Awarded Singer-Songwriter

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Absolutely, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh and Dimash Kudaibergen! Both are fusion artists who showcase phenomenal musicianship in many different genres. They also blend traditional music with jazz, classical and other styles to create a unique sound, demonstrating exceptional vocal range and versatility. Their talent as vocalists and songwriters across various genres truly resonates with me.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The opportunity to work with diverse individuals. Each project presents a chance to learn something new, which continually stimulates my growth and development as an artist.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I’d describe my style as 'fusion' since I grew up listening to and singing a mix of influences. I’ve got the microtonal scales and vocal ornaments from Middle Eastern music, plus the odd rhythms of Cypriot music, along with Western styles like jazz, blues, soul and pop from my conservatory studies. So when I write my own songs, you can hear little hints from all these styles, and I can write and sing in each of them.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When writing a new song tailored to a client's specific vision, emotion, story and concept, I find that experimenting with samples often leads to the discovery of an initial sound that can spark the entire production. When I identify that 'signature' riff, rhythm or sound, it sets the direction for the rest of the track.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I produced a song which I sang and played myself for a historical documentary titled The Divided Island, which is currently being screened in cinemas across the UK. The documentary reveals untold stories about the war and division on the island, Cyprus. It features interviews with many Cypriots living in various countries, and one interviewee, an 87-year-old mother, shared a deeply emotional and harrowing story about her son, who went to war and never returned. Her pain and unwavering hope after five decades of uncertainty inspired me to write and perform the song, which I later performed live; some audience members were moved to tears. I’d say this project is one of the ones I’m most proud of.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: I’d take my 25th Edition Neumann TLM 103 microphone - only 500 of these were made globally! I’d also bring a portable IsoVox vocal booth, Universal Audio Apollo Twin interface, Arturia KeyLab 49 MkII, and my Beyerdynamic DT Pro headphones. With these, I could create some great music, no matter where!:)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: After years of studying and performing, I’ve developed a singing technique that brings a lot of variety to a song like range, unique timbre and different singing styles based on the genre. But for me, recording isn’t just about technical proficiency; it’s about really connecting with the song. I dive into its story and emotions, literally pouring my heart and soul into each performance to bring the character to life.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For vocal recording projects, I begin by actively listening and understanding the client’s needs and expectations, providing my insights as needed. We then discuss how I can specifically contribute to their vision. Once we reach an agreement, I thoroughly analyze the music, its structure and the emotional narrative. I experiment with various vocal interpretations during my recording session and ultimately share the best version with the client.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I record using a Neumann TLM 103 microphone in a fully acoustically treated studio.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I primarily record vocals for producers, composers and film composers, contributing to their projects, orchestral works and film scores. Additionally, I write and perform original songs for cinematic productions and jingles for various companies.