Merve Daşdemir
Merve Daşdemir | |
|---|---|
Merve performing in Utrecht, Netherlands in 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Merve Daşdemir September 20, 1987 |
| Genres | |
Merve Daşdemir, also known professionally as Merve (stylized in all caps), is a Turkish-Dutch singer and musician best known as a former vocalist and keyboardist for the Anatolian rock band Altin Gün.[1]
Music career
Merve joined Altin Gün in 2016 after responding to an online ad posted by future bandmate Jasper Verhulst who was looking to form a band that would combine the sounds of traditional Turkish rock with psychedelia.[2] The band released five studio albums with Merve as a lead vocalist. In 2019, their sophomore album, Gece was nominated for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards (2019) in the Best World Music Album category.[3][4] Together they have made multiple tours of Europe and North America and have performed at Coachella. Merve's fifth and final studio album with Altin Gün, titled Aşk was released in March 2023.[5] Prior to her departure from the band, she provided vocals for a couple more singles, "Vallahi Yok" and "Kirik Cam".
In February 2024, the band announced on their social media pages that Merve had decided to quit the band and begin a solo career. She continued to perform with Altin Gün until the following May.[6][7] In February 2025, she released her first solo single titled "Platonik" as Merve. The song was co-produced with Christopher McLaughlin and a music video was directed by Tayfun Akbaş. The full album is to be released in the fall of 2025 under her own independent record label called Alabanda Records.[8] Merve is also currently working on a Turkish/Hindi musical collaboration with Piya Malik of Say She She. After 11 years living in the Netherlands, Merve relocated to Turkey since her departure from Altin Gün.[9]
Personal life
In 2017, Merve married Jan Derks, bassist for the band Chef'Special.[10]
Discography
Albums
- Platonik (2025)
Singles
- "Platonik" (2025)
- "YGO (Yarınlar Güzel Olacak)" (2025)
References
- ^ Brian Blueskye (24 April 2022). "Coachella 2022: Altın Gün brings Turkish rock-funk to big crowd on Sunday". The Desert Sun. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ Marshall, Alex (2 March 2021). "One of Turkey's Hottest Rock Bands Has an Unlikely Source". The New York Times.
- ^ "Grammy Award Results for Altin Gün". Grammy Awards. 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Waters, Cheryl (6 May 2019). "Altın Gün - Süpürgesi Yoncadan". Song of the day podcast. KEXP. Archived from the original on 2 March 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Major, Michael (11 January 2023). "Altin Gün to Release Aşk Album in March". Broadway World. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ @altingunband; (13 February 2024). "We have some news to share. After almost eight years with Altın Gün, Merve has decided to start a new musical chapter and quit the band. Although it's sad, it's a choice we fully support and understand. Our clubshows in April and May will be Merve's farewell tour and we're really looking forward to doing this one more time together! We're eternally grateful for the energy, creativity and dedication Merve brought to the band. After Merve's departure we will continue as a 5-piece. An exciting new chapter for Altın Gün. Expect new music very soon!". Archived from the original on 4 October 2025. Retrieved 4 October 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ Labrèche, Louis-Philippe (13 February 2024). "Merve Daşdemir quitte Altin Gün" [Merve Daşdemir leaves Altin Gün]. Le Canal Auditif. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ Orange, Serpil (24 April 2025). "Grammy Nominee Merve's Journey to Hope: 'Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful'". YeniBirlik.
- ^ Solmaz, Eda (12 May 2025). "Merve Daşdemir: Artık kendi hikayemi anlatma zamanı geldi" [Merve Daşdemir: It's time to tell my own story]. Aposto (in Turkish). Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ Palo Santo. "Merve Daşdemir". Kinecka. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021.