Derya Yıldırım and Grup Şimşek are internationally recognised for their unique and infectious sound that combines Anatolian folk with psychedelia, pop and soul influences. They have released two albums and one EP since their start in 2014 and have been touring extensively throughout Europe.
The band is fronted by Hamburg-born singer and bağlama player Derya Yıldırım. Despite being multilingual, Yıldırım exclusively sings in Turkish: “It’s really important to me because that’s the language I can really express myself in, it’s my emotional language” she explains.
Graham Mushnik (organ, synthesizers) and Antonin Voyant (guitar, bass, and flute) are both members of outer-national collective Catapulte Records, known for their cinematic, groovy atmospheres — a clear influence on Grup Şimsek’s sprawling, vintage-tinged compositions.
Capetonian drummer Helen Wells has introduced her own style and sensibilities from the South African DIY and psychedelic scenes into the live set since 2022.
Newly signed to Big Crown Records, with their third full length being produced by Leon Michels (El Michels Affair) and extensive worldwide tour plans on the books, Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek will soon be reaching new ears around the globe.
Catch Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek on Boogie Beat Suite for an exclusive Studio 5 Live performance on Tuesday March 10. Tune in from 11am for their special set and interview with MzRizk here.
