EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Known as the “Hardcore Princess” of the techno sce- ne, SUMIA’s rise in the electronic music world has been nothing short of electrifying. Her blend of hard tech- no, psytrance, and hypnotic rhythms has earned her a devoted following. Yet behind the decks and the poun- ding beats lies a multifaceted artist whose life is as dynamic off-stage as it is on. In this article, we dive deeper into who SUMIA is beyond her music and how her personal life has shaped her artistic identity.
EARLY LIFE: SPORTS, MUSIC, AND A DRIVE FOR EXPLORATION
Long before SUMIA became a recognizable name in the techno scene, her life revolved around sports. Growing up in Turkey, the Slovakian & Turkish artist, was a pro- fessional volleyball player for Beşiktaş Sports Club, one of the country’s top teams. However, her promising athletic career came to an abrupt halt due to injury.
“I had to end my volleyball career, which was devasta- ting at the time,” she recalls.
“I worked as an assistant coach for a while, but it wasn’t fulfilling, and that’s when I turned my focus towards university. I believe that my athletic background made me both an ambitious and disciplined person.”
But SUMIA’s athletic drive didn’t end there. For the past seven years, she’s been rock climbing professionally, a testament to her enduring passion for physical cha- llenges. Alongside her athletic pursuits, SUMIA’s early life was infused with creativity.
“My sister and I were part of a small metal band—she played electric guitar, and I was on drums. Playing the drums really helped me develop my sense of rhythm, which has been essential to my music.”
This eclectic blend of interests continued to evolve as SUMIA pursued her studies in economics at Izmir Ege University. Her passion for music followed her, even as she swapped the drums for the saxophone.
“I was inspired by Sade’s ‘Smooth Operator’ and wanted to play that song on the sax. I used to play but unfor- tunately, I was a smoker, and my diaphragmatic brea- thing was weak, which made it difficult.”
While her saxophone playing didn’t pan out, SUMIA’s journey into music production began in Izmir.
“I was hanging out with a producer at the time, and that’s when I first got introduced to music production. I was eager to learn, but he wasn’t willing to teach me, which was frustrating I think it made me a more ambi- tious musician...”
Undeterred, SUMIA returned to Istanbul, driven by am- bition. She began learning music production from her close friend Furkan Alper while enrolling at Mimar Si- nan University to study art history. This dual passion for music and art opened new creative pathways for her.
“Since then, I’ve been working on visual art projects, in- cluding collage and painting under the name Confu- sion Crafts. I’ve had six exhibitions so far, four of them mixed exhibitions,” she shares proudly.
As an artist, SUMIA’s approach to music is one of ex- ploration and boundary-pushing. Known for her hard techno sound, she draws heavily from a variety of gen- res, including psytrance and hypnotic rhythms. When asked about the evolution of sub-genres in techno, she offers a refreshingly open-minded perspective.
“Music is a language through which I express myself, and I don’t believe in placing boundaries in art. Many people have strong opinions about what constitutes ‘real’ techno, but I welcome the blending of elements from different musical styles. Music, like life, is cons- tantly evolving and changing.”
Her early love for psytrance, in particular, has heavi- ly influenced her work. This willingness to experiment has led to the creation of tracks that are rich in tex- ture and complexity. Her ability to seamlessly merge sub-genres has helped her stand out in a scene that can sometimes be rigid in its preferences.
“I’ve been listening to psytrance and techno music since my youth, and I find it exciting to merge those elements with techno. I don’t feel obligated to choose one genre. Sticking to one style would dull my creativity, and I be- lieve that exploring different styles enhances it.”
CONNECTION THROUGH MUSIC: PRO- DUCTION AND LIVE PERFORMANCE
For SUMIA, music isn’t just something she creates in isolation—it’s a way to connect with her audience on a deeper level.
“Each of my tracks carries a piece of me,” she explains.
“When I’m happy, I create a happy sound. If I’m feeling dark, you’ll hear that in my music. I guess it’s a kind of meditation. I believe that every moment in my life ins- pires me in a different way.”
When it comes to her live DJ sets, SUMIA thrives on spontaneity and interaction with the crowd.
“I prepare a playlist with a lot of tracks, but I never like to stick to a fully pre-arranged set. I think it’s crucial to read the crowd, no matter where I am. I connect with ravers by making eye contact and gauging their ener- gy. We communicate with each other through in many ways especially feeling our energy and we move toge- ther as one.”
Whilst talking about her years performing with such high energy, SUMIA mentioned drinking while perfor- ming is a “no-go” for her. Still, nothing is set in stone once the job is done.
“I stay sober when I’m producing or performing. I need to stay in control but don’t worry, I celebrate with a few tequila shots afterward!” She shared with a smile.
TECHNO AS ACTIVISM: BUILDING COMMUNITY AND MAKING A DIFFE- RENCE
For SUMIA, techno is more than just music—it’s a form of activism and a way to bring people together.
“Techno changed many things with its rise during the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s a form of rebellion, a response to what’s happening in the world. If we only view it as art, we’re missing the bigger picture.”
This belief in the transformative power of music inspi- red her to co-found Volx Community & Records in 2021 with her sister, Melissa Dust. Based in Istanbul, Volx is more than just a record label; it’s a community dedica- ted to fostering solidarity among artists.
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