ContirbutorAfter a whirlwind year that’s taken him from the pulsating dancefloors of Brazil to the ancient stone backdrops of Croatia, Turkish-born, LA-based DJ and producer DJ Borak has emerged with a renewed creative fire, and a deeply personal new EP, Again Again. In this candid conversation, Borak opens up about the lessons learned from touring across continents, the emotional battles behind his latest release, the joy of spontaneous performance, and the challenges of navigating the music industry as an independent artist. From football dreams in Rio to late-night drives in Beverly Hills, his journey is as eclectic and groove-driven as the music he plays.
MI4L – Brazil was a first for you this year. What was the most surprising thing about touring there, both musically and culturally?
What did playing to a South American audience teach you about your sound or your approach as a performer?
Borak – Brazil and the 5 shows I did there was an incredible milestone for me. I’ve always loved traveling to new places, but there’s something about Brazil that has always felt familiar—even before I’d ever set foot there. Growing up in Türkiye, football is deeply embedded in our culture, and during my childhood (and still now), Brazilian football was at the top of the world. Their rhythm, passion, and expression fascinated me early on. I’ve always had this vision of one day playing in front of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio—so even though I didn’t play in front of the statue, being there, in the country was surreal.
What truly took me by surprise was the energy of the crowd. Brazilians live their emotions on the dancefloor. It’s not just music to them—it’s a way of being. Their presence felt like all or nothing, 100% or 0%. Luckily, in my case, they were all in. It left me with a huge sense of comfort—now I feel confident playing anywhere in Brazil, in any club, city, or festival, day or night.
As for how it influenced me—Brazil reminded me, again, that assumptions and expectations kill the joy. I had played out different scenarios in my mind—what tracks might work or not—but once I was there, it was clear none of that mattered. The real magic came from letting go and surrendering to improvisation. That spontaneity became the heart of my sets, and Brazil reminded me why that’s where I thrive.
MI4L – Your performance at Gates of Agartha in Croatia followed your appearances in Turkey. What stands out to you about the energy or atmosphere at these uniquely historic festival locations?
Do you feel the cultural backdrop changes how you connect with the crowd?
Borak – Absolutely. This was one of the most special experiences for me this year. I’ve known the GATE team for many years, and I had the opportunity to play for them in the original Agartha location—Cappadocia, in my home country of Türkiye. I’ve always admired their vision and the immense effort they put into curating every detail of their events—from lineup to lighting, location to storytelling.
Playing at their Croatia edition was something I’d been following for a while, but being there in person exceeded every expectation. As an artist, performing in such a breathtaking historic setting doesn’t just elevate the audience’s experience—it elevates ours too. The energy was unreal.
From the sound system to the visuals to the overall vibe, it became one of the most memorable performances of my career. There’s a special kind of presence that comes with playing in a place that carries so much history and intentionality. I felt completely immersed—fully in the moment, enjoying every second. And you could see that same energy reflected in the other performers too.
MI4L – Your latest EP “Again Again” blends organic textures with club-ready rhythms. What inspired the sound of this project, and how does it represent your evolution as an artist?
Borak – To really explain that, I have to go back to when I wrote these tracks. I actually finished them at the beginning of 2024, so it’s been almost two years now. We were still fresh out of the COVID era, and I was in a heavy period of self-doubt—fighting an inner battle with myself. If you listen to the lyrics, it says, “I’m feeling alone again / This sht I owe to them / They don’t want to let it go.”
The “they” in that lyric isn’t about specific people around me—it’s a representation of everything. The noise, the expectations, the pressure. I was surrounded by a large community, yet felt incredibly alone. I was unhappy with myself, unsure of my artistic identity, and struggling through the daily grind of living as an artist.
Looking back, I can admit I was victimizing myself a lot. I was constantly coming up with reasons and excuses for why things weren’t working. I felt like I was stuck in quicksand—being pulled down, even as I was trying to rise. That emotional space was the main inspiration for Again Again.
The journey of getting the EP released was also a long one. After many refusals, it was Zigan Aldi—an incredibly talented and respected producer—who introduced me to Björn from 3000Grad. They embraced the music and gave it a home. That felt like such a moment of alignment. I couldn’t have imagined a better label for this release.
Now that it’s out, and I can see where I am today compared to back then, I realize how deeply that time shaped me. It reflects not only the emotional struggle I went through, but also how I came out the other side. That’s what this EP represents to me—an essential part of my evolution as an artist and human being.
MI4L – Niki Sadeki’s remix adds a dreamlike quality to the EP. How did that collaboration come about, and what drew you to her reinterpretation of your track?
Borak – That’s a beautiful question. Niki and I met for the first time in LA. I was originally drawn to her character before even diving into her music. Then one time I was playing in New York, and she was playing in Brooklyn the night before. I went to her show—and from that moment, we connected. She quickly became one of my favorite people in my life, and I’m proud to call her a dear friend.
When it came to deciding who should remix Again Again, the choice was incredibly easy. I remember this moment very vividly: I had just finished the final mix, got it ready for mastering, listened to it once in my car—and immediately picked up the phone and called Niki. I told her, “I’m sending you a track. I can’t think of anyone but you to remix this.” And with the same energy, she listened once and said, “I’m in.”
What’s interesting is that there was actually another remix by a very talented friend of mine. It was an amazing version, but in the end, the artist changed his direction and didn’t feel aligned with the EP anymore. That remix never came out—but I fully respect his decision. Collaborations only work when both parties are fully on board. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
MI4L – Elevado closes the EP with a warm, percussive vibe. Can you walk us through the creative process behind that track—and what you wanted listeners to feel when hearing it?
