Meet ALEN | Music Producer – Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with ALEN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ALEN, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Discipline, for me, is what separates a musician from someone who simply plays music. Talent may be the spark, but discipline is the firewood that keeps the flame alive—day after day, year after year. From the outside, people often romanticize the creative process, thinking it’s all inspiration and emotion. But the truth is, most of the music I’ve created, the records I’ve worked on, and the performances I’ve delivered were all built on routine, commitment, and hours of invisible work.

Being a musician means embracing a life that rarely offers structure, so I had to create my own. Whether it was waking up early to practice drums before school as a teenager, or now, staying up late to finish a mix no one else will hear until weeks later, discipline has always been the quiet force that pushes me forward. It’s the reason I can trust myself to deliver when the pressure’s high, the deadline is tight, or the inspiration just isn’t there.

Moving to Los Angeles was a turning point in my life and career. That city didn’t just change me ,it broke me open and rebuilt me. I had to relearn everything I thought I knew about success, survival, and self-worth. LA taught me that talent alone isn’t enough. It taught me to compete without losing my soul, to network without losing my identity, and to stay grounded in a city that’s always in motion. The discipline I developed there wasn’t just musical, it was personal. It shaped the man behind the music.

It also taught me how to navigate the long, often lonely stretches of the artistic journey. There are days when you question your path. When your creativity feels blocked, or when the industry noise drowns out your inner voice. In those moments, discipline is my anchor. I don’t wait to feel inspired. I show up anyway—because I’ve learned that showing up creates inspiration, not the other way around.

Over the years, I’ve applied that mindset not just to practice, but to collaboration, to learning, and to constantly refining my craft. I’ve played for thousands and also for no one. I’ve been in million-streaming projects and obscure passion ones. But in every situation, the work ethic stays the same. The standard I hold myself to doesn’t depend on the stage size or who’s watching.

Discipline also helped me understand balance. Music isn’t just expression—it’s communication. And to communicate well, you need to be in tune with yourself. That means caring for your body, mind, and space. Especially now, after decades in music, I’ve realized that discipline isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what matters, with intention.

Most importantly, discipline gave me freedom. It might sound like a paradox, but when you’re disciplined in your practice, your preparation, your growth, you earn the right to improvise. To be free. To lose yourself in the moment on stage or in the studio, because the foundation is solid. That’s where the magic happens.

So yes—music is emotion, passion, and energy. But it’s also structure, repetition, and focus. That duality is what makes the journey so powerful. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art lives at the intersection of instinct and precision. I’m a drummer, a producer, and a mixing engineer—but more than that, I’m someone obsessed with building sound that makes people feel. Whether it’s a groove that hits in your chest or a vocal mix that carries the emotion just right, I’m chasing that invisible moment when everything locks in.

What sets me apart is probably the balance I’ve found between intuition and discipline. I don’t just rely on feel—I’ve spent decades refining my technical skills, from analog setups to modern plugin chains. That’s allowed me to move across genres and borders without losing my identity. I’ve worked on over 600 songs, 2 billion+ streams, and with artists from all over the world, but I still approach every project like it’s my first serious opportunity.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I started from the ground up, playing in bands, interning at studios, and saying yes to every gig big or small. I left my home country to start over in Los Angeles, which was humbling and brutal in all the right ways. There were long nights, financial struggles, cultural shifts but I stayed locked in. Discipline carried me where motivation couldn’t.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Stay consistent, stay curious, and let your work speak louder than your words. When you make music with love and honesty, people feel that, even if they don’t know why.

What I want the world to know is: this isn’t just a career for me. It’s a lifetime commitment. I build sound with soul. I treat every project like a legacy. And I’m just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting L.A. for a week, I’d show them both sides of the city—the soulful, creative undercurrent and the big cinematic energy everyone dreams about.

We’d start in Silver Lake and Echo Park, grab coffee, dig into some vinyl at Amoeba Music, and hit up a local show at The Echo or Hotel Café. One day would be all about music stores: we’d stop by Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard, spend way too long in the vintage room, then grab tacos at Leo’s Taco Truck to recover.

For the full L.A. experience, we’d definitely set aside a day for Universal Studios, ride some rides, soak in the movie magic, and maybe even do a full Disney day down in Anaheim if we’re feeling the nostalgia.

Sunsets at Griffith Observatory, golden hour drives through Mulholland Drive, and slow beach walks in Venice and Manhattan Beach would balance the chaos with peace. We’d explore Abbot Kinney, cruise the PCH, and maybe hang out in Pacific Beach if we decide to slide down to San Diego.

And of course, a few late nights in studios, rooftop hangs, and warehouse shows, because real L.A. isn’t just about where you go, it’s about who you create with

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely. If I had to give credit, it would go to Los Angeles. That city challenged me, broke me down, and rebuilt me with stronger foundations.

It taught me discipline, resilience, and how to survive in chaos while still staying true to my art. LA shaped not just my career, but my character.

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Image Credits
OZLEM