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I don’t know when I started making music. The radio was always on at home, and I grew up with traditional melodies. Every tune on the radio told a different story; the cheerful ones never really touched me. Because when awareness and empathy become active in a person’s soul, a certain sadness becomes inevitable. Maybe that’s where it all started for me. I always carried melancholic melodies in my bag.

I shaped myself by singing the same folk songs over and over again. I found my own tone, and I felt that I could say, “I exist in music.” When I was around ten, I became eager to play the bağlama.
But over time, I realized it wasn’t just enthusiasm— because I’m still playing.

I was born in Istanbul and started playing the bağlama at a young age.
My musical journey began in Turkey and became more active in the UK, where I continue to perform and teach bağlama.
I play traditional Turkish and Kurdish folk songs as well as my own compositions.
Music is my way of expressing emotions, telling stories, and preserving culture.
I believe in its
power to connect people and strive to blend tradition with modern influences.
I’m continuing my music work on different projects in Bristol.

EventsDate
Calstock Festival - Ozcan ATES & Eastern Strings1781377200 Jun 13, 2026
Home from Home - Curzon Cinema1781893800 Jun 19, 2026
Cotham Parish Church1795804200 Nov 27, 2026
Past EventsDate
Özcan Ateş Singer Lantern Hall1759042800 Sep 28, 2025

Ongoing Projects

Experience

2021
  • The Fantasy Orchestra St. George’s Hall
2022
  • Live Music Performance – Tobacco Factory Theatres
  • Live Theatre Music – ACTA Theatre
  • Dovetail Orchestra – St. George’s Hall
2023
  • Workshop – Bristol Beacon
  • Bristol Refugee Festival – Queen Square Park
  • Bristol Halbour Festival – Bristol Center
2024
  • Dovetail Album Recording – Bristol University Music Studio
  • Workshop – Bristol Beacon
  • Eastern Strings Concert – Cotham Parish Church
  • Cube Cinema Concert
  • Bristol Refugee Festival – Queen Square Park
  • Workshop – UWE University
  • Bristol Refugee Festival – Queen Square Park
  • High Sheriff Concert – St. George’s Hall
  • Eastern Strings Concert – Calne Music Festival
  •  
2025
  • Vilk Project – St. George’s Hall
  • George’s Hall Glass Room Solo Concert
  • St. George’s Hall Concert with Dovetail
  • Bath Refugee Festival
  • Bristol Refuge Festival – Queen Square Park
  • Curzon Cinema – Concert
  • Arnolfini Brıstol
  •