Istanbul, Turkey
Mehmet
Akar
Electronic music producer & DJ. Founder and instructor at SonarHouse Electronic Music School.
The journey
From comic strips to Frisky Radio, from Ankara's Faceless to a workshop with Sasha and Richie Hawtin — two decades of production, DJing and teaching.
A creative streak begins
Long before music, Mehmet's artistic ability showed in drawing — comic strips and cartoons became his first creative outlet.
First set, first residency
While at university, Mehmet made his first tracks. His debut set was picked up by Frisky Radio and turned into a monthly residency — the true beginning of his production career.
First releases, first club
Original productions landed on Manual Music, LNOE, Perspectives, Stripped, Global Underground, Extima and Mango Alley, charting on Beatport with support from premium DJs worldwide. His first DJ gig followed at Ankara's best-known club, Faceless.
Burn Energy Drink & a workshop with Sasha
Mehmet won the "Next Producer Star Remix" contest hosted by Burn Energy Drink. Sasha personally selected him to join Burn Studios for a special workshop with Sasha and Richie Hawtin at the SEA Institute.
Nearly 100 releases, five continents
Close to a hundred tracks followed across digital stores, alongside DJ sets and free releases for fans. Radio play and releases carried his sound to clubs in Argentina, Bulgaria, Russia, Romania, Cyprus, Tunisia and Thailand.
Tamirci Karaköy & the Beatgate crew
At home, Mehmet held a residency at Tamirci Karaköy, one of the era's legendary underground clubs, introducing a deep and dark house/techno sound to Istanbul. Through Tamirci he met the Beatgate crew and went on to play Indigo, Kafes, Module, Koma and Karantina Alaçatı.
Into music technology
Mehmet entered the sound and music technology industry, launching an e-commerce project for Turkey's largest PA company — within four years, the number one site in its field. He also served as brand manager for Pioneer DJ and Allen & Heath, gaining rare, hands-on expertise in music equipment.
SonarHouse is founded
Mehmet founded SonarHouse Electronic Music School in Istanbul, teaching Ableton and DJing. In a short time, SonarHouse became the city's leading electronic music school.
Played across five continents
From Istanbul's underground to international club floors — Mehmet's sets have travelled far beyond Turkey.
- ArgentinaInternational
- BulgariaInternational
- RussiaInternational
- RomaniaInternational
- CyprusInternational
- TunisiaInternational
- ThailandInternational
- Faceless, AnkaraTurkey
- Tamirci KaraköyResidency
- Indigo, Kafes, Module, KomaIstanbul
- Karantina AlaçatıTurkey
Discography
Original productions and remixes released across well-known electronic music labels, charted on Beatport and supported by premium DJs worldwide.
SonarHouse Electronic Music School
Mehmet teaches Ableton Live and DJing, guiding students toward becoming qualified producers and DJs. In a short time, SonarHouse and its team built a reputation as the best electronic music school in the city.
Many SonarHouse graduates have gone on to release their own tracks and perform at well-known venues — not only in Istanbul, but across other Turkish cities.
Currently
Still chasing the best version of the music — and himself.
After two decades in the studio, on stage and in the classroom, Mehmet is now developing his new project, Stamp Music, and continues producing and releasing new work.