PERFORMANCE - Nilüfer Yanya
Special performance of “Small Crimes” and “Baby Love”. TEDxTeen opening music by Madijuwon.
Nilüfer Yanya
Growing up in the heart of London, 21-year-old Nilüfer Yanya’s exploration of music was immersive from the very start. After discovering classical piano at secondary school in Pimlico, it was a little later at Saturday music school that Nilüfer’s relationship with the electric guitar grew and was taught by Dave Okumu of The Invisible.
“I had some great teachers and really got into the idea of writing my own songs, being in bands and playing the guitar,” says Nilüfer, “When I first started writing music, I listened to a lot of indie guitar bands such as the Pixies, The Cure and Bloc Party, but since then, my influences have widened and now include more soulful artists like Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley and Bill Withers.”
Calling to mind artists as diverse as Tracy Chapman, King Krule and Portishead, each track Nilüfer writes leaves a perfect imprint of simplicity. She takes her inspiration from iconic songwriters such as Nina Simone and Jeff Buckley, as well as modern influences Conan Mockasin and Rosie Lowe
The subject matter of songs is subservient to mood, beauty and feel. “I don't have a definitive process of writing, but normally I will come up with the main pattern, then the melody and the words follow,” Nilüfer explains.
Nilüfer's music incorporates the city’s urban edge with beautiful wandering guitar lines, downtrodden soulful and jazz flickered melodies, on top of minimalist and atmospheric beats.
Links:
Facebook: /niluferyanya
Sound Cloud – /niluferyanya
Twitter: @niluferyanya