Rene Women Interviews 0012: Sedef Sebuktekin
New Album (!)
Stef: You announced on Instagram that you’re working on a new album. You must be very excited! Can you tell us something about the album?
Sedef: Yes! It will be my first album, and I’m both excited and happy. Half of the album is already shaping up nicely, and it’s progressing well. I plan to release it in the fall. There will also be guest artists that I love in the album. That’s all I can say for now. 🙂
Career and Inspirations
Stef: Can you tell us about the moment you decided to continue your music career?
Sedef:Â After graduating from landscape architecture and doing an internship, I knew I didn’t want to work in an office job. Then I worked as a waitress and did voice-overs for a while, and during that time, I started sharing my songs. I gave my first concert at Sofar, and that’s where people began to take an interest in my music and me. I think that day I started to see music as a career possibility. While working as a secretary at an organization, I continued to make music. Then at some point, I left that job and pursued music full-time.
Stef: Which artists have had the biggest impact on your musical journey?
Sedef: My father is a huge Beatles fan, so naturally, I became one too. Leonard Cohen, PJ Harvey, Ruben Östlund, and Abbas Kiarostami are some of the artists who have greatly influenced me.
Stef: How do you approach the songwriting process? Do you have any rituals or routines?
Sedef: Writing a song sometimes starts with a poem, sometimes with inspiration from a movie, and sometimes with a beautiful melody. Sometimes it takes a year to write a song, and sometimes an hour. So the process varies each time, which is why I try to stay open to inspiration from everywhere. I have a somewhat unrelated but possibly related ritual: I have been writing one page every morning for 7-8 years, and I think it influences my songwriting because there is an ongoing internal dialogue.
Personal Style and Home Life
Stef:Â How would you describe your personal style in both fashion and home decor? Are there any Turkish designers you admire?
Sedef:Â Words like earth tones and calmness come to mind, and having space to move around is very important. As I draw pictures and take notes, I like to hang and display them on my walls and stay in touch with them. I don’t know many designers, but one that comes to mind is Boo Pala, whose clothes and style I like. She’s also a friend of mine.
Stef: What are your favorite items or pieces in your home that reflect your personality?
Sedef: A kudüm drum I got from a flea market My chill corner sofa A mirror and a candle holder
Stef: How does your living space affect your creativity and work?
Sedef:For me, this house is the physical manifestation of a safe space where I can comfortably express myself, and of course, it feels great to write songs here.
Stef: Can you share your favorite corner or spot in your home and explain why it’s special to you?
Sedef: My favorite spot is the open area in the middle because I dance there. I’ve been interested in somatic experiencing and improvisation for a few years. Dancing freely at home and exploring the movement space of my body has become a ritual for me. It also helps me discover beautiful music. So, my dance floor is very special to me. 🙂
Music + Creativity
Stef: What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your music?
Sedef: I’m not actually trying to convey a message; I think I’m trying to present my own way of looking and myself. Whatever it evokes in someone, I don’t interfere with that! 🙂
Stef: Who are your favorite artists? What are your favorite songs?
Sedef: I’ve been very into Balthazar for the past few years, a band whose aura I like. I love Akın Sevgör’s music. A song that I always play and makes me feel good is “Chan Chan” by Buena Vista Social Club.
Stef: What challenges do you face as a musician and how do you overcome them?
Sedef: I can’t say that I’m financially comfortable; it’s partly due to the country’s economy and the uncertainty of the music industry. Apart from that, spending a lot of time alone at home, which I generally enjoy, sometimes makes me feel very lonely, and I find myself in dark seas inside my head. I try to overcome these by meeting with friends and family, reading books, and seeing a psychologist.
Lifestyle + Personal Interests
Stef: What do you like to do to relax and unwind when you’re not working on music?
Sedef: I love reading books, cooking, playing with cats, dancing, and sunbathing.
Stef: Are there any hobbies or activities you’re passionate about outside of music?
Sedef: Dancing and painting are experiences that make me feel very free and good.
Stef: How do you balance your professional and personal life?
Sedef:I don’t know, it just happens naturally. 🙂
Your World
Stef: Favorite Places: What are your favorite places in Istanbul (please share at least one: restaurant, café, park/natural area, neighborhood, shop)? In Turkey or elsewhere in the world? What cities or regions do you love in Turkey and why?
Sedef: A place I love to go in Istanbul: Taksim, Tophane, and the historic peninsula Restaurant: Reyhun Chelokebabi, Banyan, Ortaköy İnegöl Köftecisi Café: Bond Café, Emek Café Natural area: Belgrad Forest Shop: Jewelry shops in Eminönü
Living in Your Own Style
Stef: You have a very unique style in both your art and personal life. What is your home like? If we visited for tea, what would surprise us? What would be completely in line with the style you share online (art + personal)?
Sedef: Thank you 🙂 my home is a very calm and peaceful place. I think it’s an ideal environment for relaxing and working. If you visited for tea, you might be surprised by the village rug on the wall or my pink stools that look like piÅŸmaniye (a Turkish sweet). If I like an item a lot, I don’t think about whether it matches the others; I just bring it home right away. That’s why there’s no specific theme at home; you can see unrelated feelings and textures together. 🙂
Other Loves
Stef: Do you have any pets? What are their names?
Sedef: Yes, I live with two cats. Their names are Roka and Neko. We’re constantly side by side in almost every corner of the house. 🙂
Personal + Past
Stef: Do you have a happy childhood memory that has influenced your life or work?
Sedef: My grandmother in Iran used to surprise me with ducks, rabbits, goats, and similar animals every time I visited her. I loved spending time with these animals in the garden. This memory came to mind when you mentioned a happy childhood memory. I don’t know how, but it surely influences my work. 🙂