Ayhan Sahin
Brilliant rocker and entertainer Ayhan Sahin taps into a strong vibe to create an original blend of rock / pop rock music with an emotional twist. It's little wonder why his new radio single ‘Where Is Your Heart?’ is racing up the charts.
ALEXIS: Let's just get this out in the open- What is the craziest thing that has happened to you in your music career?
AYHAN SAHIN: The craziest things happened in the beginning of my music career when i met my lifelong music idols Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulveaus (from ABBA) through a surprise trip to Sweden. arranged by the Swedish Embassy in Turkey.
ALEXIS: Your song ’Where Is Your Heart?’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
AYHAN SAHIN: It's a very proud personal moment. You can be on the subway, you can be in the middle of a launch party or simply at home by yourself. When you hear your song playing and if the sound is good to your ears, my reaction is simply crying out of pride and appreciation for all these years with putting unconditional love to your work.
ALEXIS: What was the inspiration behind your radio single?
AYHAN SAHIN: A lonely moment where you stand in the middle of a crowd but feel helpless and convinced there is no one to give a hand to you.
ALEXIS: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
AYHAN SAHIN: Not a difficult experience, but the desire and the love to modern pop music pioneered by my favorite band ABBA, and a promise made to myself to sound as good as their productions.
ALEXIS: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician?
AYHAN SAHIN: It's new to consider myself as the artist, since until now over 10 years i have been working as a producer and a songwriter. I think there is that selfish part of you that wants more then just creating the product but to be the voice who delivers it to the outside world. Approving your own pictures, preparing your own press kit is also fun.
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ALEXIS: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
AYHAN SAHIN: When there is good energy, there is good outcome. I persist working with the people on my team because we have a good understanding of what we want to achieve and we complete each other's weaker parts to become a solid tea.
ALEXIS: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
AYHAN SAHIN: I worked as a civil engineer over ten years in the corporate world, during which i was performing with my amateurish band as a side hobby until that moment came with a bright opportunity for me to sit down and make choices in life. i chose music, and always felt good about my decision. My entire family comes from an engineering background, with my brother being a doctor.
ALEXIS: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
AYHAN SAHIN: That moment i explained earlier when you hear your sound on a public arena and you feel you've done well with quality.
ALEXIS: Who are your role models in music?
AYHAN SAHIN: ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulveaus. I also have a muse: when i write a song, i first have to hear it in my head from ABBA's Frida singing it. If it's not clearly there in my head, then there is something with the song, and i have to take action to correct.
ALEXIS: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
AYHAN SAHIN: It actually happened just last month when we launched our new music video for Randy Jones from The Village People's new single "Hard Times" which hit the Billboard charts. I watched the video on the big screen with the selected crowd, press and friends cheering and thought too myself "We've done well." IO regard that as a performance since i hardly sing live.
ALEXIS: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
AYHAN SAHIN: Just keep doing what you are doing. If you're a songwriter and at a moment when your song is rejected, just write another song. Get more aggressive, write everyday. Doesn't matter if anyone hears it today. On the opposite side, if your song wins a grammy, still write another tune after the celebration hangover. That is the only difference between a successful and a failing artist/musician. The one who works will get his reward at some point as long as he does not give up. That was a direct example to a songwriter but can be interpreted to an artist or a producer or a musician.
ALEXIS: What's next for you as an artist? Is there an album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
AYHAN SAHIN: My writing and business partner Bernadette O'Reilly and I have been working on a full length production album where "Where is your heart" is included. WE are recording the last song of the album at this moment. Releasing the album is our current sand next project.
ALEXIS: I look forward to hearing your new work! Thank you for letting us get to know you better as a musician and I wish you the best of luck and continued success.
http://www.theakademia.com/artistkit/AyhanSahin-WhereIsYourHeart.html