Ali Bakgor, Marsias & CELIK Take Us Inside the Making of ‘They Know My Name’

Both hailing from Turkey, the producers have carved out a space in the global dance scene with a sound that blends melodic storytelling, deep grooves, and club‑ready energy.

For Ali Bakgor, the journey began in Bursa, where his sleek, cinematic productions, like “Ocean,” “Found it With You,” and “Broken Love,” quickly caught the ears of dance music giants including Tiësto, Martin Garrix, and Don Diablo. With more than 110 million streams, Ali’s tracks are staples on Spotify’s top electronic playlists, resonating with fans who crave both atmosphere and impact.

Meanwhile, in Istanbul, Marsias has been crafting a melodic world of his own. Tracks like “Echo,” “Alibi,” and “On My Own” showcase a signature sound that’s progressive, emotional, and designed for both headphones and festival speakers alike. With nearly 10 million streams and collaborations alongside Parah Dice, Gianluca Dimeo, and Ali Bakgor, his music carries the same sense of global wanderlust as the artists who inspired him.

Their paths, which started with casual online exchanges and shared project files, have now evolved into a creative partnership that feels effortless. Their latest track, “They Know My Name”, a three‑way collaboration with CELIK, is the strongest reflection of that connection yet. Built on uplifting, melodic techno melodies, driving rhythms, and an alluring male vocal that lingers long after the drop, the track captures the essence of what all three stand for: emotive, globally minded dance music that leaves a mark on listeners everywhere.

Ali and Marsias, you’ve worked together a few times now. How did this collaboration come about a few years ago, and what made you click as a team?

Ali: I first connected with Marsias a few years ago through social media. We had been following each other’s music for a while, and we quickly realized we shared a similar approach—chasing emotion through melodies and storytelling in electronic music. From our first collaboration, the chemistry was natural. We just clicked, and that made us want to keep creating together.

Marsias: My first collaboration with Ali started years ago through Discord. We used to share our music projects with each other there, casually at first. Over time, we realized that our musical tastes had really aligned — stylistically, we were on the same wavelength. That natural connection led us to start working together. We’ve grown a lot by constantly learning from each other and building on each other’s ideas.

What’s the creative chemistry like when you’re in the studio together? And for your third track, just released, “They Know My Name,” did the process feel any different this time?

Ali: When we’re in the studio together, the process flows naturally. One of us might bring in an idea, and the other would take it somewhere unexpected. With “They Know My Name,” it felt more intuitive than ever. Since it’s our third track together, we’ve built a solid creative rhythm. And with CELIK joining this time, the energy shifted in a really exciting way—it became more dynamic, more collaborative.

Marsias: Since we've been on the same creative path for a while now, there's never really been a struggle with chemistry. We genuinely enjoy each other’s work, which makes everything flow naturally.

“They Know My Name” definitely feels different than our previous tracks. Our earlier collaborations were more emotional and chill in tone, whereas this latest one has much higher energy. It’s more upbeat, designed with a festival vibe in mind. We really wanted to push that dynamic sound this time around.

Your music has this emotional, melodic energy with a global feel. I am curious, where does that emotion come from?

Ali: My music comes from a personal place. I usually produce at night, when everything feels a bit more raw and honest. Whether it’s something I’ve experienced or just a melody that triggers a memory, I always try to translate that feeling into music. For me, it's about making people feel something real.

Marsias: Sometimes, when we’re working on a track, it’s a single vocal or a lead sound that shapes the entire direction of the song. That one element can carry so much emotion and inspiration that everything else builds around it. I think that’s where the feeling really comes from. Also, listening to a wide range of music over the years has taught me how to guide a track emotionally — knowing where to take it and how to let it evolve is a key part of the process.

You’ve both built big audiences on Spotify and other streaming platforms. When you produce, do you ever think about playlists and global listeners, or do you just follow the vibe?

Ali: Of course, playlists and global listeners are important, but I try not to let that guide the creative process. I focus on the vibe first—what the track wants to say. If it feels authentic and emotionally strong, I trust it will find the right audience naturally. I think honesty in music always resonates.

Marsias: I always try to finish a track based on my initial feelings and instincts — that’s where the core of creativity comes from. After that, I shape the arrangement into something that can really work on stage, something I’d be excited to play live. It becomes a balance between what I personally want to express and what I know the audience will connect with.

CELIK, this is your first time teaming up with Ali Bakgor and Marsias, and your debut on the iconic Magik Muzik. What drew you to their sound, and how did it feel bringing “They Know My Name” to life together?

CELIK: I'm really happy to be working with Ali Bakgor and Marsias on this project. They've been like older brothers to me, always guiding and supporting me through the process. Collaborating with them has been a truly exciting experience. Also, having my debut on Magik Muzik feels amazing. It’s an iconic label that I've always respected, so being part of their roster is such an honor for me.

When we started working on They Know My Name, we wanted to reflect on how the melodic techno scene is evolving. Recently, rap-influenced vocals have become more prominent, blending in with deep, atmospheric productions. This track is a combination of that new energy and our own style. It’s powerful, vocal-driven, and built to connect with the crowd both emotionally and rhythmically. Bringing it to life with Ali and Marsias makes the whole journey even more special.

If this track were a dish, what ingredients did each of you add to make it taste like a perfect three way collab?

Ali: I brought a more atmospheric, cinematic layer to this track—especially in the breakdown and outro sections. I wanted to deepen the emotional impact and create a sense of space. Each of us added something different, but because we were all on the same wavelength, the track came together cohesively.

Marsias: From my perspective, Ali and CELIK were the ones who brought along the recipe. They laid out how the dish should be made. I came in to add flavor and presentation. So while they set the foundation, I focused on giving it that final taste and visual appeal to make it truly stand out.

CELIK: If this track were a dish, I’d say Ali brought the rich, melodic spices that give it depth and warmth, Marsias added the rhythmic crunch that keeps it moving and dynamic, and I seasoned it with dark synth flavors and tension-building FX that give it that final, unforgettable kick. Together, it turned into a perfectly balanced three-way recipe—intense, groovy, and emotional.

Is there a global name each of you would love to work with? And Ali, rumor says you’ve got an EP on the horizon—can we get a little sneak peek at what’s coming?

Ali Bakgor: I’d love to work with artists like Camelphat or Kaskade one day. Their approach to music, the energy they bring to their sets, and the emotion in their production really inspire me. As for the EP—yes, the rumor is true! It’s a collection of melodic, slightly darker, emotionally driven tracks, with some exciting collaborations. I’ll be sharing more details very soon.

Marsias: Of course, collaborating with any big name would be amazing for me, but if I had to choose just one, it would be Armin Van Buuren. He was a great inspiration.

CELIK: For me, one of the names that I would absolutely love to work with is SCRIPT. I’ve been impressed and inspired by his sound lately. His tracks have a distinct energy that I admire, and it would be incredible to collaborate with him in the future.