DJ  Utku Küley: Turkey

 

Interview withSima for Australian Tango Festival series:

 

Introduction:

Utku Küley has been a tangoDJ since 2008, his style inspired by Marcelo Rojas, Mario Orlando, HoracioGodoy and Aydoğan Arkış. Utku was the first Turkish DJ in Buenos Aires milongasand has been invited to many prestigious tango events in Europe.

Question 1:

Did you have much exposure tomusic in Turkey when you were young and what first drew you to Argentine tangomusic?

 

Utku:

My musical journey started when I wasthirteen years old. I studied at the Istanbul State Conservatory in theclassical guitar department. I completed my masters studies at the conservatoryas well. During my education I came across Argentinian tango music and sincethen I'm in love with it. This led me to dance tango and my interest towardsthis culture grew in my heart simultaneously.

 

Question 2:

What was the Argentine tangomusic which first inspired you?

 

Utku:

Great musical pieces of Astor Piazzolamade me fall in love with Argentinian tango music. Discovering his music openeddoors to a wider repertoire including the golden age orchestras such as Troilo,Di Sarli, D’Arienzo and Pugliese.

 

Question 3:

Do you feel your Turkishbackground gives a special flavour to your work as a DJ, or is it more aboutpresenting historical orchestras of particular period, such as the GoldenYears?

 

Utku:

I give more importance to the dancersthan my personal taste. In a milonga night, the pleasure of the dancers andtheir performances have higher priority than the DJ's. I try to make eachdancer happy and satisfied.

 

Question 4:

How does your many years as atango dancer influence your choice of tango tracks to play at a milonga?

Utku:

I'm not only a DJ, I would prefer tocall myself as a musicalizador. I embrace every aspect of Tango. Regarding this,in my point of view every good Tango DJ should have a comprehensive knowledgeof tango culture besides dancing it only. Whenever I create a tanda, I put my12 years of Tango experience into account which includes my music knowledge,tango culture, how I interpret the dance floor, the history of the Tangotracks, the size of the dance hall in addition to my professional tangoteaching and tango choreographer career.

 

Question 5:

How do you choose yourcortinas and how important are they to the mood of the night?

 

Utku:

I give importance to the harmony oftandas and cortinas.

 

Question 6:

How important for a DJ isdeveloping expertise with and using the right music equipment to achieve theright sound?

 

Utku:

All in all, of course unforgettabledancing nights can be created with the help of good quality equipment and rightchoices of tracks.

A good DJ can make great music even withinsufficient equipment. Each dancing hall is quite different and unexpectedmisfortunes can happen anytime. What is important is to elevate and maintainthe positive energy of the dancers.

Question 7:

Does the country in which youDJ influence your choice of works?

 

Utku:

It changes for sure. For example Frenchpeople prefer Canora tandas whereas Turks enjoy Juan D'Arienzo more.

 

Question 8:

At the Australian TangoFestival, you are DJ for the Saturday “All that Glitters” Milonga – whatspecial considerations may influence the building of your playlist for thisspecial night?

 

Utku:

I don't want to answer before feelingthe venue. First of all, I need to get to know you. I am so excited and happythat I will be there to meet you.