Interview: RUKIYE & TYLARIK

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

T. As a child, I always dreamed about being on the big stage while sharing my songs. As for other interests in life, I believe I would be in some kind of entertainment field because of the feeling I get when I’ve left it all on the stage and the audience shows its gratitude!

R, from when I remember me, I was singing, I am also a dentist, those two are my big loves and I am blessed that I do both in my life.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

T. Boating would be my first answer. When boating on a good day, the ocean soothes and heals any stress build up. Then I find myself singing and feeling creative.

R. Traveling, I love travels, and I love big walks with my dogs at those walks I release all the stress out and I feel better. At summer I love to swim, I love sea and I’m lucky because every summer I spend some weeks at Greece, there are magnificent seas.

How long has your band been around?

T. I’m currently a solo artist and I’ve been performing live since my early years in junior High School.

R. I am a solo artist too but also I’m the main vocalist at Drosostalia band, it’s like 7 years now and I love each day we have with Drosostalia, we had some magic concerts.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

T. I’m originally from the State of Texas in the US. Texas is located in the central southwest. In this area, there’s a large menu for music genres to include R&B, Light Rock, Southern Soul, Rock and Jazz.

R. My parents are from Turkey, I born and grow at Germany, can you imagine now how big was my influence growing? From Turkish traditional, classic or modern music to European pop and rock plus I always listened American music. Every note, every sound, every good song good music is and influence for me.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

T.I would have to look back in the day when I opened for a three-artist concert and after I left the stage, a large number of the females attending the show were lined up when I walked out of the dressing room to meet me. During my greeting with my now fans, two ladies started pulling on my arms and saying he’s mine! Too cool!

R. So many big concerts in Germany with Drosostalia band that it won’t be fair to name only one or few. I had some great moments also at a big charity concert in Athens with lot famous Greek singers.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

T. I don’t particularly have a favorite venue, but I would absolutely love to perform at the Grammys!

R. Theaters I love them they have the best echo!

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

T. Perseverance is the key! Trust in your talent and keep the faith for the All Mighty! Let the music become you and give it every ounce of you, every essence as an artist. Know that with strong faith and desire, you will become whom you desire to be!

R. Trust your instinct, trust your team, trust your soul your heart and your ears!

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

T. Always be yourself, that’s where it all starts! Know who you are and be sure to give back to those who support you!

R. All the dreams will come true! Think positive, worry for nothing!

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

T. As an artist, I strive to be true to my personal being. What I mean is, I write on and about true life experiences which affects people such as myself universally.

R. How a mother can give more love and attention to one of her childs? That can’t happen right? How can I choose only one of my songs?

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

T. Believe in Miracles and Keep It Real are great songs. As for my original songs which are already released by Spider Music, I would say “Hero, Keep It Real and Baby I Love You which create a great amount of requests and interest.

R. Feruze is one of the most loved songs that people wants to listen again and again, “Tou kosmou t aperigrapta” goes extremely well at radios also, there are many songs that people request to listen to my concerts…

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

T. Generally, I write my own songs! Most of the time, my creativity is sparked by an overwhelming thought or concept. Usually, when working on a new project and after researching the concept, I find myself spending many late hours over the night in the studio. Many times, the music takes me places and I find that I have written an entirely different song than the original concept. I work on it until I feel I have exhausted all my energy and when there’s nothing else to add, both musically and lyrically, I find that I have recorded or written exactly what I had been thinking.

R. Here I will speak about the band Drosostalia, we receive decades of music themes all the time, we listen to them very carefully with George Hondralis and when it comes the time to choose a music, George’s words comes up I see him writing and when I read I travel in those lines, then I know it’s the time for me to get in studio. That’s how we work.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

T. I’m a solo artist, so I can only say that when I argue with myself about a project, the answer is usually the best conclusion.

R. I am a solo artist but also the main vocalist of Drosostalia, no we don’t have argues because we look at the same direction, we know exactly what we want and how we want it before even the project will start create.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

T. My current plans is to continue to give my fans the best of me by releasing what I call “Real Music”. As for something new to spotlight, I’ll just say, my best is yet to come.

R. I am preparing my new album, but first of all I need summer vacations, to can create art you need to feel full ready and covid the last two years took a lot from all of us, for now lets enjoy the summer and September back to studio.