Turkish-born, Barcelona-based DJ and producer Elif celebrates the launch of her debut label, Marginalia today, with the release of the imprint’s eagerly anticipated inaugural offering, Medusa EP. Conceived and created as a community to support, nurture and develop the incredible output of the producers whose music forms the backbone of Elif’s DJ sets worldwide, Marginalia’s opening three-track opus features two separate collaborations with hotly-tipped Brazilian producer Althoff and Tel Aviv-based artist Takiru, alongside an original solo offering from label boss Elif.
Referencing the wildly imaginative notes and markings made in the margins of books dating back to the 11th century, the EP’s aptly-titled second offering, Run Wild, sees Elif team up with close friend and fellow Barcelona-based artist Althoff. Championing a sinister, medieval sound palette that’s founded on raw, organic house and melodic techno sentiments, the pair’s inaugural collaboration is a masterclass from the off and one that fully embraces the label’s sound and ethos. Deliciously fluid and wholly authentic, Run Wild is primed for late-night listening and already looks set to enter into the selections of dance music’s international touring elite. We sat down with Elif to find out more!
Hello Elif, welcome to METAL! How are you and where do you answer us from?
Hello, hello. Thanks for having me. I’m very good and answering from my home in Barcelona.
You're launching your new label, Marginalia, which you describe as "a new home for both emerging and established artists to express their unbridled creativity within a framework of absolute sonic freedom." Tell us, when did you come up with this idea? How long have you been working on this exciting project?
The idea to build a community of artists around the umbrella of a label is nothing new for me, nor in the industry. I always had the intention of taking this step at some point in my career. It was more of a moment of alignment between the right timing, resources, network, etc. The first concrete intention of starting my own label came almost a year ago, and I have been passively and actively working on realising this intention for almost a year now.
Creating the concept, the visual and sonic world of the label, the ideals and community behind it is a process that is pushing me to the limits of my comfort zone, but one that is also giving me huge satisfaction at the same time. It’s a very exciting project indeed.
Creating the concept, the visual and sonic world of the label, the ideals and community behind it is a process that is pushing me to the limits of my comfort zone, but one that is also giving me huge satisfaction at the same time. It’s a very exciting project indeed.
Representing a forward-thinking community that looks to discover and bolster the profiles of the hardest working, Marginalia establishes a platform to support, nurture and develop the incredible output of producers. What are the three fundamental pillars on which this initiative is built and what makes it different from other labels?
I have been travelling and playing a lot of music over the last two years, playing records from a community of talented artists who are not touring that much but are mostly in their studios. This is not always a choice, but sometimes, there’s no booking demand for the most incredible producers in the world. Our scene’s ecosystem is built in a way that touring as a DJ is a main income source and music production is like a tool for promotion. I think this is creating a lot of imbalances and injustice in the industry and it’s threatening even the existence of our scene.
One might be the best DJ in the world, but without the amazing music these talented people create in their studios, what can they play? We need the music and it’s the most important thing for me. Most big labels don’t really invest in young artists but they invest in projects. They’d rather accept ghost-produced music from famous names rather than incredible music from new and upcoming artists. I think the producers deserve the spotlight, and even if I cannot change the way the scene works by myself at the beginning, I can at least share the spotlight I am getting with my talented friends.
One might be the best DJ in the world, but without the amazing music these talented people create in their studios, what can they play? We need the music and it’s the most important thing for me. Most big labels don’t really invest in young artists but they invest in projects. They’d rather accept ghost-produced music from famous names rather than incredible music from new and upcoming artists. I think the producers deserve the spotlight, and even if I cannot change the way the scene works by myself at the beginning, I can at least share the spotlight I am getting with my talented friends.
Do you think the hardest-working artists are the ones who get the most recognition, or not always?
No, not always. Recognition comes with a mixture of a lot of things. Talent, consistency, network, hard work, but also luck.
Marginalia looks to contribute to the ongoing development of underground electronic music in both a refreshing and sustainable new way. What are your plans and goals a year from now?
To release as much amazing music from my talented friends as possible, to start doing label showcases to be able to book them, and expose their music to my fans and as wide an audience as possible.
Last question, what advice would you give to all those who dream of making a name for themselves in the electronic music scene?
Find your unique strengths, be aware of your weaknesses and be yourself while capitalizing on your strengths.
