Sertab Erener, who won the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest for Turkey, will be releasing her new international album, Painted on water, on 9th June. The ambitious project involving many artists from around the world is co-produced by songwriter, arranger, guitarist, and singer Demir Demirkan.

The name of the duo and album, Paint on water, comes from Ebru,the Turkish traditional art of marbling paper with dyes floating on water. Sertab and Demir have attempted a similar fusion of traditional Turkish tunes with western influences such as jazz, modern rock and blues in a effort to present a unique combination of world music. "We chose Ebru as the visual counterpoint because you can do it live on stage," says Demirkan. "When we are playing, there's a projection from the artist as she's painting in his tray. It's spell-binding, magical. After the artist is done, you have a printed paper – like recording music on a tape."

"In our music, we try to make a space for the listener to experience their own emotion, philosophy and feeling. Your inner voice, your deeper thoughts." says Sertab Erener and Demir Demirkan continues: "Once you take those early elements of music and play them now, you're connecting again to a time when the idea of spirituality had aspects of intellect, philosophy, emotions, even mathematics. It defines the whole individual and his connection to the universe. It's connecting everybody on every level. It's not cerebral, or academic. It's carnal, from the gut. It's not in-your-face or a challenge to listen to. It's inviting. Everyone's invited and it's there for you. Painted on water is about that. The whole thing."

Album co-producer, mutli Grammy Award winner, Jay Newland insisted on recording vocals at Sear Sound in New York, because of its stunning array of vintage microphones. "Sertab sang on a 1930s mike that he modified, and you could hear everything she had to offer. I know now that the technical part can change the emotional value of the music." says Demirkan.

Painted on water key to traditional sources:
Nothing but to pray: Music inspired by traditional Turkish folk song Yemen Turkusu
1000 faced man: Music inspired by traditional Turkish folk song Kasik Havasi
Painted on water: Music inspired by traditional Turkish folk song Ah Bir Atas Ver
Mad love: Music of Part "B" inspired by traditional Turkish folk song Madimak
Love we made: Music inspired by traditional Turkish folk song Canakkale Turkusu
Before the night: Music inspired by traditional Turkish folk song Cokertme Zeybegi
Shehnaz on Shiraz: Traditional Turkish Music arranged by Demir Demirkan

You can listen to the songs from Paint on water here.

Official site of the duo here.

Special thanks to Yakup Mutlu for his assistance with the article.

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