Borak – Elevado got its name in a pretty fun way. We were driving back from an after-party at around 7AM, heading to a friend’s house in Beverly Hills. I asked everyone in the car if they wanted to hear something I had just finished. I played them the track—it had no name yet—and my friend just shouted, “ELEVATION! ELEVATION!” ? We all laughed and said, “That’s it—that’s the name.”
The title couldn’t have been more fitting. While Again Again represents my internal struggle, Elevado represents my elevation out of that phase. You can even hear it in the lyrics—“Are you ready? Are you ready for me?” That line is a moment of acceptance. It’s me finally finding peace with myself.
Creatively, I originally wanted to create a separate EP centered around more afro-centric elements. But percussive electronic music is deeply embedded in my sound—no matter the genre I write in. So as Elevado developed, it started to naturally connect with Again Again. In the end, the two tracks ended up complementing each other beautifully. You can hear parts of Again Again in Elevado, and vice versa.
MI4L – In the first week it went straight into the Top 10. What has that recognition meant for you personally and professionally, especially as an independent artist?
Borak – It’s honestly a little hard to process. I’ve never been someone who gets attached to numbers— but apparently, those numbers are meaningful in the industry. Of course, I’m happy. But to be totally honest, I didn’t feel the emotional reaction I thought I would. I expected to be moved a lot more… But when I saw the chart success (which we had hoped for), I was surprisingly calm. Maybe if it had hit #1 it would’ve hit me harder! ?
Regardless, I’m incredibly grateful. The EP has brought me a wave of love and support, and I’m still receiving messages every day about Again Again. So thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has taken the time to listen, share, and support the EP.
MI4L – You’re handling everything solo—from touring to promotion—without a manager or label. What’s been your biggest challenge as an independent artist, and what keeps you pushing forward?
Borak – Unfortunately, yes—that’s the reality. Being an independent artist today means wearing many hats. While people often talk about how electronic music is built on community and love, the actual industry is extremely competitive. There are so many moving parts, and until you find the right team to represent you, being just a good musician isn’t enough.
You have to be your own manager, booking agent, social media person, videographer, editor, attorney—and the list goes on. And the hardest part? You’re not protected. No manager means no buffer. You deal with last-minute cancellations, unfulfilled promises, and you’re constantly making compromises.
That said, I try to see the bright side. This journey has taught me a lot. It’s forced me to grow stronger and handle situations more maturely. But I’ll admit—it’s exhausting. I know that with the right mentorship and representation, I could expand and evolve much faster.
So here I say it again, officially: I’m looking for management and an agent. ?
MI4L – You’ve performed across continents this year. How do you adapt your sets to different cultural contexts, or do you keep a core musical identity no matter where you’re playing?
Borak – I’ve always been a dancefloor-focused DJ. I never really connected with the idea of “This is my sound—take it or leave it.” At the end of the day, we’re in the entertainment business. As DJs, our job is to read the room and bring it to life.
I come from a time when you couldn’t even see the DJ in the booth. The DJ was still the rockstar, but the spotlight was always on the music. And that’s still how I approach things today. My biggest goal is for everyone in the room to walk away thinking, “Wow, what just happened?” or “Wow, that’s some great DJing”, I want people to remember that night.
Of course, I do keep a musical identity. When people ask me about my sound, I always say “eclectic.” But at the core, there’s always groove and percussion. Some DJs lean on the kick, some on bass, others on vocals. For me, it’s the groove that drives everything. Whatever genre I’m playing, my selections always revolve around that.
The rest is about watching the room and playing the right track at the right time.
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MI4L – Looking ahead to 2025, you’re shaping a new vision. What are your main goals, creatively and logistically, as you think about building a team and expanding globally?
Borak – Right now, I’m in the process of planning my second tour of the year. I’m writing new music, locking in shows, and staying in flow. I wouldn’t say I have a full “game plan” just yet—but until fall, I’ll mostly be based back home in Türkiye, playing eight shows back-to-back alongside incredible artists like Kölsch, Âme, David August, and more.
I have five tracks that I’m hoping to release this year. I’m currently sending them to labels I think are a good fit—so yes, there’s more music on the way.
I’m also likely heading back to South America for New Year’s, which I’m excited about.
On the event side, I run a boutique series in Los Angeles called RAKKAS. It’s a unique concept where there’s no opener or closer. We bring together B- and C-tier artists and have them do 30- minute B2Bs—handing off the decks organically. It’s all curated to ensure sonic compatibility, but there’s no hierarchy—everyone’s a headliner. So far, we’ve done five editions. The sixth is coming up in the fall, and I’d love to do one more before the year ends.
MI4L – Finally, what does Again Again mean to you personally—not just as a title, but as a reflection of where you are right now in your journey as an artist?
Borak – Looking at it now—and not to sound dramatic—but Again Again is a battle I won. It represents me pulling myself out of a dark mental space and finding peace within myself. I’m still working on myself, of course—I believe personal growth never ends—but releasing this EP marked the closing of a chapter in my life. And I’m ready to start a new one.
Every single bar and beat in that track carries something I’m proud of. I’ll remember that song, and what it meant to me, for the rest of my life.
Thank you.
Pick up a copy of Borak’s ‘Again Again’ EP here – https://www.beatport.com/release/again-again/5092542