Interview

I did interview for Brazilian music site RRAURL, read it here

But be prepared, it’s in Portuguese!

Obrigado Brasil!

English translate below…

1-) First of all, tell me who is Bogdan Irkük: your music references; how you started producing and when was that; music for a living/living for music? Do you see yourself as a “character”?

I am Bogdan Irkük a.k.a. BULGARI, a.k.a. Steppe Ghost. (It’s actually pronounced Bagdan.) I am child of the Thracian Plain, from generations of steppe riders, who rose up against the Ottoman. I got into producing around -97. Before my life was mess. Also after but not as much. There was always the boogie. Had loads of unfinished stuff. Met Yourhighness and Rollerboy in Munich, released first EP.

2-) How is your set up for production? Analogic stuff? Instruments? Laptops? Tell me please how you deal with these things.

I use a computer machine running Ableton Live, which I love. You can really use it on intuition, try stuff out. Other programs try to mimic real studio, with all the real world limitation, like rigid old ugly Cubase which I used before and hate. I love the Korg Polysix and microKorg, they go into everything. I bought a nice electric bass for the Sally Shapiro remix. It has really ugly 70’s studio style, like wood clearcoat but a bit orange. I love. Apart from that, tambourine. Headphone. Thats it

3-) Disco music: your love for space disco music is such a strong characteristic. How did you get yourself into it? What are the main artists no your musical taste? And what about the new disco wave, how did you get in touch with names like Al Usher, Prins Thomas, etc.?

This has been the stuff that gave me the chills from really early on. The boogie was always there. I don’t see meaning of calling music retro. Culture not so fast. Human not so fast. I make music that builds on the stuff I grew up listening to. That’s all I can do. Those musics created the world I live in. Calling it retro makes it sound like something done for speculate, to steal a cheap point. Not the case. I just go with what makes my hair tingle, and what makes me want to cry. It sounds the way it needs to sound.

Prins Thomas liked the first EP’s and asked me to do a remix for the re-release of Lullaby For Robert. I didn’t need a lot of convince. Prins Thomas is just so inspiring, he can really put them traxx in the right order. It’s all in how a song feels compared to the one before, no? He’ll play some disco jam that gives me a hard-on, then he’ll melt everybodys face off with some trancey banger I thought I hated.

4-) I’m really anxious to hear about Sofia and Bulgaria. How is the disco scene nowadays down there? How much of your music - and also of your image - is really bulgarian?

I live in Stockholm now. Lot of good musics here. Lots of good musics at Tranan. Gay scene is OK but they only listen to kitsch crap! Like I said, I am child of Thracian Plain, my mother always played for me beautiful melancholic Hutsul folk music. If it’s too fast and happy, it don’t make Bogdan happy.

5-) “No shower, lot of after-shave”. One of the most interesting aspects on your profile is the manish interests. Why do you express that as an artist? Is there a direct connection between the gay erotism of early disco and your music?

YES…

6-) Despite the manly stuff, your music is definetelly sexy (”sensual”, in my language). Do you intend your music to be like that? Are you a true romantic man?

It’s very emotional. I can’t help the sexy. People say ‘Oh Bogdan your track is so sexy’, but they make mistake. The Laws Of Physics is not about sex. It’s about ssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkksssssssssssss. I don’t think I’m romantic. I’m just really easily affected. I sometimes feel like I have not skin. Maybe bad translation.

7-) For your remixes, how do you create your connections: do you get in touch with artists you like and propose them, or people contact you thru labels and etc?

People write to me. Very flattering! But I turn often down. I should turn all stuff down really, because remix usually means I don’t do my own stuff for 3 months. But is nice to feel loved, even on the WWW’s…

8-) Do you play live; are you a DJ as well? If yes, how do you purchase music daily?

I very rarely play live. DJ sometimes. Not always so good! Last week somebody fuck you’d me because the music I play. Sorry man, but if you invite Bogdan, you won’t be getting fucking Black Eyed Peas. No matter how many times you ask…

13 Responses to “Interview”

  1. alex says:

    hey b.

    our re-edit of your amazing rmx for lullaby for robert will open our next gig.

    much love fm brasil :]

  2. Enzomodel says:

    Bogdan is my Hero!
    Man!i’m addicted to your music,please work hard & harder & gave us 5or10 new tracks!!!Giiiive meee myyyyyyy FiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiX!!!!!!!

    XD fo real man i know you better now with this interview & i’ll apreciate more your soundz!
    French fan,!Vote for Bulgaria in Paris!!!

  3. Bogdan says:

    Thanks Enzo! I’m finishing new traxx right now, will be out in a near future! I promise.

    Much love…….. B

  4. Unost' says:

    cosmic Bogdan, you play on talkbox in your composition ?)

  5. Kolta says:

    Thank you for changing our tastes up here in the NorthWest of USA. We love you.

  6. Bogdan says:

    hy unost! check your email.

    love, B

  7. Bogdan says:

    Much love coming back to you.

  8. BoB SwanS says:

    A very interesting read,I am surprised you use ableton!
    Keep up the good work

  9. alex says:

    unique u oversea friend.

  10. Johan Agebjörn says:

    Ha ha, I was also asked to play Black Eyed Peas on my latest gig…

  11. alex says:

    space reflecting on the bosphoros is a masterpiece b.

    i need to tell u… hit me!

    we love u brother.

    u’re such an inspiration. please us with your uniqueness.

    i’ll say it again… WE LOVE YOU

  12. ouhlalapierre says:

    Your music keeps playing in my head all day long man. pure cosmic groove

    much love from Paris

  13. J says:

    It’s been too long….when are you releasing more music???

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