Exclusive Interview with 'DORUK DOYRAN'

Doruk Doyran is an independent musician, model, actor, and writer based in cosmopolitan Berlin, Germany, who writes music for films, television shows, and other media.
A neoclassical/avant-garde project called L’enfant Rebelle includes piano sonatas, a tango, and an avant-garde experimental score.
Although he currently resides in Berlin and produced and recorded the EP there, the writing for the Sonatas was done in Istanbul, in a cafe.

The film “L’enfant Sauvage,” about a wild boy who lives in a jungle alone and without human contact until he is discovered, served as inspiration for him. He has felt utterly cut off from society as polarizations have broken out and taken place in various societies. He therefore came up with this moniker. Check out his latest EP and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?

DORUK DOYRAN : I am Doruk Doyran from Turkey. I am 21 years old and currently based in Berlin. My music journey had begun by having taken the exams of Mimar Sinan Conservatoire at the age of 9 but truth to be told, my love for music started simultaneously with the love for guitar after listening to some Santana tunes.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

DORUK DOYRAN : I took only 2 guitar lessons in my life. So yes, we could say that I am self-taught. As a matter of fact, I was studying music theory in cafes by reading some partitures

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘DORUK DOYRAN’?

DORUK DOYRAN : Doruk Doyran is my government name and I just sticked to it. It is everything I am, yet so less of it. Therefore I didn’t pick any stage names. My biggest musical influences are Santana, Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode, Sade, Radiohead, Johannes Brahms, Vivaldi, Liszt and many more.

4. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as Classical?
DORUK DOYRAN :
Music is something that comes to you from somewhere as Keith Richards would say. The process of writing a song is kind of plugging-in. Therefore it is my belief that if you try to emulate or imitate other artists’ sound, the thing you do has nothing with art. I wouldn’t say my style is classical, it is only for this EP. I rather call it experimental, for I always do strive for discovering something new.

5. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

DORUK DOYRAN :

I believe that the entertainment industry (music particularly) has the strongest voice in our society. Music shapes cultures (& vice versa). Thus it is a strong weapon of humanity against the politics. All I am trying to do is to encourage people to take a long journey within; which is the toughest of all.

6. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

DORUK DOYRAN :

Unfortunately I have to say that I am never satisfied with my work, which keeps me motivated to venture to try unorthodox things and I am always eager to experiment in other genres.

7. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

DORUK DOYRAN:

I usually start with a fundamental melody, which I write on a guitar and than I go with the flow. I just kind of lose my self. Therefore I can’t tell you how I write a song. As I have stated before; it just comes to me.

8. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

DORUK DOYRAN :

I don’t know to be honest. Maybe having started from the bottom but I enjoy the ride.

9. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

DORUK DOYRAN : Always finding the motivation and never lacking the disciple to push further and keep going.