Olcay Bayir
Olcay Bayir is a London-based singer, songwriter, and composer of Kurdish origin from Turkey. Bayir’s music is a mixture of her original compositions and songs based on Anatolian folk music tradition with a dynamic, contemporary twist.[1]
Early life and education[edit]
Born in the southeast of Turkey, Olcay Bayir demonstrated a passion for music from an early age, singing and writing songs. In 1998, she migrated to London with her family.[2]
Career[edit]
Bayir's debut album, "Neva – Harmony" (Riverboat, World Music Network, 2014), features songs sung in various languages spoken in the region of Anatolia, including Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian, Greek, and Ladino.[3] She was nominated for best newcomer in the Songlines Music Awards 2015 for her debut album Neva.[4]
Her second album, "Ruya – Dream" (released by ARC Music in 2019 and Kalan Muzik in Turkey), was well-received and featured her own songs.[5] Robin Denselow of The Guardian described Bayir as “one of the finest, most intriguing singers on the British world music scene.”[6]
In addition to these full-length albums, Bayir released a four-track EP, "Icerde | Inside," in 2021 which was funded by Help Musicians UK.[7] The album was recorded by working remotely with musicians around the world.[8]
Bayir is also the lyricist and composer of "Yar Dedi- Beloved It Said."[9]
Honors[edit]
- Arts Council England – Project Grants ( 2020)[10]
- Help Musicians Do It Differently Fund ( 2021)[7]
- Centre for Turkey Studies – Cultural Personality of the Year ( 2021)
Discography[edit]
Albums[edit]
Single’s[edit]
- Sto pa kai sto ksanaleo (2020)
- Ruya Remix ( 2020)
- Ela ( 2021)
- Bu Gec Vakit (2021)
References[edit]
- ^ "BBC Radio 6 Music - Cerys Matthews, A joyous exploration via music, guests and poetry: Olcay Bayir in Session". BBC.
- ^ "Turkey's musicians seek better lives abroad" (in Turkish). Gazete Duvar. 2 January 2022.
- ^ Luhrssen, David (18 October 2014). "Olcay Bayir: Neva/Harmony (Riverboat Records)". Shepherd Express.
- ^ "Söndörg? & Olcay Bayir Nominated For Songlines Music Awards 2015!". World Music Network.
- ^ ""Rüya – Dream " Türkiye piyasalarına 21 Haziran'da girecek". Haberler (in Turkish). 19 June 2019.
- ^ a b Denselow, Robin (22 March 2019). "Olcay Bayir: Rüya review – intriguing and gloriously mournful songs". The Guardian.
- ^ a b "Olcay Bayir finds her peace amid the pandemic". Songlines magazine.
- ^ "Olcay Bayir bringing 'irresistible grooves and ancient poems' to Cambridge Junction". Cambs Times. 29 June 2021.
- ^ "Açık Gazete Gecesi 9 Aralık'ta". AÇIK GAZETE. 22 November 2016.
- ^ https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/ACPG%20Awards%20-%20January%2020.xlsx
- ^ Denselow, Robin (6 November 2014). "Olcay Bayir: Neva/Harmony review – elegant Turkish-flavoured world music". The Guardian.
- ^ "London-based Turkish artist releases album in digital platform". Hürriyet Daily News. 8 July 2021.