Altin Gün Pays Tribute to Neşet Ertaş | New Album News

Altın Gün Announces New Album ‘Garip’ Inspired by Anatolian Folk Legend Neşet Ertaş

A new album from Amsterdam-based band Altın Gün,titled Garip,will arrive on February 20 via ATO Records,drawing heavily from the extensive catalog of celebrated Turkish folk musician Neşet Ertaş. the project represents a deep personal connection for the band and a continuation of their exploration of Anatolian musical traditions.

Honoring a Turkish Icon

Neşet Ertaş, a pivotal figure in Turkish music, penned hundreds of songs and released over 30 albums beginning in 1957.He is widely recognized for revitalizing the aşık folk tradition, making it accessible to contemporary audiences. Ertaş received the State Medal of Distinguished Service from the turkish Grand National Assembly in 2006, six years before his death in 2012 at the age of 74.

For Altın Gün, the connection to Ertaş is profoundly personal. “Both of my parents are from Turkey, from the same area he is from,” shared a member of the band. “It’s the music that I grew up with. When I was five, six years old, my grandfather always had cassettes by Neşet Ertaş and I used to listen to it all day long. Then,I was too young to really understand the lyrics and the meaning,but I really liked the melodies. [They’re] stories about what he’s facing in life. The Turkish traditional music is the blues of the Turkish people.”

Did you know? – Neşet Ertaş was a master of the bağlama, a long-necked lute central to Turkish folk music. He also composed poetry and was known for his improvisational skills during live performances.

A Universal Appeal beyond Language

Altın Gün’s music transcends linguistic barriers, captivating listeners even without understanding the Turkish lyrics. As one musician explained, “That’s what I like about our music. It’s very universal, I guess, even though it’s exotic. Apparently, it still speaks to a lot of people.” This broad appeal has contributed to the band’s growing success, with their previous album, Aşk, released in 2023, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 15 on the Top Independent Albums tally.

The lead single, “Nerede,” premiered on BBC Radio 6 Music and is available now. Garip features collaborations with the Stockholm Studio Orchestra, adding another layer of sonic depth to the project.Following the album’s release, Altın Gün will embark on a European tour in 2026, kicking off on January 31 in Maastricht, Holland. This tour will build on the momentum generated by Aşk and further solidify Altın Gün’s position as a leading force in contemporary Turkish psych music.

Pro tip: – Altın Gün’s name translates to “Golden Day” in Turkish. The band formed in 2016 with the goal of introducing Turkish folk music to a wider international audience.

Why is this happening? Amsterdam-based band Altın Gün is releasing a new album, Garip, as a tribute to the influential Turkish folk musician Neşet Ertaş. The band feels a deep personal connection to Ertaş’s music, having grown up listening to his work.

Who is involved? Altın Gün, a Dutch band specializing in Anatolian rock and Turkish folk music, is the primary artist. The album honors Neşet Ertaş, a celebrated Turkish folk musician who died in 2012. The Stockholm studio Orchestra also contributed to the album.

What is the album about? Garip is a collection of songs inspired by and based on the music of Neşet Ertaş. It aims to revitalize his work for a contemporary audience and showcase the beauty of Anatolian folk traditions. The album also features orchestral arrangements.

How did it end? The album will be released on February 20, 2026, followed by a European tour beginning January 3