Name: Alper Durmush aka IMPÉRIEUX
Nationality: Bulgarian
Occupation: Producer, DJ
Current Release: IMPÉRIEUX' Rezil is out February 21st 2025 via macro.

If you enjoyed this IMPÉRIEUX  interview and would like to know more about his music, visit him on Instagram, Facebook, Soundcloud, and bandcamp.   



What were some of the musical experiences which planted a seed for your interest in electronic music?

The first memory I have access to is my parents playing music at home, especially my dad.

But when I think about a recent one up to this date I'd have to mention the 2022 party 'Climate of Fear' in Berlin. It was a life altering experience. My idea of what could be played at events has completely changed, expanded.

Most genres of music make use of electronic production means. What does the term “electronic music” mean today, would you say?

When someone asks me what kind of music I’m doing, I also say electronic music, just to save them the time.

Anything danceable or glitch-oriented, even pop music I suppose.

I grew up mainly listening to electronic music but have of lately, along with others I've spoken to, been somewhat disappointed by most new releases. I'd be curious about your own view on this, the “creative health” of the scene and potential reasons for the disappointment.

I think that’s absolutely normal, not to be able to be “touched” because of the amount of music that comes out, the quantity is unimaginable

But I think it has less to do with the music but has more to do with circumstances, or of one's current feeling.

What were some of the recent releases, or performances of electronic music that left a deep impact on you?

Floating Point’s Cascade album, which contained the track "Ocotillo," was very interesting to listen to, I spent quite some time with it.



What kind of musical/sonic materials, and ideas are particularly stimulating for your work right now?

I find myself trying to sample classical music a lot lately. It gives me a very human feel and touching experience.

Where do most of your inspirations to create come from – rather from internal  impulses or external ones? Which current social / political / ecological or other developments make you feel like you need to respond as an artist?

Mainly by listening to other music, so I suppose from external ones.

I’m just a kid who is now an adult and still making music in his bedroom - not sure if I ever have this urge.

Music has become a lot more global, and incorporating elements from other parts of the world or the musical spectrum is commonplace. Do you still think there are city scenes with a distinct, unique sound? How does your local scene influence your work?

I don’t think I feel inspired by a scene or a city.

I find more inspiration in being alone and isolated - but sometimes also from killer parties. :-)

Today, electronic music has an interesting relationship between honouring its roots and exploring the unknown. What does the balance between these two poles look like in your music?

Having in mind that I have a default set for the DAW that I’m using that I have to build on every time I open it, is simultaneously lazy and pushing me to explore every time.

How much potential for something “new” is there still in electronic music? What could this “new” look like?

Not sure how much there is to discover something new musically but sonically I think there is a lot of potential.

What were some of the recent tools you bought, used, or saw/read about which changed your perspective about production, performing, and making music?

Elektron's Analog Rytm MKII had a major impact on my productions, sequencing: questioning movement, velocity in sounds.

Do you think that there is a limit to what can be done in sound design – and what defines these limits?

The paradox here is that your limit is your sound design.

In as far as it is applicable to your work, how would you describe the interaction between your music and DJing/DJ culture and clubs?  

I think unlike my productions which are often labelled more left-field and which is probably what I'm expected to play, I actually like playing really danceable music when DJing.

How, would you say are your live performances and your recording projects are connected at the moment? How do they mutually influence and feed off each other?  

Lately I have started making music that really makes me nod my head and dance.

Less detail, more energy. (Detail is everything) :)

Even if AI will not entirely replace human composition, it looks set to have a significant impact on it. What does the terms composing/producing mean in the era of AI, do you feel?

Me and a lot of fellow producers are already benefiting from it a lot.

The fact that it can randomise things endlessly, it opens new worlds that our small brains wouldn’t even come close to.

Are there approaches, artists, festivals, labels, spaces or anyone/-thing else out there who you feel deserve a shout out for taking electronic music into the future?

Huge admirer of the Hessle Audio guys, shout out to Ben, David and Kevin. Always testing the limits.