Gazete ETÜ Had a Delightful Interview With Pinhani

We had a sincere chat with Pinhani, a candid group which ventured into the music market in 2004, and which had since proceeded without much pomp and circumstance, but with a unique style. Here we are with Sinan Kaynakçı the singer, Selim Aydın with the bass guitar, Hami Ünlü and Cem Aksel with the drum, Eray Polat and Akın Eldes with the guitar, and Zeynep Eylül Üçer with the keyboard: the “Secret” group Pinhani…

• Whatever you do, it leads to a lasting product. What is your secret?

Sinan: All the objectives we set for ourselves since day one required a long-lasting perspective. We hope that we will maintain our stance for long years. Of course health is a prerequisite for that. We want to continue doing our music for years to come, provided that we are healthy. People really got used to the consumption culture. One way to overcome that is to become very productive. And that forces you to set aside a substantial time for music. We were able to dedicate the required time, to date.

• Don’t you feel a bit uncomfortable with the fact that larger masses got to know you with the Kavak Yelleri series? (Many thought the actor playing Efe character in the series sang the songs!)

Selim: Sure, we wish we were the group which featured on Titanic’s soundtrack. But we can’t complain about our transition from an unknown group to one known throughout Turkey, and Kavak Yelleri played a major part in that transition. It is only natural that we are thought of as the group playing for the series. Dağhan Külegeç (Efe) looks physically similar to Sinan. Their sounds also have a similar tune. Perhaps that may have led some to that misconception.

• Assuming you received another offer for the soundtrack of a series or a movie, what would be your response?

Sinan: Assuming that the production is a good one, and that we are available, we would love to.

• Your albums are composed of many songs of various styles. What is the reason for that? Particularly, your emphasis on folk songs is obvious.

Hami: Every member of the group is a fan of a different genre of music. This can lead to colorful albums. It is only natural. But usually a given group or musician is a good match for a given style, and is expected to perform that style at all times. We do not pay much attention to such expectations, and often act more freely. And a great many people are happy with that attitude.

Sinan: Even the attention we pay to folk songs is not enough. But we are doing something. It beats nothing, right? I hope our efforts will contribute to the popularization of folk songs in Turkey and the wider world.

• The lyrics belong to Sinan Kaynakçı. Are there other lyrics authors in the group? Will we be able to see some examples in future albums?

Eray: I write a few; nothing spectacular. If the whole group likes one of these, of course we could have it in a future album.

• Your new works often make use of some revised versions of your former songs. Is it about improving the works?

Selim: One’s music perspective changes over time. That is why making covers of old songs is sometimes fun. But people always remember the first version they heard of a song. It is possible to do better, but it is not very easy. Our primary aim is to experiment. You not only feature other musicians in your group, you also contribute to the works of others. How that feels as an experience?

Sinan: Every team has its own set of rules. Experiencing such divergences develops one as a person. One gets acquainted with different perspectives. Even what individual teams do on the way to a concert can vary. Some have something to eat and drink, some play games on playstation. Others listen to music, while some others do nothing, and just stare out of the window. That applies for both concerts and recordings.

• Are there any specific names you want to work with?

Eray: Sure there are. Especially we are delighted to work with the best instrument players in Turkey, for our albums. There are many names we have yet to play with.

• You have a large team. What are the advantages and disadvantages of it? What is the nature of the connection within the group, both on- and off-stage.

Selim: The most important characteristic of our team is that all members are as equal as possible. Of course there is some elements of hierarchy, but they are kept to a minimum. Perhaps that is what surprises people we meet most. The most important advantage is of course to have more enjoyable concerts. There are also some disadvantages certainly. Sometimes we get confused. But that’s not a huge problem.

• You have a team named Pinhani İdman Yurdu. Can you tell us a bit about that team?

Sinan: At times we had matches at the destinations we visited. In time, we tried to become a better team by playing matches among us. And we named the team Pinhani İdman Yurdu. Now, people who know about it want to play matches with us. More often than not we play football or basketball. But sometimes we play in other branches as well.

• What do you think about the music industry in Turkey? And what is the greatest problem afflicting that market?

Hami: The market looks like a huge one, but in fact it is not very fruitful. There are only a few well-known names who dominate the whole market. To boot, a majority of those have achieved fame without actually deserving it. And they maintain that fame in one way or another. The cause leading to this state of affairs lies with the unusual expectations of the audience. They expect the musicians to remain popular and talk-of-the-town, rather than to produce new and good albums.

• Even though you are a well-known group, you still can act rather freely. What kind of outlook (head) do you need for that?

Selim: A continuously changing one. We always change how our hair and beard. And you should not dye your head to striking colors, in order to reduce the number of stares you attract.

• As an avid listener, I have observed that, the audience leaves your concerts with a sweet smile and a peaceful mind, regardless of them being a fan or not. What would you say about the interaction you have with the audience?

Sinan: Not all concerts end as such. But fortunately most end well. And that makes us very happy. The feeling is mutual. We have fun as the audience has fun. And vice versa.

• The value you ascribe to your fans is obvious. The greatest example lies in the fact that Eray, one of your greatest fans, is now a member of Pinhani...

Selim: No, no, you’re wrong. We, as a group, were the fans of Eray. He played guitar really well. And he accepted to play with us, because of the fact that he values his fans very much.

Eray: That is exactly accurate. :)

• What does live performance mean for you? I cannot ever think of you using playback for a concert.

Sinan: Why would we? We are in this business because we love to play. And we are capable of playing. Live performance is a most valuable experience for any musician. We hope that we will be able to play in plenty. It is a feeling one cannot really get enough of.

• As a design students I can tell that album covers are also works of art which can be easily identified with Pinhani, and which exhibit a coherent look. Art is always about art, regardless of the form, right?

Selim: That coherence and integrity is most crucial for us as well. All covers are the works of Nihan Şen, rather than of us; but for each occasion we work as a team with her. And that contributes substantially to coherence.

MOST...

• What is the song you are most satisfied with?

Sinan: Perhaps Beni Sen İnandır from the last album.

• The video you love most?

Hami: Geri Dönemem. I was thinking about getting a hair-cut, and I had it during the shoot. Easy-peasy.

• What is your favorite concert hall?

Selim: On these days, for me it is KadıköySahne; it is so close to home.

• Most ... of the group?

Selim the most calm (excessively calm), Eray the most inflammable (defiant), Sinan the most talkative (babbler), Hami the most grumpy...

Interview: Hande Y. Çekindir