truesoul is definitely part of our long-term vision.
How’s the local Istanbul scene tracking these days? Is the club scene healthy? Can you highlight some up and coming artists we should have on our radar? And the clubs we should check out when we visit?
Zafer: It’s a challenging period for the Istanbul scene. The economic environment has definitely impacted nightlife, and people are not going out as much as before. That said, there are still some strongholds like Phonix Klein and Kastel that keep the scene alive.
On the artist side, there’s a lot of talent coming through. Names like People Like Us and Deniz Kabu are definitely worth watching — they have strong potential and deserve more international exposure.
What’s your most anticipated gig of the summer fans should check out?
Zafer: I recently moved to Houston for business, and there’s a small but very passionate electronic music community here. Bauhaus is a great venue with a strong vibe. I’m especially looking forward to Green Velvet’s show there in June.
OZBEK: To be honest I don’t know at this moment. I have lots of cancelled gigs due to the situation in the area but Adam Beyer’s recent show at Phonix Klein in Istanbul was incredible. The energy was amazing, and I have a feeling he’ll be back again this summer. Definitely something to look forward to.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We’re really excited about this phase of our journey. From “My Culture” to the Shake Off EP, we feel like we’re building a clear artistic identity — something that sits between groove, melody and dancefloor energy. There’s a lot more coming, and we’re just getting started.
OZBEK & Zafer Atabey’s ‘Shake Off’ is out now on Truesoul:
