Time Out at 40

Nuri Bilge Ceylan | Elif Şafak | Sezen Aksu

Sezen Aksu

Sezen Aksu
The undisputed Queen of Turkish pop, Aksu has sold over 40 million records and had her best known hit 'Simarik' shamelessly ripped off in Holly Valance's 'Kiss Kiss'. Using her voice for more than just ditties, she has spoken out about a number of issues including women's rights, the environment and educational reform in Turkey.

How do you deal with being the most famous woman in Turkey? Do you ever wish you could be anonymous?
I have never taken myself, nor the effect I supposedly have on people, seriously. I’m lucky to have close friends and family around to keep me firmly grounded. It would be untrue if I said that I’d prefer to be anonymous. People in our profession are driven by an irrepressible desire to be noticed in the first place. The price of fame comes with the package.

Everybody’s dying to work with you, almost literally camping at your door. How do you pick who you’re going to work with?
The whole ‘camping outside my doorstep’ thing is a total fantasy! I’ve yet to find anyone lying on my doorstep. In fact, I’ve always been someone who’s quite accessible....
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Do you ever write a song in a particular state of mind only to listen to it later and find you can’t stand it?
Usually when I’m done with writing a song, my relationship with it naturally ends. The album-making phase requires a more technical process where the professional attitude comes into play. I know it isn’t possible, but once I'm done with a song, I wish I could just release it into the void and then immediately start another one. Sometimes, when I'm singing I feel like I’m voicing a sound as instinctive as the scream you utter when you burn yourself.

When people fall in love or experience pain, they often listen to your album ‘Sezen Aksu ’88’. What do you do?
I totally lose it, I don’t know what I am doing!

When you get up on stage there’s a huge crowd screaming your name. When everything’s over and you’re back home alone, how do you feel?
That anybody in her right mind wouldn’t be doing this.

Are your relationships with people guided by your musical aims or by your feelings?
I prefer to follow my heart; most of the time...Whenever I've tried to think strategically, I’ve ended up in a big mess.

Are there still some dreams you haven’t realized?
Yes, but they’re so childish and utopian that I’m ashamed to say what they are.

Istanbul is a very important theme in your songs. What do you like most about the city?
Every place has a distinct spirit and soul. Turkey in general – especially Anatolia – is something you could never stop writing and singing about.

What do you think is the most important development in the music industry in the last 40 years?
If you’re asking about Turkey, it would probably be copyright and intellectual property laws finally coming into effect and these issues being taken seriously. And as far the music industry in general is concerned, I suppose it would have to be the internet as it has broken down musical boundaries.

www.timeoutistanbul.com

Nuri Bilge Ceylan | Elif Şafak | Sezen Aksu