Istanbul-born and Amsterdam-based, Beste is DJ and producer whose adventurous spirit and classical training in cello and piano fuel her hypnotic, fast-paced, and dark approach to techno. Since moving to Amsterdam in 2019, she has become a rising force in the underground scene, with standout performances at De School, Vault Sessions, Awakenings, ADE, and the legendary Berghain. Known for crafting immersive, full-sensory journeys in her sets, Beste blends discipline, intuition, and experimentation to captivate audiences worldwide. Ahead of her Meat Free debut we wanted to know exactly what Beste considers the best.
You’re in high demand as a DJ, and are fast becoming revered as a producer – for you what’s the best way to get yourself in the zone for both? How do your rituals and processes differ for getting in the right headspace for a DJ set vs. getting into the studio?
For me it’s all about creating a bubble around myself. When I’m preparing for a DJ set, I like to imagine the flow of the night, the energy I want to bring and how I can tell a story with it. It’s also very physical preparation I need to feel rested, grounded, and in tune with my body, because it’s about giving my energy to the crowd.
In the studio it’s the opposite it’s more introspective, like going into my inner world. I can be completely alone for hours, playing cello or piano, recording layers and textures, and letting emotions lead the way. So one side is about sharing energy outward, and the other is diving deep inward.
You’ve been doing some super cool B2B’s this summer season – which as we all know needs a lot of components to come together in the right way for them to really work. What do you think makes for the best kind of B2B’s, what are the ingredients for magic?
The best B2Bs are about trust and chemistry. You have to really listen to each other, not only the music but the energy behind it. I love when both DJs leave enough space for each other, instead of trying to push their own agenda. It becomes like a conversation sometimes playful, sometimes deep but always with respect. If you have that balance and curiosity, the magic just happens naturally.
Your influences are so varied, being classically trained as well as having honed your DJing and production craft for so long. It’s a unique and diverse musical journey. Do you have a memory from when you were younger when you had the best personal musical experience (either classical, or club) that inspired you to want to make this your life?
I still remember being a teenager, sitting at the piano in my parents’ house, and feeling for the first time that music could express something I couldn’t put into words. Later, when I discovered the club world, I had a similar feeling but in a completely different dimension being on the dancefloor and realizing how collective energy could transform you. Those two worlds shaped me. They made me want to dedicate my life to creating those moments whether it’s intimate and emotional, or raw and powerful.
There’s so much incredible talent coming out of your current hometown of Amsterdam, could you give us some hot tips on some of the best DJs or producers we might not have heard of yet?
Amsterdam is full of inspiring artists! Haumea is a young talent in terms of production, very creative in his approach. Vinzsosa is a very skilled DJ with a wide archive and strong musical identity. And I-ro is definitely among the talented DJs to watch. Being surrounded by such a scene keeps me constantly motivated to grow as well. There is still a lot that i could mention but gonna be a long list then 🙂
Finally, what’s the best sound in the world to you… the dancefloor in Amsterdam or the sea in Turkey … 😉
That’s such a hard one! The sea in Turkey will always have a place in my heart it’s where I grew up, where I find peace and a connection to my roots. But nothing compares to the sound of the dancefloor in Amsterdam when everything clicks the crowd, the music, the energy it’s like being carried by one big wave. So maybe my favorite sound is the combination of both. Balancing me as a person right now who I am 🙂
