A strong inspiration for freedom seekers in and around Turkey

Ferhat Tunç is a singer with a deep concern for all the people living in and around Turkey. In this project he shows his solidarity with Kurds, Alevis, Yazidies and Armenians, by writing and performing songs about their stories, their suffering and pain, their hopes and the richness they bring to Anatolia and Mesopotamia and to all of the landscapes within Turkey and the surrounding countries. The title of the album, “Kobani” has a message about how important it is to defend the precious and often threatened liberty, traditions and culture in the whole area. 

“Kobani” is a dynamic album in the genre of “World Music”, with elements from Turkish and Kurdish traditions framed by western singer-songwriter pop/rock styles. 

In one of the tracks the famous Sami artist Mari Boine sings a duet with Ferhat Tunc. Her contribution has a symbolic meaning, because she represents a minority in the Scandinavian countries with a history similar to the Kurds in Anatolia.  Ferhat Tunç has also himself experienced what freedom fighters in the area have faced. He is paying the price of opposing by standing strong with his music and the stories he keeps alive. Fed with the sounds of history, poetry and music, “Kobani” carries the cries of the lost ones to the sky. With Ferhat Tunç’s voice, singing in Turkish, Kurdish and Armenian languages and with contributions from some worldwide-recognised Norwegian and Turkish musicians, we are proud to release this unique album.

Among the people participating in Ferhat Tunc’s new album are Osman Ismen who has arranged all the songs, assisted by Norwegian guitarist Knut Reiersrud, 

Alp Dogan Tureci and Rune Arnesen who play drums and percussion, 

Øyvind Kristiansen on piano, Eyup Hamish on ney and Ertan Tekin on duduk.

A string ensemble from Istanbul and a youth choir from Oslo also play important roles on the CD. 

 “Kobani” is following the Album “Suvare Kirmanciye’ (2012), which was lamenting the 1938 genocide on the Kurdish people of Dersim. Ferhat Tunç is a Saga collector, passing on his stories, because he concerns for the traces not to get lost. With these old and new songs of resistance he exclaims the scars of the hurt ones and raises peoples’ hope. He also becomes a voice for the languages and cultures whose existence has been denied. 

The album is mixed by Jan Erik Kongshaug in Rainbow Studio, Oslo and produced by Erik Hillestad from KKV.

Track list: 

1. Anne Beni Haziranda Bul - Find Me in June, Mother                       5:44

2. Kobani                                                                                                  5:16                  

3. Vurdular Bizi - The Shot Us                                                               6:06

4. Hewre şayi (aşure Demenu) - Tribe Demenan                                 6:09

5. Ali Ismail'e Ağit - Ali Ismail                                                                 5:57

6. Vuruldular (üç Kadin) - Fallen                                                            5:55

7. Sonde Halvoriye                                                                                  5:05

8. Naro Can                                                                                             4:07

9. Dersim (Alişer) - Dersim                                                                    4:43

10. Dere Emirxani - river Emirghan (Duet with Mari Boine)                5:44

11. Ömrüm Benim - My Life                                                                   5:21

12. Şengale - Shengal                                                                           5:28