page_4

TS

What has the journey looked like from developing your first album to your second album?

Nilüfer

It is completely different. For the first album, I had already been releasing music before it was put together. I had been touring a lot, playing loads, and meeting people. I signed to my label before putting a first album together, I didn’t have a plan, I just wrote songs, tried things out, and at the end, we had an album – albeit a little messy (laughs). I was eager to just do it. For me, the fear of not doing something outweighs the fear of it not being perfect. I don’t want to worry about how good it is, although I think about that a lot. 

For the second record, I was in a weird lockdown headspace. I hadn’t really written properly the year before, maybe two songs and an EP of tracks the year before. I wasn’t in a creative headspace, but I just wanted to make music. Will Archer and I started sending each other ideas, and pretty quickly songs just started flowing. We started and finished the record in about full months, which could be seen as a little rushed, but the concentration levels were so high. Half way through putting it all together, we kind of realised we had a second album. I have managed to narrow-down and streamline the process, make things a little more focused whilst being unfocused for its own reasons. Now, I am excited about making another record. 

TS

With the process being both focussed and unfocused at once, that could be seen as a little more experimental perhaps?

Nilüfer

The writing process itself doesn’t need focus, just time and energy. When I say unfocused, I mean not having a plan to a helpful extent, and then building from there. If you have a structure you wish to follow, you can set it out and make it happen, rather than just constantly going with the flow. That said, seeing what happens opens interesting possibilities. Plus, I try to find what I want to happen, and pursue that. 

TS

Have you been allowed the time to see these projects out?

Nilüfer

It was hard for me to do that the first time round, I wasn’t entirely focussed myself. This time around, I did have a deadline which I was working towards, which helped and didn’t help. I put a lot of pressure on myself, so I don’t feel outside pressure, but it is useful to help push you towards creating something, a lot of creatives are like that. I get really caught up in deadlines. 

It is really nice to talk about these things. I wasn’t talking about this all to start with, I just took it for granted my ability to write and perform – I didn’t think it would be as difficult (laughs). 

TS

How significant has collaboration been for you?

Nilüfer

I used to write by myself a lot, I never bothered writing with other people – I was never welcome to that idea as I felt I had something to prove. I wanted it to all be my music, and I didn’t want to feel as though I was relying on anyone else. I have let go of this now, as sometimes writing is a real challenge, but also, you have to be open to it as collaborative music can bring some sounds that you never would have expected. Ultimately, if I could write by myself, and I didn’t need those things, then I would, but that is the end point. Maybe I’ll be a musical recluse (laughs).

TS

You have done a fair bit of travelling this year, how has that been?

Nilüfer

I found it hard in 2019, as much as I enjoyed it, a lot of it comes down to never having a long term plan as opportunities present themselves that you can’t say no to. I do miss home, being present, but I have had to follow these opportunities. Being a little more grown-up about it now, knowing there is an endpoint, being strict on giving myself breaks, I am better equipped to be able to tour now (laughs)!

Travelling isn’t luxurious, you’re just running around! I do try to make time to enjoy being where I am and detach myself from the tour process just to enjoy the journey a little. Well, that is always the goal!

Being from a multicultural background, it makes you feel more of a global citizen in a way. London has this, but people are a little stand-offish. Travelling has opened my mind to new people, different ways of living. I want to live in other places, touring has hammered that one home for me. I haven’t had a chance to move outside of the London bubble, so I want to take that chance as often as it comes.

TS

Is there something or someone that is going to remind you of the past 12 months?

Nilüfer

I was saying this with my friends, but we are trying to hold onto all the ‘this is what it’s about’ moments. I played in New York, I had the best time on stage which isn’t a feeling I always get, but this show was perfect. It was one of those achievement moments, it always makes me happy. After that night, everyone started getting covid, which never helps, but it was a beautiful night. 

There are probably other moments that mean more, but I just can’t put it into words. I got to see my family again in Turkey, which was really nice – I haven’t seen them in a few years! We had a show there, so I got to go out there a few days early. I had gotten used to seeing them, and had definitely taken that for granted. Being able to be back in Turkey performing, and seeing my family, it is amazing.