We caught up with Elif ahead of her performance in Austin as part of her busy schedule. She also recently released her three track EP on The Gardens Of Babylon – Beatport Purchase Link – Bandcamp Purchase Link
Q1. So, tell us where you departed from and landed into today?
I departed from Istanbul Airport and I have landed in Dallas to drive to Austin later ☺
Q2. Is this a one-off show, or part of a bigger tour? (If a tour, tell us where you have been so far)
When posting content from my travels I usually use the hashtag #elifontour and once a friend said ‘Elif never not on tour baby!’ and that’s kind of my reality at the moment. I was in Istanbul, my hometown, for 24 hours and only at the airport. This was not for a connecting flight but for a very exciting shoot!
Before the shoot I was in Spain, and played at Hi Ibiza over the weekend with Damian Lazarus and Black Coffee. I then went on to spent the week in Barcelona in the studio with one of my fav collaboration partners Gespona. Before Ibiza I was in London, Agafay Desert in Morocco, Tel Aviv, Uzbekistan, Berlin and Amsterdam!
After 2 shows in the US this weekend I’m going back to Europe, playing OFF Sonar on Thursday for the Soundgarden Showcase then heading to Albania for Anjunadeep Explorations. Busy bee!
Q3. What venue are you playing tonight and who else is on the line up?
I’m playing Mayan Warrior in Austin tomorrow, and we’ll drive to Austin. I came to Dallas because I have a good promoter friend here and we wanted to drive to Austin together, a little American road trip. Moscoman, Rebolledo and Echonomist are also on the line up.
After Austin I have an early flight to NYC and I’m going to play a Sunday party under the K bridge with the Gardens of Babylon family, House of Yes and Kuna. Then back to Europe!
Q4. What is one item you can’t travel without?
My headphones I guess 🙂
Q5. Tell us your typical gig schedule – do you get to see much of the places you visit?
Not always but sometimes I do. If I have a 3-4 gig weekend it becomes more difficult to see anything. Sometimes I barely find time to sleep, but If I have a gig on Friday and another one on Saturday and if I’m in the US for example, then I can spend Wednesday to Friday in one city and then Saturday to next Tuesday in the other one, rest up, see some places, connect to people etc.
Q6. One thing you hate about being on the road?
I really love being on the road! I used to hate packing but now I made the whole process a well-trained process and I always travel with a carry on so it’s simpler now. I hate losing my stuff but that’s a bit inevitable when you have to pack and move so much.
Q7. Finally, tell is the worst / funniest thing that’s happened to you whilst on the road?
I have been traveling a lot before I was a DJ, I used to write a music and travel blog so I have been on the road for over 15 years. I think the answer to this question should be a book.
June 28, 2022