- Introduce yourself to our readers!
Turkish musician, currently living in Brooklyn, NY. Left everything behind to study at Berklee College of Music, and I’ve been living in the States ever since.
- Your sound has been described as really unique electro-pop – how do you describe your sound yourself?
I think it’s a mixture of electronica and alternative pop.
- You were born in Istanbul and now you’re based in Brooklyn, how do both cultures influence your music?
I spent the first 19 years of my life in Istanbul. I inevitably carry that city’s influence wherever I go. And it is a remarkable city. I feel blessed to have been born there and lived there. Being exposed to Turkish culture and music for as long as I was shaped my identity as a musician. You can hear it in my accent, and when I can’t help but sneak in microtonal embellishments here and there when I sing. That’s because I started singing long before I moved here. But I didn’t focus much on writing music until I moved to the States. Maybe because of this, I feel more comfortable writing in English, even though it’s my second language. Making music is like keeping a journal to me, and I think living this double life in two very different countries gives my music that “unusual” quality.
- Who or what influences your music?
Life. I’m a very reflective and nostalgic person. I overanalyze my relationships, and I overthink every feeling. Music is an outlet in that sense. Sometimes I’m surprised when I think of a line- the kind that hits me out of the blue and I don’t understand how and when I thought of it first. But I think this is due to the fact that my brain constantly works at full speed and occasionally spits out these brief summaries of the cumulative ideas of the day. I make a song and the song becomes my resolution.
- You recently released a new EP, what was the recording process like for that?
It was a very isolated process most of the time. I record alone, in my home studio. The vocals are the most important part to me, and I tend to get really obsessive when it comes to perfecting the vocals. So there were lots of takes, edits, and overdubs etc. The writing part was the smoothest part of all but when it came to the production, it took me a while to figure out the sound. That’s when I brought in other musicians into the project. Once all the ideas were there and everyone added their own flavor into the songs, I opened the sessions one last time and just edited everything from start to finish before handing them over to the mix engineer.
- What’s your favorite track from that EP
“Love In The Dark” is the most intimate song I’ve ever written. But as a whole, “Free Fall” is my favorite.
- If you could collaborate with one other artist, who would it be and why?
Right now, it would be Flume. I’m fascinated by his musical mind. It would surely be an enlightening experience to collaborate with him. I think he approaches music in a way that is so very different from the way I do.
- What’s something that you think our readers should know about you?
I put all of me into my music and I make the music I want to make. It’s an urge that I follow. So I can’t always guarantee there will be a linear consistency when it comes to the genre from here on out. But I can assure you that it will always be “me”.
- If you could design your dream tour, who would it be and why?
This is a tough one. I don’t really have a dream tour I guess, but it would be really cool to share the stage with artists like Purity Ring, Grimes, ODESZA and Bat For Lashes.
- What are you listening to lately? (Artists, Playlists, Songs, Albums, etc.!)
I really love the new HAIM album. I recently discovered a new artist, Anne Dereaux – I listened to her single “Mourning” a lot this summer, it’s really special. I had to work on my artist visa application recently and through all the paperwork, Spotify’s “Deep Focus” playlist was on repeat.
- How can our readers find your music?
Social Media Links
Fun Questions:
- Coffee or tea?
Both. I start with coffee in the morning and switch to matcha or tea in the afternoon. 😀 But if I had to pick… Coffee.
- Go-To Karaoke Song?
“In The End” by Linkin Park
- Artist you can’t stop listening to?
Björk
- Planes or Trains? Planes
Song you wish you wrote? “Unravel” by Björk
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