Audeze speaks with musician and DJ Goldcap

November 08, 2021

Audeze speaks with musician and DJ Goldcap

Berge Sahakian is a life long musician who in 2010 began a career as a DJ/producer fusing traditional world music with modern electronic grooves under the alias “Goldcap.”
 
DJ Goldcap at work with his LCD-XC headphones
"The Audeze headphones have become an essential tool in my studio... I can’t imagine mixing my projects without them now."  -Goldcap
Here's our talk with Berge:
Can you pick out any favorites from your work that you're particularly proud of?

If i had to choose a couple that i'm incredibly proud of, i would say my first original track titled “Mirage”, as well as a remix i made for Aeonix called “Joe Divina.”

How did you get started in music? What kind of music did you listen to while growing up and how has that progressed?

i started with classical piano training at the age of 5, moved to rock music in my early teenage years and learned the electric and acoustic guitar, bass as well as drums. Towards my late teens i began to explore more world music which set me on my lifelong addiction to finding rare music from the farthest corners of the world. Being a touring musician, i have been fortunate to be in countries all around the globe, which allows me to feed my other addiction... collecting musical instruments. My collection is somewhere around 150 unique instruments from many different countries and cultures. All these different sounds are openings to the music i make at home.

Can you name any factors you feel majorly influenced the course of your musical life? Heroes, role models, moments, interactions, etc?

There are so many artists i consider heroes but it's too long to list unfortunately. But i have always found myself referring to “The Doors” as far as my musical heroes. The 60s rock movement was a huge inspiration to me since my earliest days.

Is there any gear you find yourself turning to most when working on a project? What are some of your favorite tools/instruments recently?

As i stated earlier, i have a vast collection of unique instruments from around the world, so really it just depends on what mood i'm in on that particular night of working. Lately i have been gravitating to my vintage organs, the banjo, and Malian drums and percussion.

Do you have any words of wisdom for people who might aspire toward a similar path for their own careers?

i would just recommend being honest. Honesty in music is everything to me. Music should not be made because it is a popular style, or sound like an artist you love. Your music should be unique to you, and come from the deepest depths of your emotional well.

How long have you been working with headphones, and how do you typically use them in your workflow?

Since i was probably 10 years old, headphones changed my life. Even the cheap set that you would give to a child, which i was. It didn't matter if i was at school, or a family gathering, or anywhere else. Once i put those headphones on, i was transported to another world; Somewhere i felt safe and understood, and because the auditory experience was only living in me in that moment, it felt like i had a secret that nobody else could know. Nowadays headphones are an essential tool as a DJ and music producer, so quality is crucial.

How have your Audeze headphones affected your work?

The Audeze headphones have become an essential tool in my studio... i can’t imagine mixing my projects without them now. The quality is far beyond anything i’ve used up til now. i highly recommend them to anyone in the music production industry.