Olcay Bayir is a London-based singer, songwriter, and composer of Kurdish origin from Turkey. Bayir’s music is a mixture of her original compositions and songs based on Anatolian folk music tradition with a dynamic, contemporary twist.
Early life and education
Born in the southeast of Turkey, Olcay Bayir demonstrated a passion for music from an early age, singing and writing songs. In 1998, she migrated to London with her family.
Career
Bayir's debut album, "Neva – Harmony" (Riverboat, World Music Network, 2014), features songs sung in various languages spoken in the region of Anatolia, including Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian, Greek, and Ladino. She was nominated for best newcomer in the Songlines Music Awards 2015 for her debut album Neva.
Her second album, "Ruya – Dream" (released by ARC Music in 2019 and Kalan Muzik in Turkey), was well-received and featured her own songs. Robin Denselow of The Guardian described Bayir as “one of the finest, most intriguing singers on the British world music scene.”
In addition to these full-length albums, Bayir released a four-track EP, "Icerde | Inside," in 2021 which was funded by Help Musicians UK. The album was recorded by working remotely with musicians around the world.
Bayir is also the lyricist and composer of "Yar Dedi- Beloved It Said."
Honors
- Arts Council England – Project Grants ( 2020)
- Help Musicians Do It Differently Fund ( 2021)
- Centre for Turkey Studies – Cultural Personality of the Year ( 2021)
Discography
Albums
- Neva | Harmony (2014)
- Ruya | Dream (2019)
- İçerde | Inside ( 2021)
Single’s
- Sto pa kai sto ksanaleo (2020)
- Ruya Remix ( 2020)
- Ela ( 2021)
- Bu Gec Vakit (2021)
References
- "BBC Radio 6 Music - Cerys Matthews, A joyous exploration via music, guests and poetry: Olcay Bayir in Session". BBC.
- "Turkey's musicians seek better lives abroad" (in Turkish). Gazete Duvar. 2 January 2022.
- Luhrssen, David (18 October 2014). "Olcay Bayir: Neva/Harmony (Riverboat Records)". Shepherd Express.
- "Söndörg? & Olcay Bayir Nominated For Songlines Music Awards 2015!". World Music Network.
- ""Rüya – Dream " Türkiye piyasalarına 21 Haziran'da girecek". Haberler (in Turkish). 19 June 2019.
- ^ Denselow, Robin (22 March 2019). "Olcay Bayir: Rüya review – intriguing and gloriously mournful songs". The Guardian.
- ^ "Olcay Bayir finds her peace amid the pandemic". Songlines magazine.
- "Olcay Bayir bringing 'irresistible grooves and ancient poems' to Cambridge Junction". Cambs Times. 29 June 2021.
- "Açık Gazete Gecesi 9 Aralık'ta". AÇIK GAZETE. 22 November 2016.
- https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/sites/default/files/download-file/ACPG%20Awards%20-%20January%2020.xlsx
- Denselow, Robin (6 November 2014). "Olcay Bayir: Neva/Harmony review – elegant Turkish-flavoured world music". The Guardian.
- "London-based Turkish artist releases album in digital platform". Hürriyet Daily News. 8 July 2021.