Who is Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek?
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek formed in 2014 during the New Hamburg theatre festival in Hamburg-Veddel, the neighbourhood where I was born and raised. The project brought together professional musicians and local residents, and I was one of the people participating.
After the festival residency ended, we simply wanted to continue playing. That moment – the emotional exchange, the sense of family – really bonded us. Over the past decade, we have experienced so much together, from our neighbourhood to stages all over the world, and now even Australia. It’s really incredible; something you couldn’t imagine beforehand.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Honestly, I don’t think I could imagine a world without music. For me, music gives life meaning, and it’s not just about what I can get from it – it’s about what I can contribute to the world. Life feels richer when you try to understand purpose by setting goals. And those goals shouldn’t only be about yourself. For me, they’re about bringing people together, imagining a shared future, and valuing diversity and cultural heritage!
This also means that Anatolian music – or Turkish music, if you want to call it that – can take root beyond Anatolia. Turkish and Kurdish-speaking people have lived in Germany for decades, so questions of where “home” is have evolved.
We are hybrids, and we feel at home wherever we have our experiences. Anatolian music gives a different sense of rootedness and connection, full of emotion and depth that is hard to explain. It’s a musical culture where I feel completely at ease, and it mirrors my emotions directly.
Music has always been part of my life. I grew up in a musical family. Even if I weren’t performing, I’d probably still work with music – maybe teaching, trying to be the coolest music teacher the students could imagine.
Who inspires you and why?
Music inspires me first and foremost, across many genres. Since signing with Big Crown Records, I’ve become much more attentive to soul music, which has influenced our latest album. My first and main source of inspiration is always Anatolian folk music in its original form (for example: Arif Sağ, Ruhi Su, Ali Ekber Çiçek) and I also draw inspiration from Turkish psychedelic reinterpretations such as Barış Manço, Erkin Koray, Selda Bağcan.
Beyond music, I’m inspired by life stories, personal experiences, the emotions I feel, and the people around me. Sometimes inspiration even comes from dreams or imagined scenarios. It’s also refreshing to find inspiration in things that are not strictly “real,” giving you space to rethink and imagine new possibilities.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I believe music can create connection and a sense of belonging. Anatolian music carries deep emotional roots and shows that cultural heritage can exist and grow far beyond its original geography. Especially Anatolian music has this kind of magic – the sound itself carries so much that language doesn’t feel like a barrier. For hybrid communities like ours, music helps people feel seen and connected, creating a sense of home across generations.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Anywhere with water and mountains, preferably somewhere warm. I love places that make me feel small – being part of something much bigger than myself. When I see mountains and water, I feel most human.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Berlin has such a deep historical background – from the fall of the Wall to its role as the capital – and you can really feel those layers of history in different parts of the city. But my way of showing the city would be through food.
I’d take friends on a culinary journey – from the best falafel spots to Asian restaurants in West Berlin, then a great döner in Kreuzberg, and finally traditional German food in a cosy Wirtshaus. For me, food tells the story of the neighbourhoods and the people who live there.
What are you currently reading?
Right now I’m reading Japanese Breakfast and other works that speak to me personally.
What are you currently listening to?
I’m listening to a mix of Anatolian folk music in its original form, Turkish psychedelic reinterpretations, and soul music.
Happiness is?
Feeling connected – to people, to music, and to a sense of purpose.
What does the future hold for you?
Movement, change, and music that keeps its roots.
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek can be seen in Ritual & Rebellion – which will be presented at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday 11 March 2026. Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek can also be seen at WOMADelaide (6 & 7 March), Golden Plains Festival (8 March) and the Sydney Opera House (12 March).
Image: Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek – photo by Philomena Wolflingseder