INTERVIEW with Wargasm Records (Istanbul)
Ghas of A World Divided bring us this interview with Charged Can, founder of Wargasm Records/Fest based in Istanbul.
Ghas: Hey Can! Tell us about your current projects, I know you’ve been busy!
Charged Can: Hi Ghas, DIE IN VAIN and REASON WHY, my two sibling bands! Happy to involve with those bands because we're doing our favorite two era of punk rock.
DIE IN VAIN live
G: I saw that you have been touring across Europe in the last few weeks. Can you tell us about that?
CC: Yes! We were on tour with DIE IN VAIN, we had total blast. It was covering Novi Sad, Berlin, Lübeck, Copenhagen and Goteburg. We played at To Be Punk Fest in Novi Sad and it was the original idea to start touring. All the hospitality was second to none.
G: Ive been to a few Wargasm fests and loved it. Let’s talk about the Istanbul punk scene and and the importance of having such a yearly festival?
CC: İstanbul punk scene could be the most non-reliable one on the whole planet. Always have big up and downs, dramas and such a horrible people around. We're always grateful to work with decent bands and people. That's why we're motivated somehow. Putting a festival like this, is a important part of it to gather all the punks, skins and weirdos at least once a year to catch their favorite acts.
G: What are some of the challenging aspects of being a punk in Istanbul vs Europe?
CC: Dealing with the people is the biggest challenge. It's hard to count on everyone even they want to participate to the scene. We expect solidarity and we don't want abusers, greedy people who don't really understand what's going on. Rising of the social media effects some around in a bad way. Some want fame, money, want to be on the screen. We've a thick red line that divide the bands that we don't want to deal with. That's why it's always challenging when we expect from others to be in DIY aspect
G: Tell us about what is coming up in 2025 in Istanbul in terms of shows or other projects
CC: The next Wargasm Fest will take a place at Karga as usual and it will be on November 7th-8th 2025. We have only one confirmed band for now, working for the rest. And we've couple of more shows on the first half of the new year.
