Who is Defne when the music is stripped away?
It is Fauziia — a daydreamer, a romantic young woman for whom art is a fundamental need. That is why I created Defne. She embodies the most powerful parts of me — the things I usually lack the courage to express openly.
What was the process behind your debut single “Yaңalıklar,” and what does the song mean to you?
That was my first experience of songwriting in a team. I took part in the TatCultLab showcase, whose mission was to bring musicians and poets of Kazan together and collaborate on modern tatar music. At the time, I wasn’t confident in my skills as a lyricist, so my role was to shape the overall mood of the song through the vocal topline. I think we did a great job, and that was the moment I realized that everyone has their own role to play and that it’s important to focus on what you do best.
Would you like to talk about the challenges of making music and building a career between cultures?
Yes. If there are more specific questions, I am open! But speaking briefly, it’s easier than it seems. You just need to learn the art of balance. For me, that balance means conjoining modern sound and visuals with a distinctive cultural DNA.
After performing in Berlin and other cities, what kind of response have you received to hearing Tatar Music on stage?
The majority of the audience consisted of Tatars living outside their historical homeland. Yet those who are deeply attached to their roots and language. What they told me was the most heartwarming thing: “You brought us home.” Speaking of non-Turkic audiences, they were impressed by the musical and phonetic aspects of my music and were curious about the cultural references in my songs.
How has the final stretch of your new album been feeling for you and the team?
We’ve definitely outdone ourselves, and we can’t wait to share it. Every recording session was deeply emotional. We came to a conclusion that this album is way more mature, intimate and it represents an evolved version of ourselves in every way.
Your catalog features only a few collaborations. Are there any artists you’re planning to work with in the near future?
I’m quite picky about that. But yes, there will be one unexpected collaboration on the album. It’s becoming a nice tradition: one album, one feature.
Are you planning a world tour next year? Are there any countries or cities you’d especially like to visit?
I wish I could plan my regular trips. But overall, yes, that would be a dream. For now, I’m focusing on festivals cause they are more financially predictable. But who knows. Maybe after the album release, I’ll get around to touring. In any case, I’d love to perform in Berlin again. I dream of performing in Kazakhstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan someday. I think that there are lots of my people.
Where do you see Tatar music in ten years, and do you expect greater investment in its global growth?
I hope that musicians of my generation will inspire the younger one to be bolder and brighter, and that Tatar Music will become even more diverse and vibrant. Me and many other arts professionals from different fields are actively working to make our voices more visible and to bring Tatar Culture to a wider audience. Of course, all of this has the potential to bring Tatar Art to the global stage.