To mark the end of 2018, The Rave Exchange is travelling the world to reflect on the year of a series of DJs and Producers from every corner of the planet. From summer memories to personal achievements – we dig deep into the past 12 months and discuss future plans of some of our favourite emerging talents.
Artist Name: Mert Butuner
Highlight of 2018: “Inferno” reaching 37k streams on Spotify and Blasterjaxx supporting it.
Happy memory from this summer: Chilling on the beach when I was in Turkey.
Happy memory from this winter: Playing alongside Tom Staar in Manchester.
The most difficult thing you’ve done this year: Overcoming depression and the writer’s block it caused. It’s still something I’m working on.
Your new year’s resolution last year: I believe it was releasing a few tracks that I’m happy with and increasing the time I spent in the studio.
How long did it last? It lasted pretty much the whole year and looking back, I have definitely grown in many ways. I have learnt new skills and improved the existing ones, but I feel like I can do better next year
Your new year’s resolution this year: Being able to work on my music more and improving the quality of my tracks.
How long is it going to last? Hopefully, the whole year.
Your musical goal for 2019: I want to get 3-4 releases on an A-list label and to play more DJ gigs.
A new skill or hobby you’d like to get into: Playing the piano as fluently as I used to when I was younger.
Your dream Christmas present: Tickets to Tomorrowland 2019
Favourite festive food: Anything with chocolate and/or alcohol.
Your NYE plans: Nothing major really, just going out with friends.
Public figure of the year: Elon Musk
Movie/TV show of the year: Westworld and Daredevil
Artist or label to watch in 2019: RetroVision and Jordan Jay
Something you learned in 2018: You need to put in the hours. Keep working and be obsessed to achieve something.
A prediction about the world in 2019: More easily offended and triggered people I guess…
And lastly, your favourite Christmas song: Not really a fan of any of them! They get old after a while but if I had to choose, I would go with Carol of the Bells, as there are some great epic orchestral versions of it.
Mert Butuner Online
www.soundcloud.com/djmertbutuner
www.instagram.com/djmertbutuner
