IN CONVERSATION WITH MRAK
interview by SAMO ŠAJN
Carmine Conte, known as MRAK, is a visionary electronic musician and co-founder of Tale Of Us and Afterlife. With MRAK, he explores a more personal and experimental side of his artistry, blending techno, ambient, and cinematic sounds to create deep, immersive experiences. His music is all about emotion, atmosphere, and pushing creative boundaries.
full look TALENT’S OWN
What motivated you to launch the MRAK project, and how does it differ from your work with Tale Of Us in terms of creative expression?
MRAK was born from a need to go deeper into pure musical expression. During lockdown, the silence of the industry left me restless, but in that void, I found clarity. It wasn’t just about making music; it was about searching for something greater. Tale Of Us is about shared storytelling, while MRAK is a solo journey into the unknown. It’s not just music, it’s a meditation, a ritual, a dream that refuses to fade.
full look TALENT’S OWN
Who or what are some of your biggest influences in the electronic music scene, and how have they shaped your sound?
Vangelis' Blade Runner score was a revelation, cinematic, timeless, and otherworldly. Alan Silvestri, Harold Faltermeyer, and Ennio Morricone also shaped my sense of melody and atmosphere. Daft Punk redefined electronic music, and Dream Theater expanded my understanding of complexity and emotion. But my biggest influence is the constant search for something deeper within myself. Music, as Debussy said, is all around us, it’s just about listening.
You’ve mentioned a desire to explore personal and introspective themes in your music. How do you translate these themes into your tracks?
Music is a journey, not a destination. It’s about surrendering to the unknown and letting sound guide you. My spontaneous duet with Rosey Chan this summer showed that the process isn’t rushed; it’s about curiosity and allowing melodies to unfold naturally. Technically, I push hardware analog synths to their limits, layering sounds both digitally and analogically. This gives my music an organic, immersive, and deeply evocative quality, delivering not just sound but a state of being.
full look TALENT’S OWN
shirt COS
vest, tie, trousers, jewelry, shoes TALENT’S OWN
How important is collaboration in your creative process? Are there any artists or producers you’re eager to work with in the future?
Collaboration is essential, it pushes boundaries and challenges creative synergy. On stage, it’s an intense, dynamic exchange. In the studio, it’s a more introspective process. I’m drawn to musicians who bring raw, unique ideas. The future excites me most, the unknown voices, the artists who challenge everything I know and force me to evolve. That’s where true creation happens.
How do you approach live performances as MRAK? What elements do you focus on to create a memorable experience?
A live performance isn’t just about playing music, it’s about creating a moment, a dialogue between sound and emotion. I design my sets with space for spontaneity, structured yet fluid, allowing emotions to take center stage. Every show is an evolving journey shaped by the energy of the moment. The goal is always to create something immersive, truthful, and unforgettable.
trousers COS
top, jacket, accessories TALENT’S OWN
Your music often involves vivid imagery and strong atmospheres. How do you develop the soundscapes that define your tracks?
Sound is a canvas, I paint with frequencies, shaping light and shadow through melody and texture. Some tracks feel like vast landscapes, others like flickering light in the dark. Before a show, I might compose an intro to set the scene or decide to leave space for improvisation. The performance itself reveals the atmosphere, shaped by the crowd’s energy and movement. Every sound is intentional, meant to be seen, felt, and remembered.
As a co-founder of Afterlife, what vision do you have for the label’s future?
Afterlife is more than a label, it’s a living, breathing entity curated with care. Its strength lies in its attention to detail, artistic freedom, and constant evolution. With Interscope as a partner, we have full creative control, ensuring trust, emotion, and purpose remain at its core. It’s about creating something that lingers in the mind and spirit, where sound becomes memory.
Looking back on your journey, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned as an artist and producer? How do you see your artistry evolving?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I am not just an artist or producer, I am Carmine Conte, a musician. Labels don’t define me, the music does. Growth comes from discipline but also from embracing the unexpected. Moving forward, my evolution won’t follow trends but a deeper exploration of emotion, space, and time in music.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent MRAK
photography DANIEL SARS
styling ERIN GROSS and REBECCA DUMITRESCU
interview SAMO ŠAJN
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
location PARQ STUDIOS
