Two Halves of Funk Melancholia
Merve Erdem and Kit Martin are two halves of Kit Sebastian. Formed in London in 2018, the band created a sound that is quite unique, in which they integrate different styles of music. Kit is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who has been interested in music since childhood. Merve is a multidisciplinary artist; besides the vocals of the group, she also directs the music videos herself. The songs they added an original interpretation with their touch; brings together polyphony ranging from Anatolian melodies to psychedelic rock, from French pop to jazz all in one channel. Capturing a unique aesthetic visually as well as audibly, the duo manages to make their retro-inspired world dominant in every area. We met with the duo, who came to Istanbul as part of the Mix Festival, in the backstage of Zorlu PSM and learn more about their inspiration process.
Is there a story behind the name Kit Sebastian?
Merve Erdem: It’s just a name that bears no relation to anything. We think it’s a memorable name that sounds nice.
You have a very unique sound, which integrates different styles. How would you describe your music?
Kit Martin: We never try to describe our music because the way we create music is not very conscious, but we suppose we can say it’s ‘Funk which contains melancholy’.
Does your interest in music come from childhood? Growing up, was there anyone in the family interested in music?
Kit: I had a guitar and a cassette player/recorder so I would experiment with sound a lot as a kid, like musique concrete. I only learnt music theory after this in my late teens.
Merve: I used to play a bit of keyboard as a child, writing simple vocal melodies and lyrics. I grew up listening to a lot of TSM, Turkish folk and pop music.
”I think the worse compliment I’ve ever received was ‘I love the samples you’ve used in your music”
Kit Martin
Creating something collaboratively with someone is very different from working alone. What is your creative process like?
Merve: Both spaces of creation have different benefits and hurdles. We mix them, usually the starting point comes during isolation. We work on our own, then we meet, ideas are bounced around and put together.
What has been the most unexpected challenge for you during your musical journey?
Kit: Before we were signed or had released anything, creating music, music videos and organising photoshoots was quite scary when we didn’t know if it would ever be released.
Merve: The first 2 years of Kit Sebastian (after we got signed) I also had some demanding full time jobs in film production, working almost 6-7 days a week, late hours. Initially I thought I could handle it but it was quite tough to keep it together.
Living or dead, which artist would you like to perform on stage with? (Except Selda Bağcan)
Kit: I think the Turkish percussionist Okay Temiz would bring a lot to our music.
Merve: It’d have been so cool to rearrange our songs and play with an orchestra conducted by Morricone.
We can feel the touch of 60s and 70s in your sound. But which era of music you feel the most distant from?
Kit: I’ve never really felt close to a lot of the music that came out of the 90s, both the production and spirit feels quite alien to me.
Merve: 40’s Swing
Music is both very timeless and very periodical. The past is a constant source of inspiration, but sounds continue to evolve. How do you think music will change in the future?
Kit: I think people are bored of being alone, after the alienation caused by an inflated housing market meaning people can’t live near each other and lockdowns from the pandemic. I think music will become more of a group exercise and less insular.
Merve: I hope that the availability of different genres and eras of music will expand people’s music tastes, will make music industry more inclusive and we’ll get out of the tyranny of music sung in English and start enjoying other languages more, discovering the richness of musicality that each language and territory have.
Having the biggest record collection? Or being able to play every instrument?
Kit: Playing every instrument, but badly so interesting musical accidents arise out of it.
Merve: Playing every instrument, for sure!
Where do you look when you need inspiration?
Kit: Watching an Eastern European film or a walk in the countryside.
Merve: I just like being alone, watching more films, listening and reading more. Singing the songs that make me feel something special. Creating a more selective connection to reality.
Where is your dream concert venue?
Kit: Baku jazz centre
Merve: The Ancient theatre of Taormina
You both have a background in film. Common interests like this brought you together. Your music videos are directed by Merve and have a strong visual language. So, what is your all time favorite music video?
Merve: I don’t have all time’s favourite but the first ones that come to my mind is Justice – Stress or Les Parisiennes – On reçoit, on envoie
You have the chance to compose the soundtrack of any movie you want; which movie would you choose?
Kit: Loves of a Blonde – Miloš Forman
Merve: Images – Robert Altman
‘’I hope that the availability of different genres and eras of music will expand people’s music tastes, will make music industry more inclusive and we’ll get out of the tyranny of music sung in English and start enjoying other languages more, discovering the richness of musicality that each language and territory have.’’
Merve Erdem
Favorite album cover of all time?
Kit: Vagif Mustafazadeh – Джазовые Композиции
Merve: Banda Black Rio – Maria Fumaca (makes me happy to look at it and I love this album so much!)
What’s the worst compliment you’ve ever received?
Kit: “I love the samples you’ve used in your music”.
If you could give one piece of advice to each other’s 2017 version, what would it be?
Kit: Do everything you can yourself, not just out of necessity but out of the spirit of DIY.
Merve: Move abroad for a few years, possibly to a Mediterranean country and expose yourself to life out of your comfort zone more.
What do you enjoy doing most in Istanbul?
Kit: Buying musical instrument shops near Galata Tower then playing them by the Bosphorus.
Merve: Walking by the Bosphorus or taking a ferry or meeting a good friend and talk for hours in a cafe
In a book about your life, what would be the title of this chapter you’re currently in?
Kit: Chapter 28
What’s next on your reading list?
Kit: Everything was forever, until it was no more
Merve: Writings on Cinema – Germaine Dulac
A dream you have about the future that excites you?
Kit: New music, new directions, new instruments.
Merve: More music, more gigs, new video projects, fresh collaborations, longer holidays, less time in London and around Londoners
A musician or band you discovered recently?
Kit: SOYUZ (СОЮ3)
Merve: Soyuz also for me, more people should discover and listen to them!
Interview by Yağmur Yıldız
Photography by Yağız Yeşilkaya
FROM BASED ISTANBUL NO41: HOPE ISSUE