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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
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
  •