“I use my voice as a mouthpiece for those who feel unseen”

Derya Yıldırım & Group Şimşek embodies Turkish folk music in a modern dimension. The band is currently touring Australia and New Zealand to present their new album “Yarin Yaksa”. Lead singer Derya Yildirim grew up as the daughter of Turkish parents in the music city of Hamburg and talks about what it means for her to sing Anatolian folk music in a global context that goes beyond national borders.

Derya Yıldırım & Group Şimşek describe themselves as an “outernational” band that exists beyond geographical borders. Credit: Philomena Wolflingseder

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