Derya Yıldırım sings the song her grandmother used to perform, an old Anatolian folk tune called Hop Bico, roughly meaning “Hop Around Bico.” Her grandmother already gave it her own spin, and Derya adds something entirely new, blending hypnotic vocals with a modern psychedelic twist. As Derya says, “If you’re going to play an old folk song, you need to bring something fresh, otherwise you might as well just play the old record.”

Born in Hamburg, Germany to Turkish parents, Derya grew up immersed in her family’s Anatolian roots and the city’s mix of cultures. Her musical journey began at home playing folk music with family, encouraged by her father to learn multiple instruments, starting with the bağlama, a seven-stringed Turkish lute. Later she picked up guitar, piano, and saxophone. Even as a multi-instrumentalist, Derya remains drawn to the bağlama: “There’s just something magical about it.”

With her band Grup Şimşek’s new album Yarın Yoksa (“If There’s No Tomorrow”), Derya continues to reinvent Anatolian folk by fusing timeless melodies with psychedelic, contemporary flair. Ten years ago, she met French musicians Graham Mushnik and Antonin Voyant of Catapulte Records during a community theater project and formed Grup Şimşek. In 2021, drummer Helen Wells from Cape Town joined the international lineup. While they prefer not to label themselves ‘world music’, their style called ‘outernational’ transcends borders.

Derya & Grup Şimşek capture what makes Anatolian folk special: “You need a groove and a melody, and everything around it is free.” Their versions respect the roots while adding new soul: “The melodies stay the same, but the spirit is different.” Although folk is often seen as music of the past, Derya insists it’s just as vital today: “Some of these poems were written hundreds of years ago but remain relevant. This music is the voice of the people, of minorities, and of the oppressed.”

After self-producing several albums, they signed with Big Crown Records in 2024 and teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Leon Michels for Yarın Yoksa. With nine original tracks and three traditional folk songs, the album balances preservation with innovation. Derya’s passion and authenticity are at the heart of the music, making it impossible not to be moved. And wait until you catch them live, it’s an experience you won’t forget.

For fans of: Gaye Su Akyol, YĪN YĪN, Altın Gün, Selda Bağcan, El Michels Affair, Menahan Street Band