In November, one of Turkiye’s coolest exports, Islandman, will be returning to London to play Camden’s Koko as part of their European tour.

Formed a decade ago, Islandman comprises of multi-instrumentalist and producer Tolga Böyük, Eralp Güven (percussion) and Erdem Başer (guitars). The three-piece underground band have gained an international following with their eclectic, otherworldly music that is rooted in Anatolia and blended with global dance groves.

Their 2021 long play Godless Ceremony features 10 tracks that are both uplifting and down-tempo, marrying “electronic motifs and stuttering electronic drum machine syncopations” on their global sonic adventures.

Feel the Ecuadorian tropics in Amarnos Ahora, savour Malian desert blues with Tarhamanine Assinegh featuring Tuareg musicians Tamikrest, and lose yourself in the hypnotic sounds of North India and the Drums Of Colca, before ending up at the band’s spiritual homeland with Kara Toprak and classic folk song Dere Boyu Kavaklar reimagined.

Earlier this year, Islandman released a direct-to-disc live recording with legendary percussionist Okay Temiz and contemporary saz virtuoso Muhlis Berberoğlu. Described as “Balearic folktronica”, this is 53 minutes of musical brilliance where the band’s hypnotic electro-melodic sound expands to include “experimental instruments, neo-traditional rhythms and folk improvisation” that speaks to the mind, body and soul.

After a variety of summer festival dates, Islandman have just embarked on their 18-date Popsicle Obstacle tour of Europe, kicking off in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

T-VINE caught up with group founder, musician and producer Tolga Böyük just before they left for the Dutch capital for a quick Q&A.

How did Islandman members come to be making music and to meet each other?

 

During our college years, we met in the music scene of the [Turkish] capital city Ankara. There used to be a great scene of live music with lots of venues and bands. Although we all played in different projects for a while, we have been together in Islandman for almost 10 years.

What’s influenced your eclectic, trance-like sound?

Re-discovering 70s Turkish music is a big influence. And lots of visits to Berlin and festivals like Fusion Festival; I think these two different worlds have been the formula behind our sound. Actually, it’s still shaping with us. This year, we started writing lyrics and are looking forward to seeing what our sound will grow into.

Given your global travels, which gig has rocked it the best to the sounds of Islandman?

The Montreux Jazz and Fusion Festivals. It is very special to create sounds out of silence at Montreux Jazz Festival and to share our music in the middle of the crowd in nature at Fusion Festival.

How did your brilliant direct-to-discs live session featuring Okay Temiz and Muhlis Berberoglu come about?

We’ve been in touch with Night Dreamer Records for a direct-to-disc session. We wanted to go there with a special crew; Okay Temiz and Muhlis Berberoğlu, I think it was an amazing fusion between genres and generations. Personally, I think it’s a timeless record too 🙂 [smiley face].

You’re due to play the iconic Koko in November. What can people expect from your upcoming show there?

We missed playing in London. Two years ago, we had two amazing sold-out shows at the Jazz Cafe, and the vibe was so lovely. We will be at Koko for the first time.

We invited Hey! Douglas, an amazing producer from Istanbul, who will play the opening set. And then we will be on the stage with new tracks and special guests. We’re super excited about this.

What do you most like about London?

We have met amazing people, they have been a big influence on being a musician, I think London has one of the best music scenes.

Catch Islandman live at Koko on Saturday, 4 November. Click here for more info and tickets.