This mix accompanies the LISTENING THROUGH MIMAROĞLU episode, featuring director Serdar Kökçeoğlu discussing his work and the Mimaroglu project in particular. I originally had in mind a second episode with interviews with other musicians I met while in Istanbul, but for a variety of reasons not everyone was comfortable speaking for audio, or we were otherwise unable to find an opportunity to record. Of course there are also linguistic barriers. Save polished corporate aesthetics for the professionals, this podcast is more interested in something else. So instead I present İSTANBUL EKSPRES, a bonus mix of music from Istanbul artists old and new.
You can also read my interview with Ipek Gorgun. at www.acloserlisten.com
We spoke about some of her favorite Anatolian psychedelic bands, among other things. Since the 1990s, international music publications like the Wire have become hip to Turkish rock from the 60s and 70s. Artists from that era were often incorporating folk instruments from around the region into a rock ensemble context. But that's just one facet of Turkish musical heritage.
Sample-based producers like Group Ses, working in styles influenced by hip hop, trap, beat tapes, etc, make up a vibrant scene of crate diggers, mining the rich history of Turkish (and Ottoman) recordings.
İSTANBUL EKSPRES is my attempt to share some of this music. I don't claim any expertise, or pretense of exhaustive knowledge, just wanted to share the music and voices of the amazing artists I met in Istanbul.
cover image: Orhan Pamuk, The Museum of Innocence
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Episode 14: ISTANBUL EKSPRES mix [bonus]