Young
Pals Music’s 5th Year Anniversary
Pals Music’s 5th Year Anniversary
NEW YORK – Independent record label Young Pals Music
founded by Ayhan Sahin celebrated its five years in the business at a special
event joined by artists, musicians, managers the company worked with through
the years. Turkish Life News (TLN) crew was also there to witness the
celebration.
founded by Ayhan Sahin celebrated its five years in the business at a special
event joined by artists, musicians, managers the company worked with through
the years. Turkish Life News (TLN) crew was also there to witness the
celebration.
From Civil Engineering to Music Producing
Ayhan Sahin who graduated as a civil engineer from Middle
East Technical University founded the theatre group Young Pals during the years
he used to work as an engineer. He staged the musicals he wrote back then—his
first one “Gods” regarded as Turkey’s first rock opera, and his second show
“Swedish Style” which was presented to Swedish music group ABBA with the
support of the Swedish Embassy in
Turkey. After that occasion, Sahin’s career evolved into the international
platform. In 1999, his music was arranged and performed by the members of the
Presidential Symphonic Orchestra in Istanbul. Following that year, Sahin landed
in New York to start his music education at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
After completing his master’s degree at NYU, he founded his recording studio
and started his professional musical career. For a couple of years, he worked
as a freelancer. He, then, joined Breaking Records as the A&R VP and the
house-in-producer to work with famous artists like Sezen Aksu and Sandra
Bernhard. In 2007, he founded his own label Young Pals Music. Within the five
year period, he worked with more than 30 different artists/musicians to prepare
15 albums which were released by 10 artists in English, Spanish, French and
Turkish languages.
East Technical University founded the theatre group Young Pals during the years
he used to work as an engineer. He staged the musicals he wrote back then—his
first one “Gods” regarded as Turkey’s first rock opera, and his second show
“Swedish Style” which was presented to Swedish music group ABBA with the
support of the Swedish Embassy in
Turkey. After that occasion, Sahin’s career evolved into the international
platform. In 1999, his music was arranged and performed by the members of the
Presidential Symphonic Orchestra in Istanbul. Following that year, Sahin landed
in New York to start his music education at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
After completing his master’s degree at NYU, he founded his recording studio
and started his professional musical career. For a couple of years, he worked
as a freelancer. He, then, joined Breaking Records as the A&R VP and the
house-in-producer to work with famous artists like Sezen Aksu and Sandra
Bernhard. In 2007, he founded his own label Young Pals Music. Within the five
year period, he worked with more than 30 different artists/musicians to prepare
15 albums which were released by 10 artists in English, Spanish, French and
Turkish languages.
Sahin’s manager, Janet Castiel who also attended the 5th
Year Young Pals Music event also manages Turkish superstars Fahir Atakoglu,
Sezen Aksu, Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan in the U.S. territory. She quoted
that she and Sahin have been working on various different projects since 2009
and said that she has great respect and appreciation for his work: “He is a
great talent with integrity, intelligence and experience in the market.”
Year Young Pals Music event also manages Turkish superstars Fahir Atakoglu,
Sezen Aksu, Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan in the U.S. territory. She quoted
that she and Sahin have been working on various different projects since 2009
and said that she has great respect and appreciation for his work: “He is a
great talent with integrity, intelligence and experience in the market.”
“I Feel Very Indulged”
Sahin, who was interviewed during the 5th year
party told Turkish Life News journalist that New York has been a dominant
inspiration for his work. “There is tremendous amount of talent in this city.
Being able to work with a sea of cultural richness, I feel very indulged when
it comes to picking up talent. New York is the center for talent. Most of the
creative people were not born here but somewhere else, in a different part of
the world. Once they realize they can’t achieve further within their
boundaries, they decide to move to New York. And that is pretty much my own
story.”
party told Turkish Life News journalist that New York has been a dominant
inspiration for his work. “There is tremendous amount of talent in this city.
Being able to work with a sea of cultural richness, I feel very indulged when
it comes to picking up talent. New York is the center for talent. Most of the
creative people were not born here but somewhere else, in a different part of
the world. Once they realize they can’t achieve further within their
boundaries, they decide to move to New York. And that is pretty much my own
story.”
When TLN asked what the difference is
between Young Pals and any other record label, he replied: “Young Pals still
function with an amateurish enthusiastic soul which works like a school for
many artists. And in many cases, as a bridge to career evolution.. For
instance, think about Karine Hannah with whom we did three albums, she is now
signed to Universal Records for her big major debut.”
between Young Pals and any other record label, he replied: “Young Pals still
function with an amateurish enthusiastic soul which works like a school for
many artists. And in many cases, as a bridge to career evolution.. For
instance, think about Karine Hannah with whom we did three albums, she is now
signed to Universal Records for her big major debut.”
“My idols Arif Mardin and Ahmet Ertegun”
Sahin who enjoys exploring diversities
within the artists he works with, says: “If I see star sparkles within a
musician/vocalist, I approach and invite him/her to work for a full length solo
project with me and we go into the studio with more specific focused material
that is tailored for the image that we create for them under Young Pals.
within the artists he works with, says: “If I see star sparkles within a
musician/vocalist, I approach and invite him/her to work for a full length solo
project with me and we go into the studio with more specific focused material
that is tailored for the image that we create for them under Young Pals.
When we asked what his long term goals
are within the next 5 years, Sahin said: “I am hoping that many of the artists
I work with will be critically acclaimed. For me, personally, I regard myself
as a follower to the two great Turks who conquered the New York music scene as
well as the global industry; Arif Mardin and Ahmet Ertegun.
are within the next 5 years, Sahin said: “I am hoping that many of the artists
I work with will be critically acclaimed. For me, personally, I regard myself
as a follower to the two great Turks who conquered the New York music scene as
well as the global industry; Arif Mardin and Ahmet Ertegun.
“My Eyes Are Teared Up”
Lastly, we asked him “Do you regard yourself successful?”
He said: “12 years ago, I came to New York with only a luggage, leaving behind
my profession, work, family and friends, with dreams of creating music for the
rest of my life. Now looking at this room, I feel successful when I see more
than 40 musicians/allies filling this space to celebrate our 5 years. Makes my
eyes teared up..”
He said: “12 years ago, I came to New York with only a luggage, leaving behind
my profession, work, family and friends, with dreams of creating music for the
rest of my life. Now looking at this room, I feel successful when I see more
than 40 musicians/allies filling this space to celebrate our 5 years. Makes my
eyes teared up..”
