Cyprus is the island of love!

Eylem was born in London to Turkish Cypriot parents. She attained a big success with her first album, ‘Aman’, which was released in Turkey. Pleasing to the eyes and ears, Eylem has an exceptional vocal style and breathtaking dance manoeuvres. She joined us for a nice talk and related her ongoing preparations for the new album. She did not forget to express her insatiable longing for Cyprus.

Your album ‘Aman’ was appreciated both in Turkey and in North Cyprus. Can you please tell us how your career in music started?
Actually, I received education in theatre and dance. Getting involved with music was the next step. I graduated from the school of performance arts. Therefore, I had the opportunity to work in every field which involved acting – I took part in theatres, in several TV productions. I learned almost everything that is related to theatre – use of lights, decor techniques, etc. Then I joined a girlband called ‘Steamy Knights’. In the meantime I was working as a model. I took part in a number of series and in world-famous adverts such as that of McDonald’s and Western Union. These jobs provided me with worthy experience for my subsequent career. I decided to part from the band Steamy Knights and started climbing my own steps. I recorded a demo album which included six songs, which mainly employed Western sound qualities along with a spice of Turkish motifs. These motifs were added upon my will, because I knew I felt them deep in my heart.

Whereas you were mostly involved in R&B and pop when in London, am I right? Have you ever been a good listener of Turkish music?
I am a good listener of Turkish music. I remember we had Turkish Art Music albums at home. My grandmother used to listen to them. Although I did not know the names of the songs, I knew most of them by heart. While living in London, we did not lose our affection for our flag and our culture. We did our best to protect our culture within the family. I would like to transfer this culture also to my future children.

How did you decide to leave London and go to Turkey to pursue your career?
A very beloved friend of mine, Remzi, a DJ, remixed one of my songs. The song was already being played in England. Some time later, a comprehensive festival was arranged in Cyprus, in which almost all acknowledged DJs from UK participated. Having watched our dance performance, some organiser from Turkey invited us to another festival, which was to be held in Edirne. Undoubtedly, we accepted with pleasure. I took my demo album and head for İstanbul. My mother was very helpful in this process in explaining my background and my aims. Although I confided in me in the wake of the project, my family and my friends’ support was crucial for me to chase my dreams with the same enthusiasm. I can say that all was nothing but teamwork.

Your album proved to be successful in Turkey. What are your impressions of this success? What kind of reactions you received from the people of Cyprus and England?
I had already taken some steps in England before recording this album. Nevertheless, singing in Turkey was not easy in the beginning. This fact only helped to increase my enthusiasm. I wanted R&B and soft pop styles to be dominant in the album. Yet, I set out to employ as many styles as possible in the songs and wanted to show off some vocal techniques. Finally everything turned out to be good. Sometimes I come across with people who murmur my song ‘Aman’. Then I become the happiest person in the world.

If the album were to be released in England, would it be the same in style?
I love this album, because it absolutely reflects my style. I am determined to proceed in the same way and produce albums that are to be remembered along with my name. But do not misunderstand – I will not stay dependent on the same style.

Was the album ever mentioned in the UK?
Although the album was not released for sale in England, I know that there were a lot of people who bought it in some way. We observed the same situation in Germany. Only in Turkey the album was legally released for sale. However; also in Cyprus, Germany and England, the album sold many. I am happy that the Turks living in England, Germany and Cyprus went on to support me.

You frequently travel between İstanbul, London and Cyprus. A life like this must be hard... What do you think?
I am absolutely happy. I sleep in planes and get tired to death – it is true, but I am very happy for what I am living through. Very often do I travel to İstanbul these days. I have a flat in İstanbul.

Because you were born and brought up in London, your English pronunciation is far better than your Turkish pronunciation. Nevertheless, this is not discernible while you are singing in Turkish...
(laughs) We could not entirely grasp the reason for that to be honest. I think it is because I can manage my tongue better while singing. I am bilingual and I can speak three accents. English and Turkish are my mother tongues; besides I can speak British English, Cypriot Turkish and Istanbul Turkish. Honestly, I improved my Turkish a lot after I started living in İstanbul. I try to use the language when I am in Turkey and I keep learning a lot of new words. It has been 10 months that I am travelling to and from İstanbul, and I can observe the great improvement in my use of Turkish. Seldom do I fail in accomplishing my aims. I will “perfectionise” my Turkish.

Do the people you speak with in Turkey understand that you are a Cypriot?
They usually think that I am Azerbaijani. As soon as I say that I am a Turkish Cypriot, they reply “We love Halloumi”. (laughs)

What do people usually ask you about Cyprus?
Either the person I meet with or one of his/her relatives turns out to have been to Cyprus before. I mean I come across a lot of people who know about Cyprus. Usually they are curious about Cypriot cuisine. And I tell them with pleasure. But upon being asked about Cyprus, I stop and wonder – everything is just so beautiful about Cyprus, and I do not know where to start to tell. (laughs)

What does Cyprus mean to you?
It means my seed, my roots – my homeland where my heart still beats. Cyprus is very precious to me. Cypriots are affectionate. My grandmother used to say that Cyprus is the island of love, beauty and happiness. I totally agree with her! Cyprus is the island of love!

Have the preparations for the second album been launched already?
I wrote marvellous lyrics in İstanbul. I need to record them - that’s all. As I composed most of the songs in İstanbul, this is going to be an İstanbul album.

It is almost conventional amongst the pop stars in Turkey to include a song by Sezen Aksu.  Are you planning to take one as well for your new album?
Sezen Aksu is the queen of Turkish popular music – she is a precious gem for me. I would so much like to sing one of her songs. Hopefully we will get one. But there are far more exciting surprises for the new album. It is going to be novel in many senses.

Lastly I would like to ask what you think about North Cyprus Magazine...
I think it is a quite successful and interesting magazine. It is rich in contents and there is something to read for everyone – fashion pages, interviews, etc. It looks very trendy

Translation by: Aslı Özgen

(North Cyprus Magazine /2007)

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