Where are you based?
I am in Istanbul, Turkey.
Where do you work? What do you do?
Right now I have 2 main focuses. First of all, I have a music company called Wangh Music that provides full-service musical solutions to artists. In Wangh Music, we provide song distribution, song Management, digital song campaigns, artists collaborations services. We have provided services to more than 100 artists in 1.5 years. Songs which digital campaigns provided by Wangh, have more than 120 million streamed on digital streaming platforms.
Secondly, we have been working on the web3 music project, which will be one of the first in the music business. We are planning to launch it in March. We will maximize the collaborations between artists and fans. That’s an exhausting journey for me but I am happy!
What are you listening to?
There are various artists on my playlists. Such as:
- Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar – Family Ties
- Soolking, Niska – Balader
- ElGrandeToto, Ayra Starr – Comforter
- Jengi-Bel Mercy
- No1, Ahiyan – Kronik
- Dedublüman – Belki
- Mavi Gri, Ahmet Hatipoğlu – Ölümle Yaşam Arasında
- İkilem – Aç Bu Şarkıyı
How do you discover new music?
I use lots of music apps to discover new hit music. I have worked as an A&R in the past. So I feel lucky to be able to find the next secret hit songs. TikTok is a suitable platform to hear the next hits. But when I listen to new music, I use various personalised music data apps. These apps show me more valuable information about songs such as; listener age, country etc. Then we start our promotion strategies.
What formats do you usually listen to? LP, CD, Cassette, Digital, Streaming Services? Why?
I prefer digital music streaming platforms to listen to music. Music streaming platforms are easily accessible. Also, music streaming platforms allow me to listen to the songs that I have added to my playlists anytime, anywhere. 😊
“I mostly listen to music through my sound systems in the office and on the sound system in the car during the journey. Listening to music in a live concert venue is my favourite.”
Where do you do most of your music listening?
I mostly listen to music through my sound systems in the office and on the sound system in the car during the journey. Listening to music in a live concert venue is my favourite.
How do you find and listen to pre-release music?
I am very lucky in this regard. I am a former A&R. That’s why from time to time, many of my popular artist friends send me the final versions of their songs via WhatsApp. Sometimes, I listen to the final master versions of their songs in the studios. They are curious about my comments on their songs. I have been lucky enough to listen to many hit songs before they came out.
What are your frustrations with listening to music digitally? Any benefits?
Thanks to digital streaming platforms, people have discovered music listening habits from smart TVs & smartphones. But music leaking has been rising. When you share a digital version of your song with someone before the release your song can be uploaded to digital platforms with new master formats by someone.
“I want to say, many talented artists are making music within the Turkish music industry. Language shouldn’t be a barrier.”
How do you keep track of everything you are listening to?
I use many music-listening / streaming platforms. Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music etc. I have different playlists on each platform. When I want to listen to music, I go back and look at my playlists on these platforms.
Do you tip other people off to new music? How?
Of course, I do! I think they should follow personally created music playlists apart from editorial playlists on digital music platforms. People have a better chance of finding artists that they may not have heard of before.
Anything you want to “promote”?
We will be announcing a new project in web3 music. We have been establishing a platform where artists will gain fairer earnings and experiences with their fans, which they may never have experienced. We are so excited about this!
Lastly, I want to say, many talented artists are making music in the Turkish music industry. Language shouldn’t be a barrier. Also, I want to share with you some great songs. Currently, there are 2 Turkish songs that I listen to the most. First, I’m listening to the song “Dedublüman – Belki”. Dedublüman is one of the rising music groups of the last few years. I’m so happy to have met them when they were in the early stages of their careers. Another song is “Mavi Gri – ‘Altüst Olmuşum”. Mavi Gri is one of the rising music groups of the last period, They broke many records in the Turkish music industry. The music, the lyrics and instrumental harmony are really great on the song, Altüst Olmuşum.
