Niyal Öztürk and The Tunes
From Hard Rock to Soul
“Niyal Öztürk & The Tunes”
You must have heard the rumors lately that “Niyal Öztürk & The Tunes are amazing.” I had a brief interview with Niyal Öztürk, vocalist of the band, which performs at City and has quickly become a favorite, especially among students. Niyal spoke candidly—here’s what she had to say about the band and herself.
How many years have you been performing in the TRNC?
It’s been two years since I returned to Cyprus. So I’ve been performing for two years.
Where were you before, and when did you start making music?
I started making music as an amateur in 1993, while studying at Boğaziçi University. After graduating, I continued to pursue music alongside my career. Before coming here, I was making music with my band Üçgen on Bağdat Avenue.
Were you able to find work as soon as you got here?
I made the necessary connections before returning to Cyprus, and continued performing on the island as soon as I arrived. While work with the band continued, I also started our mainly classic jazz program at Cafe Dükkan with pianist Hüseyin Kırmızı (Japon). The program has been running for more than a year and a half.
Let’s talk about Niyal Öztürk & The Tunes. When was it formed, and who are the band members?
We formed Niyal Öztürk & The Tunes in November 2007. The band consists of Mert Kozal on lead guitar, Serkan Çelik on guitar, Ufuk Şevki on bass, and Tunca Pekcan on drums. There are very few female rock vocalists on the island, so I believe we’re filling a significant gap.
What’s in your repertoire?
Our repertoire includes many different styles of music, from the 1970s to today, and from hard rock to soul.
Which days do you perform at City, and do you perform anywhere else?
We currently perform every Friday at City Bar. We also take part in rock festivals held at universities. This summer, we’ll meet our fans at a few different venues, with some surprises in store. We’re also planning to fit in a benefit concert among these events. In addition, to support young talent, we’ll host an inter-band music competition at City Bar in the coming weeks.
What do you plan to do in the coming years?
In the coming years, the band will continue performing while also working on original songs.
What would you like to say to the people who come to hear you?
We welcome everyone who wants to hear quality live music to City Bar.
Thank you for this lovely conversation. We wish you and your band every success.
We’re the ones who should thank you for your support.