Contributing WriterToday, we have the pleasure of interviewing CENKK, a truly multidisciplinary musician whose background in opera and classical composition has uniquely shaped his approach to electronic music. Known for his captivating soundscapes that seamlessly blend his countertenor voice with electronic production, CENKK is undeniably one of the rising stars in the electronic music scene. His talent has garnered support from notable figures such as Solomun, Adriatique, Âme, Toto Chiavetta, and Henri Bergmann, among others. With releases on esteemed labels like Multinotes, Borders of Light, and Automatik, CENKK continues to make waves with his innovative sound.
Let’s dive into his journey, inspirations, and what’s next on the horizon.
Hey CENKK, how are you, how has 2024 been for you so far?
All good here. It’s been a wonderful year so far with many releases and performances. Been working hard but it is paying off.
You are trained in opera and classical – do you draw on that much making electronic music?
Yes, for sure. I’ve done my undergrad and three different masters degrees on opera and classical music. You will for sure get some touches of that in my productions. I usually use my own vocals and whenever I write a break, I tend to use my compositional skills to incorporate something more symphonic with complex string section to brass.
How did you get into electronic music after studying those sounds? What appeals about it for you?
Before I went into studying at a conservatoire, I was writing electronic music and DJing here and there. I never took it serious at the time. During Covid all my operatic engagements came to an halt, so therefore I started writing film music and electronic music to keep my creativity flowing. I realised that I had missed and loved to express myself in an electronic sense, as I was for the past ten years an acoustic musician.
What is your signature style, what makes your music unique?
I think that there is always some kind of a surprise, let’s say in the form of a vocal or an instrumental, that comes in and dominates the listeners ears. I always try and experiment to find something unique. Also, the arc of a song is very important to me, it has to have a journey, it doesn’t matter if the song is four or eight minutes. Off beat sounds and layered vocals are definitely something to expect from my output.
Tell us about your new tune “The Beat” for the Multinotes Compilation and what inspired it?
I had actually written this track almost a year and a half ago and it has been road tested by myself, Lehar, Elif, Murat Uncuoglu and Alican. It has that surprise effect of what I’ve mentioned about my sound. The inspiration for this track was actually the disco era where you would get stellar vocals on top of funky beats. The short vocals that just say ‘Dance to the beat’ is set on a SATB form, which basically is your conventional choir.
What impact did moving to london have on your sound?
Because of the weather I think I have more studio days which is a huge impact on my output. In terms of sound I don’t think it has a great impact as I tend to be inspired by my travels and other artists. But I’m guessing it has had some of an impact just because of the sheer culture that you’re surrounded by in this city, from museums to live shows and clubs.
How different is the scene here, the crowds, the vibes, the sounds?
I honestly think that it depends on the club and the artists that are playing on a given night. I think it’s super nice to be connected to other musicians and DJs who live here. I’m close to a few and it’s like a collective, we do support each other. Our sounds might be different, but we do also have quite a bit of similarities. Maybe we are inspired by one another.
What one thing do you miss from back home?
The weather. Having lived in LA and Miami, the grey really is something I struggle with.
What have you got coming up that you can share with us?
Headlining at Do Not Sit in Miami on 4th of July. It’s a big deal if you’re from Miami. I love this club and the owners are wonderful people. Also I have a release on Radikon with really great artists on their VA this summer.
You have been supported by the likes of Solomun, Adriatique, Âme – what does that mean? Does it have an impact on what you do next?
I’ve been very fortunate to have such great artists support my work. I’m ever so grateful and I think about it often at how lucky I am to be acknowledged by people who I admire. The impact is obviously that I always try for the next bigger and better step in my artists direction, but also to make sure that I align myself within the right company. I will get back in the studio after summer for the next instalments of tracks what I would like to deliver to my listeners.
CENKK “The Beat” is out on Multinotes on 28th June
Grab it here
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