Interview with Bipolar Architecture

1. Hello guys! I am happy you accepted my invitation to do this interview. How have you been? Are you excited to finally bring “Bipolar Architecture” to Romania for the first time?

Hi there! Yes, we are very good and really excited for our first appearance in Romania!

2. How did everything start? How did you guys meet, since the band is formed by members who live both in Turkey and Germany? How do you manage to collaborate across borders?

Everything started with the idea of creating a project that is not limited by one genre and to create a unique sound. Then I (Sarp) formed the band with Enes and Marcus (our former guitarists) and met with Fatih, our drummer. For half of the year, we are together because of Visa issues for Fatih who lives in Istanbul. But the rest of the band lives in Berlin now. Our guitarist Stefanos and Niklas. It is sometimes hard to keep it working.

We had a bit setback before the show because of European Visa policies against Turkish and our drummer Fatih would not get a visa from Germany. That’s why we will come with our session drummer and friend Oshan for the show. Except that we are good.

3. Which of you came up with the name of the band “Bipolar Architecture” and why?

Me (Sarp), founder of the band came up with this name for the band to express the bipolar sides of humans by psychological, sentimental, and philosophical aspects. Also for the sound of the band, there is bipolarity from Black Metal parts to Post-Rock parts.

4. I’ve had your latest album Metaphysicize on repeat for quite a few weeks, and I only have one word about it: A-MA-ZING! Can you tell us about the creative process behind it and what themes you explore on the record?

Thank you! This album is like the continuation of the first album “Depressionland” by the meaning and the sound. We wanted to take the first album concept as sound and meaning again but to progress it to the next level.

Also, with the joining of our drummer Fatih before the 2nd album gave us so much room with grooves and fast blast beat parts. The first album was about the bipolar feelings and states of humans based on personal experiences.

In the 2nd album, we wanted to express what to do with those and how to use what we have. The feelings, mental states, dilemmas… Both the sound and the concept eventually graded more mature and more intense compared to the first album then.

5. If I am not mistaken, last year you signed with Pelagic Records. Last year you signed with Pelagic Records. How has this collaboration impacted your creative process or reach compared to your previous label(s)?

Yes. Our previous label Dunk! Records is also a very good and known boutique Post-Rock/Post-Metal genres-focused label in Belgium. But of course, Pelagic Records is more wide stream and owned by Robin from The Ocean and he really knows what he is doing. Also for us particularly, it is one of the best choices for sure.

They always support us in positive way, and they like what we do and so let us be free in the album process. We are very happy to be in Pelagic family.

Photographer: Esra Atakan

6. On the album, there is a song with lyrics in Turkish, and to be honest, it is great to see bands playing songs in other languages than English. Is there a reason why you chose to do that?

When recording the album I felt like that song needs to be expressed in Turkish, a language I like by literal aspects besides being my mother tongue. The song is about existential anxiety and it just felt right I told the guys and they found it authentic then we said why not?

7. I had the pleasure of seeing you perform live in Athens almost two years ago, and it was awesome. What can the Rockstadt audience expect from your live show?

Yes, that was a nice gig really. Nothing less but more I would say as we are playing mostly the songs from the 2nd album “Metaphysicize”!

8. Since it’s your first time here, is there anything in particular you’re looking forward to experiencing while you’re in Romania?

It will be a very interesting experience for us of course as it will be the first time. We’re really looking forward to experience Romania on short notice. I also heard a lot cause my aunt is from Romania and telling me stories about there. I also. Think that we should have similarities by culture with Turkish culture. We will see soon!

9. That’s it! I hope you guys had a great time answering these questions see you in less than 5 days at Rockstadt, precisely on the 31st of July on Andrei Calmuc’s stage! The last words belong to you :)

Thank you for making the interview and your time. We’re looking forward to be there very soon and see the Romanian audience for the first time to share our songs and feelings with them.