Here’s Kantocast 018 Mâi - “Selections from Mâi’s Kitchen”

Mâi is a Berlin/Istanbul based musician/producer/live act. It is a musical mirror to his journey, evolves and changes slowly through time. With a unique blend of indie dance music and Anatolian folk impressions, Mâi's music is both captivating and thought-provoking. Whether creating oriental soundscapes or driving funky beats, Mâi's music is always authentic and engaging. With a strong focus on visual and audio storytelling, Mâi’s live performances are an immersive experience that transport audiences to the narrow streets of Istanbul. 
Occasionally ornamenting with his soulful improvisations on the keyboard, his practice is the reflection of ‘what if’ questions and experimentations on creative points of contact between sonic ideas. It doesn’t stick to any existing genre while always keeping a signature oriental essence.

*What pushed you towards music production? Where did the inspiration come from?
My drive for music production has two roots; 
One root is in my introverted side.This comes from the intention of expressing myself. Telling about what I’ve been going through; what I’ve been enjoying lately, what I’ve been suffering from. As if I’m keeping a journal. I’m trying to open a door to my inside world, not really caring about the opinions of the external world, just as a monologue. 
Second root is feeding from my extroverted side. I’m looking for ways to connect with people through art. Provide an imaginary space for people to connect with the art and find their expressions. It is a dialogue where I say something and people respond.
The meaning presents itself when both aspects are in balance. 

* Do you think music interconnects with culture? How does the environment you live in affect your music?
Music is a form of expression that turns into culture; also culture is the food of music. It is a continuous cycle where each one affects the other simultaneously. That is what makes the culture continuous and preserve its uniqueness. 
I am always inspired by my surroundings. The cultural, artistic details in a city; a tiny ornamentation on a building, the smell on the streets; the way people talk, behave and live; all these combined, unconsciously inspire me and shape my expressions. This fact hit me very clearly when I moved to Berlin. Before moving I always lived in Istanbul. So obviously my music was highly influenced by the life & culture of Istanbul. After coming to Berlin 1.5 years ago my musical expression shifted drastically to what this city presented to me. However I can see clearly that I carry Istanbul in me and it will have a glimpse in my creations.  

* Do you get inspired by any other form of art?
If we can define art as a creative human expression, I am deeply inspired by any form of art. Inspiration can come from anywhere, but I’m mostly inspired by the forms of expressions; details that I intentionally or unintentionally remark in daily life. So every art form out there, any kind of expression, at any moment can be a source of inspiration for me. 

* What makes a set a good one?
Honesty and a perspective..
A set is good when you lose yourself in it while finding some inspiration. For this, the artist needs to have honest intentions about what they are presenting. Also have to bring something unique to the table; a provocative perspective saying “have you ever thought of this before?”.
Craft can always evolve and develop, but honesty and a strong perspective is essential.

* What’s the process you follow when bringing tunes together? Is it instinctive only or do you plan ahead?
This really depends on the occasion. But most of the time I overplan it, then I go spontaneous and with the flow.

* What would you like to say about your podcast?
This set came about in a cold lonely Berlin winter. So I was dancing in the kitchen most of my days. I was feeling homesick and listening to lots of music from the Middle East. :)

Kantocast 018: Mâi - "Selections from My Kitchen"

Imagined by Oceanvs Orientalis, Kanto Records is an art collective that does not believe in existing moulds.