Gaye Su Akyol’s critically acclaimed first international album Hologram Ĭmparatorluğu (Glitterbeat, 2016) established her as one of Turkey’s most compelling new voices, her music effortlessly straddling diverse genres such as rock, folk and Turkish classical music. She spent the next few years touring the globe with her band, showcasing her vibrant live abilities: a surreal, […]
Friday, 1stFebruary, will mark twenty years since one of Turkey’s most influential singer-songwriters and TV personalities Barış Manço passed away from a heart attack aged 56. Characterised by his long hair, horseshoe moustache and flamboyant jewellery, he was adored by Turks of all ages. During his 37-year career, Manço composed over 200 songs, and recorded […]
A pioneer of rock music in Turkey and one of the founders of the Anatolian rock genre, Barış Manço is the best-selling, most awarded and most influential Turkish artist of all time. As a recording artist, Manço’s songs were translated into multiple languages including English, French, German, Japanese, Greek, Italian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Hebrew, Urdu and […]
I finally had the chance to listen to the legendary Turkish musician Selda Bağcan live at her recent concert at KOKO in Camden. I have known of her since my early childhood (the 90s), thanks to my parents who admire her just like many other people their age in Turkey. Today, it’s funny to think […]
Iconic singer-songwriter Selda Bağcan is enjoying a huge resurgence in her career. The queen of 70s Turkish Psychedelic Rock has been sampled by the likes of Mos Def and Dr Dre, and is now a regular on the international live music circuit, exposing a new generation to her blend of Anatolian Folk Punk-Rock Protest music. […]
Deep within their unruly, freedom-loving psychedelic vibe, there is a particularness about BaBa ZuLa’s world that I love. Their front covers are always carefully considered and stunningly constructed. They are particular about their experimental sound, which never fits into any one genre but effortlessly brings together Western and Eastern beats. And the lyrics for […]
Currently on their Do NOT Obey XX world tour, sonic rebels BaBa ZuLa return to the capital for an exclusive gig at the award-winning venue Under the Bridge, in southwest London on Thursday 27th April. Renowned for their ritual-like performances, expect a tantalizing audio-visual feast of Anatolian electro dub beats, belly dancers, elaborate costumes, […]
Hakan Tuna’s new single Sevdiğim is out today. A mid-tempo track, it carries the London musician’s signature sound: a nostalgic nod to classic Anatolian Rock, with psychedelic pop keys and indie guitar rhythms that are very much rooted in the present day. Sevdiğim [Whom I Love] was written in 1976 by Özer Şenay, a […]
Gaye Su Akyol’s second album takes you to places that no current Turkish artist has done before. It’s not just the diversity of sounds that you find on Hologram İmparatorluğu that makes it so unique, but how she has beautifully melded Turkish classical music, Anadolu pop, surf music, dub, punk and psychedelic rock on individual […]
If you’ve ever wanted a taste of authentic Anatolian music, then look no further than Erkan Oğur, Bülent Ortaçgil and İsmail Hakkı Demircioğlu. Turkey’s three legendary folk musicians will be live in London next month. The trio will be performing at the magnificent Grade II-listed Islington Assembly Hall on Sunday 27 November. Expect a masterful […]
