Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek recently released their new record "Yarın Yoksa". The album follows the acclaimed releases, "Dost 2" (2022) and "Kar Yağar" (2019), and was recorded in New York City. Ilo Toerkell met Derya Yıldırım and Helen Wells from the group to speak about working with Anatolian classics, folk music as resistance and the bağlama in Germany.
The Berlin-based singer Güner Künier is about to release her new record "Yaramaz". On the album, the artist embraces her heritage, singing in Turkish for the first time, and rejects societal expectation of women. Author Anna Grubauer spoke to Güner Künier about what's behind "Yaramaz".
The Ukrainian singer and composer Ganna Gryniva retells stories from Ukrainian folklore. Based in Berlin, she elaborates on tradition with jazz and electronic elements like loops and synthesisers. In conversation with Sophie Romy, she speaks about her songwriting process and her ways of incorporating tradition into music.
The Palestinian-American alt-pop artist Lana Lubany just released her new EP "YAFA", named after her hometown. It follows the acclaimed "The Holy Land", which garnered the singer international attention. Ahead of her headlining show in Berlin, Lana Lubany shares her thoughts on "YAFA", the meaning of community and how she found anger to be a useful source of power.
The Kenyan-British singer and producer mau from nowhere released his new EP "SOFT STEPS" blending genres from Afro-fusion to RnB and electronic soundscapes. Danielle Holian spoke to the artist about his approach to songwriting, musical roots, and the ability to forgive yourself.
The UK-based singer-songwriter Ruti just released their new single "Break My Own Heart". Following an EP release and multiple live shows, the artist has gained quite the audience for their impressive vocals and tender compositions. We spoke to the emerging talent.
The internationally known British-Nigerian artist and curator Zina Saro-Wiwa just made her musical debut as SIRA*. The record "Songs for the End of the World" draws on her multidisciplinary approach to art and non-profit organising work. We spoke to Zina about musical influences from her homeland, African environmentalism and practices of deep listening.
Singer and composer Sheherazaad releases her second EP "Qasr" produced by Arooj Aftab. Not belonging to any existing category of sound, Sheher embodies the in-between, a diasporic sound and third-culture reclaimation of Indian classical music. We talk to the artist about imagined homelands, language, and her nomadic voice.
