Olcay Bayir

Inspired by the meeting of Asian and Mediterranean musical traditions, singer, songwriter and composer Olcay Bayir's songs unfold stories of Anatolian love and mystery.

Olcay is from Turkey of Kurdish origin, based in London and is a classically trained soprano with a velveteen voice like no other. On her stunning debut album, Neva/Harmony, her Western training collides perfectly with her passion for the rich musical heritage of her Anatolian homeland, allowing her to craft intricate and unusual melodic phrases, distinct harmonies and captivating, richly-layered textures. Her contemporary sound incorporates elements of folk, jazz and neo-classical with evocative vocal deliveries through her original compositions and arrangements of folk songs from Mediterrannean , Anataolian and Mesopotamian sources for a world fusion result.