Luna Erşahin: Kurdish music and my identity are at the core of my art
Artist Luna Erşahin, daughter of a Danish mother and a Kurdish father, talked about her musical life, her work with the band AySay, and her cultural ties.
Luna Erşahin, an artist who sings in eight languages and is the daughter of a Danish mother and a Kurdish father, shared her cultural roots in her musical life, her work with the AySay band, and her future goals.
Kurdish identity and musical bond
Carrying out her musical work in Denmark, Luna Erşahin brings traditional Kurdish music together with different genres. Stating that her mother is Danish and her father is Kurdish, the artist expresses that she feels 100 percent Kurdish.
Stating that her family's roots trace back to North Kurdistan, Erşahin emphasizes that although she cannot fully speak it officially, she has listened to Kurdish music all her life and that singing in Kurdish is in her blood.
Recognition with 'Ez Kevok im'
The traditional Kurdish song 'Ez Kevok im' holds an important place in the artist reaching a wide audience. The video for the song was filmed at a music camp in Chile.
Stating that great interest arose when Kurds saw the video on social media, Erşahin conveyed that singing Kurdish music in Chile was found quite remarkable by the people.
The AySay band and cultural encounter
Erşahin gives concerts in different countries around the world with the band AySay, which she founded about 10 years ago with two Danish friends. Songs in Kurdish, Danish, and Turkish are performed in the band.
Using the tembur, def, bass, and guitar in their music, the band members are seen as a family to the artist, and the combination of Danish and Kurdish offers a natural expression.
Different languages and sources of inspiration
Stating that she sings in eight languages, Erşahin touches upon the effect of different languages on her art, expressing that this means getting to know different cultures.
Bringing modern pop music together with traditional music, the artist attaches great importance to experimenting and making mistakes during her production processes.
Career goals and regional visit
Selected for Denmark's young talent program, Den Unge Kunstneriske Elite, Erşahin states that she has found more opportunities to shape her career thanks to this.
Seeing it as a major dream to visit the Kurdistan Region, the artist particularly desires to see Erbil and Sulaymaniyah and to participate in Newroz celebrations.