Gaye Su Akyol began singing after being inspired by the great Turkish divas Selga Bağcan and Müzeyyen Senar, though she has also been heavily influenced by Sonic Youth, Nirvana and Nick Cave. Akyol studied anthropology before the start of her musical career, but everything changed after she encountered the Istanbul group Bubituzak. They recorded their first album together in 2013, though they would have to wait another three years for their international breakthrough. They really hit the big time after the release of their second album, Hologram Ĭmparatorluğu, a record that contained everything which makes Akyol irresistible: a wonderful voice with Anatolian roots, enveloped by traditional instruments and psychedelic guitars, soaring high between East and West.
The story of Meszecsinka began in 2008, when Annamari Oláh and Emil Biljarszki, the singer and keyboard player from the group Fókatelep, began performing together under the name Fókaszalon. After becoming established as a duo, they began adding new members, which led to the birth of Meszecsinka, with musical influences from all corners of the world. They released a self-titled debut album, Meszecsinka, before moving on to Kinyílok, released two years later, a record which suggested a turn towards introspection. This inner path led to the unsettling Álomban ébren album, which featured a level of drama rarely found in Hungarian world music. The album deservedly received the 2018 Fonogram Award in the Hungarian folk and world music category.

Presented by: Müpa Budapest