Teneke Trampet: "Embracing our work with enthusiasm and passion has been our constant cornerstone."

 *This interview, conducted by Eylül Aşkın, was first published in Turkish on 26.11.2022 on the online art platform sosyeteart.com. https://sosyeteart.com/index.php/2022/11/26/teneke-trampet-yaptigimiz-ise-hevesle-ve-tutkuyla-sarilmamiz-bizim-hic-degismeyen-mihenk-tasimiz-oldu/

Today, we are with Teneke Trampet, a rock band that began its journey in 1997 when Cem, Oğuz, and Özgür, who met while studying at Istanbul German High School, decided to share the songs they wrote by wandering the streets and later expanded their adventure by including various musicians for both short and long durations. Growing and evolving, even 25 years later, the band continues to strive for renewal and improvement, delicately capturing our ears with societal and situational criticisms within their songs. Teneke Trampet is a rock group that loves nature, greenery, and humanity.

You took your name from the novel "The Tin Drum" by Nobel Prize-winning German author Günter Grass, published in 1959 and considered a harsh critique of a painful era. In this book, Grass protests societal corruption through the beats of Oskar's tin drum. Similarly, you criticize the existing order through your music from your own perspective. Considering that you still make symbolic references in your songs, was choosing this name a conscious decision? What is the musical philosophy behind this name?

Cem: Yes, choosing this name was a very conscious decision. It includes a critique, as you mentioned, deriving strength from making this criticism noisily, disturbing the criticized individuals. Moreover, being a book title makes a reference to literature and reading.

Your new single, "Döner Dünya," emerged from contemplating the phrase "gece batıya gider" from a story by Mahir Ünsal Eriş. Can we say that you are a group that reads a lot and is influenced by what you read? What other art forms and/or things inspire you in the process of composing music?

Cem: Speaking for myself, unfortunately, I read much less than before. We are inspired by what we see and hear, as well as what we read. Besides art products, sometimes a news article or an image you come across can be the initial spark. By the way, I must emphasize that a significant part of the songwriting and composing process is more about hard work than inspiration.

Ergin: There will be a song in the album inspired by a column. We enjoy this kind of inspiration.

25 years is a long time... During the early stages of your musical journey, who did you, individually or collectively, choose as idols in your own field? Which musicians and bands have influenced you musically? Are there any other formations today that you feel close to?

Cem: The bands I admired were Bulutsuzluk Özlemi, Mozaik, and Moğollar. As for singer-songwriters, I can mention Bülent Ortaçgil, Fikret Kızılok, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen.

Ergin: I think it's inevitable to be influenced by these esteemed figures as songwriters. I believe we are also influenced by important Classic Rock and Psychedelic Rock bands like Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd. As an instrumentalist, Robben Ford and Yavuz Çetin are names I admire and feel close to.

How would you describe your musical journey both individually and as a group over the past 25 years?

Oğuz: Both our individual and collective journey has been characterized by hard work, perseverance, and unwavering passion. Our dedication to music stems primarily from this passion. We've come a long way in these 25 years. We've collaborated with very talented musicians and continue to do so. However, maintaining our enthusiasm and passion for the work we do has been our constant cornerstone, both for them and for us.

Over the years, with the advancement of technology and the rise of electronic music, general musical preferences have changed. Do you think this process posed a challenge to becoming more recognized? What can you say about the difficulties of standing firm in the market while preserving your style and the content of your music?

Ergin: Actually, I don't see it as a challenge. We try to benefit from the contribution of technology to music without excessively stretching our style. As our songs don't revolve around a single theme, we naturally update ourselves. However, in the current state of digital platforms and the music industry, there may be advantages and disadvantages in our style of music reaching the audience. We are in the process of presenting our music as it comes from within us, without getting too caught up in this issue. I think we need to be patient and see how it unfolds.

What will be the title and theme of your upcoming single set to be released in December?

Oğuz: The title of our upcoming single is "Kum Gibi Akacak" (Flow Like Sand). In this song, we will address those who struggle to forgive after being deceived, and despite everything, we will encourage them to forgive. Because forgiving changes the color of everything, and the world is painted with happiness once again.

Ergin: During the pandemic and afterward, many of us felt disillusioned with ourselves or the world. If even one listener believes that everything can be okay, it brings joy to both us and them.

We know about your interest and support for ecology, the environment, and permaculture, making you one of the preferred groups at festivals in this field. In your opinion, what is the world's most significant concern? Apart from your contributions to festivals, do you individually engage in any efforts in this field? Or is there a group project/organization on your agenda in this area?

Cem: If we try to look from the outside, the biggest concern for the planet Earth is the human species that considers it their property. Like the saying "the pot calling the kettle black," we can all say that we bear the responsibility for this. If as a species, we could learn to be a bit more respectful to others, we could talk much more hopefully about the future.

Ergin: By trying to contribute with our music and loving nature and all living beings, we can exist. We don't have a project on our agenda in this regard, but I can say that there will be new songs.

What are your future goals? Both as a group and individually, what is your most utopian dream in terms of music?

Ergin: A Teneke Trampet tour!

You recently started working with the newly established production company, Nana Yapım. Will there be other surprises awaiting us with this innovation? What can we expect in the upcoming year?

Ergin: First of all, we would like to thank Nana Yapım for being with us on this journey. It's quite different from all the formations we've worked with before. It's a family atmosphere filled with merit and dedication. Our valuable musician friends perform under the title 'Nana Concerts' at Kadıköy The Wall. Let me share the first surprise with you. In the Nana Concert in January, we will be on stage at The Wall with esteemed musicians. This concert will be a launch-like stage where we will be fully present for the first time in a long time, and we'll perform our new songs live for the first time. After that, we will continue to present the songs we have been eagerly waiting to release. We invite everyone to our social media accounts for details.

Where can our readers reach you on social media?

Instagram: teneke.trampet

Twitter: trampetteneke

Facebook: teneketrampet