Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Ata Benli: I born in Istanbul / Turkey. Being a musician was not my goal at then. I have always wanted to be an actor. I managed to become one at my youth. I have been on lots of different TV series in Turkey. Then I went to Florence / Italy to become an architect. Why not a major career right? After graduation I came back to Istanbul and try to work with my profession. On the other hand I was trying to catch some beat from my heart and decide to go on with music. Now I am a producer and dj in my country. Have a great lead singer, Irem Figen and we tour the country with her.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Ata Benli: Maybe why not? If it is for public benefit or citizen rights, sure I may.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Ata Benli: Always dream big as usual? I do not think so… Always try to promote and never give up. Self confidence is a must in our industry. People will try to take you down but only important thing is that how much you can overcome with that. Then it becomes your guardian.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Ata Benli: Mistakes are the goofs of our job. Of course sometimes it depends on you, sometimes it is your partner. I always try to catch up with the beat again and pretend I did that conciously. Not too much!
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Ata Benli: As started new, we just been on 4 different cities. Nothing complicated yet…
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Ata Benli: When I am at home. Always inspiration and great beats come to my mind when I am at home.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Ata Benli: Yes we have. www.atairem.com is our main page. We use iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, YouTube & Fizy mostly for distrubition.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Ata Benli: Britney Spears – One More Time for sure!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Ata Benli: Yes. We are moving to another studio with more opportunuties and space! Hope I give you updates from here when we move.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Ata Benli: Social media is the new power in our generation. Instagram, Twitter & Facebook pages and shares is our main promotion keys. Of course then our fans carry the rest!
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Ata Benli: Always hoped to do that with Missy Elliot at Madison Square Garden in NYC. I do not know why but I know it will be awsome!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Ata Benli: Yes. We are working on our next single for February and we will be on TV shows later in March with our songs. So stay tuned!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Ata Benli: As an architect, I think i would do that. From time to time I am still working on some architectural projects too. But music is more my type actually.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Ata Benli: My wife of course! How can I forget that ha!
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2017?
Ata Benli: New tours in different cities, new songs with more beats coming up. And a special world famous guest star featuring this summer with me! That is going to be amazing.
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
Always thanks to my wife Eda Naz Benli for being my side. My family supported me with my changeble career desicions. Thank you fans for being there and buy our songs! You are the awsome ones for sure!
