Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek’s latest single, “Ceylan”, released via Big Crown Records, offers a fresh interpretation of the Neşet Ertaş classic, originally written by his father, Muharrem Ertaş. The band infuses the song with psychedelic synths, rhythmic percussion, and expressive bağlama melodies, while Yıldırım’s reverberating vocals amplify its themes of hunting and loss—deeply rooted in Anatolian folk traditions. The ceylan (deer) serves as a recurring symbol of fragility and resilience, mirroring the song’s meditation on survival and hardship.
The track follows a string of recent releases, including “Cool Hand” / “Yakamoz,” “Hop Bico,” and “Direne Direne”, each exploring different moods within the band’s signature blend of groove-heavy, introspective, and dynamic sounds.
Since 2014, Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek have established an international presence by fusing Anatolian folk with psychedelia, pop, and soul. The group has released two albums and one EP, consistently touring across Europe.
Led by Hamburg-born singer and bağlama player Derya Yıldırım, the band maintains a strong connection to Turkish-language music. “It’s my emotional language,” Yıldırım explains, emphasizing the importance of expression in her family’s native tongue.
The lineup includes Graham Mushnik (organ, synthesizers) and Antonin Voyant (guitar, bass, flute), both affiliated with Catapulte Records and known for their cinematic, groove-oriented style. Helen Wells, a Cape Town-born drummer, joined in 2022, bringing influences from South Africa’s DIY and psychedelic scenes into the group’s evolving sound.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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