Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I spent my childhood in Istanbul, a city that’s like a cultural mosaic where Europe and Asia connect both physically and culturally. I was exposed to many different artists and genres, often buying cassettes from our local music store. I grew up listening to local folk legends like Zeki Müren and Barış Manço, as well as global rock icons like Queen and Led Zeppelin.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “The Guv”?
A: I have no commercial intentions, or let’s say it’s not the main driver. If success comes, it would only be a positive consequence of the real purpose behind my music. In a world becoming increasingly complex and transactional, I want to create a space to slow down and invite people to truly listen to something beyond the mainstream. Something created from the soul, not from a marketing strategy.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I can’t name just one. Many artists have influenced my music, consciously or unconsciously. I love early Kate Bush (The Kick Inside album), 70s Queen, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Van Der Graaf Generator, Genesis, Jethro Tull, and Tim Buckley. I also find flamenco legend Camarón de la Isla and Fado diva Amália Rodrigues incredibly inspiring. Among more recent artists, I really enjoy some of Aurora’s work. I’m sure I’m forgetting many others.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Nervous By Design”?
A: It’s that feeling you get when you revisit the neighbourhood you grew up in. Everything looks smaller. Problems that once felt huge now seem almost meaningless. That shift in perspective, blended with nostalgia and a hint of sadness, inspired the song. My strongest memories are from the mid-90s: trading Euro ‘96 stickers with friends, no smartphones, no Internet like we know it today, just imagination, laughter, and a sense of endless possibility. Life felt like a fantasy world, and we were the characters. The song is about missing that kind of innocence and recognising how growing up brings a certain nervousness about life, choices, and what could’ve been.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Misfit.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Nervous By Design”?
A: It’s always a challenge to get the mix right, especially with a song like Nervous By Design, which is built around hundreds of channels, including layered vocal choir sections. Fortunately, my producer and guitarist, Burak Kahraman, who also plays multiple instruments on the track, is highly experienced and often understands my vision even better than I do. We’ve also been working with Oli Morgan from Abbey Road Studios, who stem-mastered the song. So we have a strong team in place to handle the technical side and work through any obstacles effectively.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I don’t have an overarching message. Honestly, I’d feel a bit cringe claiming I have a master plan to change how people think about anything. I’m not entitled to that. I just focus on creating what I’m passionate about. And if even one person connects with it, that’s enough for me. What more could I ask for?
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: It would be Zeki Müren, the Turkish folk legend. The idea of him singing a rock song is wild. It would be like opening a portal to another dimension.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: I’m not in a position to give advice. And to be fair, I probably wouldn’t take advice from anyone either, regardless of their commercial success. So maybe that’s my advice.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Drink more water. Avoid fried stuff.
