A Strong Spirit Transcends Rules with Edis
Let’s confess. Pop music is a guilty pleasure for us, as Edis describes. We cannot resist it! For some reason, we find ourselves grooving to the rhythm and accompanying the lyrics. Some may ask, “But why not be loud and proud about it?” Because we know that the associated profile is a bit prejudiced. Fortunately, there is someone to become a true pop star and eliminate these prejudices. We yield to Edis’s music, how about you?
Music, dance and acting. Your interest in all these disciplines take us to the beginning of your story. What kind of a kid were you?
I was a very social kid. I grew up in a great environment. I was lucky. I was always going to some class instead of sitting at home all day.
What kind of music did you grow up listening to around home?
Turkish pop, Turkish classical music, English rock. There was also Sezen Aksu, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Sibel Can, Tarkan and Şebnem Ferah. I loved them all but I think I got my taste in music from my uncle. He was a teenager and I was a boy during the rise of hip-hop and rap. We’d listen to music all day at home.
You said you wrote your first song at the age of 10. Who did you share it with?
My Turkish teacher and a girlfriend. I thought I was in love with her. (laughs) I asked my teacher’s permission and sang it in class, looking into her eyes. I’m laughing about it now. It’s so funny and lovely! Fortunately, the class liked it as well.
Is there a song you wrote in those years and can share with us?
“Eyvallah” in my album is a song I wrote in high school. My high school friends keep sending me a message saying, “This is that song!”
”It’s my one and only song which I kept judging and which endured my novice anxiety: Benim Ol!”
How do you develop a relationship with your songs? Is there a difference between the first time you listened to “Benim Ol” and the first time you released it?
“Benim Ol” reminds me of this long period. It’s like my favorite ex or a friend who moved away. I couldn’t listen to it and got stressed when it was first released. It’s my one and only song which I kept judging and which endured my novice anxiety. It’s become my lucky charm.
What does passion mean to you?
For me love is love when it’s strengthened with passion. Love is not enough for me, doesn’t satisfy me. I’m not just talking about a romantic relationship; dance and music are also my passion. But the stage is love.
Do you think there is a prejudice against pop music?
There’s a “guilty pleasure” situation. I think it’s ridiculous. Listening to a certain genre does not make you an intellectual. But I also believe that some pop culture figures hurt this image. But everyone is living his/her life. I’m very pleased with mine. I love listening to what I love and I enjoy when people love my songs.
How would you describe being on stage?
It’s like a status. Someone puts a crown or a helmet on your head. You carry a spear or a magical aura around your neck and firing around. Your eyes are your weapon. It’s a weird interaction. You cannot describe it.
”You expect the other party to discover what you’re doing with a heightened sense of mind but they have no idea what’s going on around them.”
Gömlek / Shirt: LES BENJAMINS T-shirt: PRADA Jean: DSQUARED2 / ZORLU BUTIK Ayakkabı / Shoes: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
You say you live without meddling with other people’s lives and without judgment. But you are exposed to the opposite due to your profession. How do you deal with this?
I don’t think I can deal with it but I’m used to it by now. If it’s about art but is not offered by an art enthusiast, then it can make you mad but this shouldn’t happen. I think there is a great responsibility in being a true art enthusiast. You present a story, a composition with your music videos and photographs. You expect the other party to discover what you’re doing with a heightened sense of mind but they have no idea what’s going on around them. They just say, “This looks like that,” and that’s it. Then it’s about acceptance and sorting out the valuable voices in the noise. After that, you just focus and build yourself a system with your friends and good colleagues in the media.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard about you?
I’m doing dance pop but it’s still not where I want it to be. I usually begin by saying that there are urban and ethnic beats as well. I say that I’m a Turkish pop singer and that I’m beginning to earn myself a major place in the industry. I emphasize that there is a mingling of genres today and that I enjoy diversity in my music.
Who influenced your music?
Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Kenan Doğulu, Şebnem Ferah, Britney Spears, Sezen Aksu, and Barış Manço.
How do you train your ear to keep up with the new?
My ear is always being trained. I educate myself by working, searching for the new and performing. I don’t think I’m going through an adaptation phase. I listen to the sounds of the world and I’m the one who’s supposed to bring the new. So I’m always creating something.
Can acting come back into your life?
It can. I would say “no” in the past because I was worried if it’d take too much of my time, or if I forgot how to do it. Now I kind of miss it. It feels different when you miss something.
When do you feel in the moment the most?
I live in the moment when I’m in love. I never think about the next day when in love. I wrote my song “An” for the biggest love of my life.
What’s next for you?
A new commercial but there’s also a new and exciting marathon of my new songs. There’s also open-air concerts in summer. I have some plans abroad and a bit of vacation as well.
Bits and pieces
The word you use the most?
Tamam (okay).
The background picture of your phone?
I never had one.
Your dream collaboration?
Max Martin.
Your latest discovery on Spotify?
Veggies – Amine, Ty Dolla $ign
Which song suits Istanbul the best?
I can say many songs by Sezen Aksu.
Interview: DUYGU BENGİ
Photography: ERDİ DOĞAN
Fashion Editor: ERKAN ALTUNAY
Hair: FERİT BELLİ
Mua: ONUR BAYRAM