Cigdem Aslan

Çigdem Aslan is a rising star in the revival of rebetiko, the bitter-sweet, devil-may-care songs of an exiled underclass, sung in hash dens and café aman music houses of Athens, Piraeus and Istanbul of the turbulent 1920s. Born in Istanbul to Kurdish parents, and now living in London, Çigdem absorbed the ethnic mosaic that makes up modern Turkey throughout her singing childhood. With character, charm and emotion, her delightful voice takes audiences on a journey: with passion and humour she opens the door on old songs which speak about life, love, hopes and struggles of everyday people.

"one of the year's best new discoveries" - The Guardian