Turkish Bands
BY BURAK ŞAHİN (IR/III)
burak_s@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
This column is written to introduce some new sounds and bands and to present some different options in popular music culture. Sometimes I receive e-mails that complain about the origin of bands that I mention in this column. The bands I write about are generally from western music culture, especially the UK and Ireland. This does not mean that there are no Turkish bands and/or artists at an equal level with those bands. This week I would like to inform or remind you about Turkish bands that perform indie rock/pop, electronic, or any other kind of genre, special thanks to indieistanbul: http://indieistanbul.tumblr.com.
Sattas
Sattas is a Turkish reggae band consisting of Orçun Sünear and Derya Eken. The duo started 
covering Bob Marley, Gregory Isaac, and Michael Prophet; then they began to write their own songs. After performing in various bars in İstanbul, they became one of the best root reggae bands of Turkey. Once I heard them in the club Ghetto (İstanbul), I found answer to my question: Is it possible to sing reggae in Turkish? Yes, it is.
Key Songs: "Ne oldu," "Irie," "Funky Reggae Night."
Website: http://www.sattas.org
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sattas
Post Dial
Post Dial is a fabulous electronic indie band that consists of the duo Yiğit Bülbül and Sinan Tınar. The band released their first album in 2007 and got good feedback. Their second album was released in March 2010 and is still available for free downloading on their website. These two men make people totally crazy on the dance stage with their music. Post Dial generally performs the elite bars and clubs in İstanbul such as Babylon, Dogzstar, and Ghetto. The band also gets attention with their interesting concert posters.
Key Songs: "Sway," "Will You Let Me Sleep?"
Website: http://postdial.net
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/postdial
Jehan Barbur
This woman has great songs with her unexpected and glorious lyrics. She describes herself: "I started in life uniquely because of my name." She was born in 
Beirut and grew up in İskenderun. Jehan studied in the American Culture and Literature Department at Bilkent University
. During her college years she wrote some lyrics as an amateur. After graduation, she released her first album Uyan in 2009 and then the second album, Hayat, was released this year. Jehan Barbur definitely makes you relaxed while listening to her with smooth voice. I had a chance to watch her live in Ankara last week at Passage. She certainly knows how to entertain the audience with a glass of rakı on the stage.
Key Songs: "Gidersen," "Neden," "Leyla."
Website: http://www.jehanbarbur.com
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jehanbarbur