1/ So First Off - Tell Us your Name, City and Country and what you currently do for a living?
Mert Turan - Music to Curator
Hi I'm Mert, I live in Ankara, study Philosophy at Middle East Technical University and work at Radio ODTU 103.1 as production manager.
2/ Is This Something You Always Wanted To Do? What Do You Enjoy About It?
I am always madly fond of creating playlists, I guess. As I heard a so damn unique tune, I want to hear more and search alike tunes. It's like an obsession but you know, I can't help it. What I enjoy so much is that I can be where I wanna be unconditionally, when I turn the playlist on. It helps me to get away with stuff especially when I am really fucked up. It's beautiful.
3/ Tell Us About Your First Musical Memory - Why Do You Think You Remember It?
My very first musical memory I remember is about Shakira. She was at the top of the three those times and I was a 5 year old kid. Laundry Service was just released and it was such an alpha plus album. I remember I kept listening that one all the time. I think it's about the intensity of the sound. It meant something warm to me to remember.
4/ Who Did You Make Your First Mixtape / Playlist For - What Was The Result - Did They Dig It?
I was a tough teenager. I wanted every song to be mine. I used to have that sense of ownership. Well, I still do sometimes... I was digging and discovering for new sounds so actually I did my first playlist for myself that is to say for my own good and sanity.
5/ What Made You Go Online And Search About Music Curation?
While I was doing internship at Musicto, we had a great time with Andrew last summer. I learned lots of stuff about the industry and more. Andrew asked me if I could handle a playlist in Turkish. It was the first playlist idea in foreign language so I accepted it gladly.
6/ Tell us about the name of your Playlist - where did that come from?
My playlist is named Music to Save Anatolia. The playlist that starts from the founders of the first music movements in the modern sense in Turkey to the beginning of the millenium is actually a story of an evolution and change.
7/ What does a track have to have to make it onto your list, is there something special that you look for?
My playlist is not limited in any way at all. Any sound can take a place in Save Anatolia. The only important thing is that it must reflect the Anatolia as it is. Not faking it. If I feel that vibe in any song, I would love to write about that one and how it made me feel.
8/ What can an artist do in their track submission to your list to ensure that you'll listen to their track?
Artists can get in contact with me through the submit a track section on the website. It's an almost guaranteed way to make sure that I will listen to your tracks. I'd like to take my time and give it a chance.
9/ We know - these change all the time - but as of this week - what are your all time top 5 favorite tracks.
Ugh, it's hard. Well...
- Lazarus by David Bowie
- Back Down South by Kings of Leon
- How To Dissappear Completely by Radiohead
- Follow The Cops Back Home by Placebo
- American Dream by LCD Soundsystem
10/ And finally - which Music to Curator should we interview next?
Vicky from Music to Experience Urban Love Affairs must be the next interview, because it's a killer one and one of my favourite musicto playlists.