İZMİR - Koma Agirê Zerdeşt, whose works are performed by many artists, aims to crown its 28-year work with an archive album.

 

Koma Agirê Zerdeşt, which has been dispersed and regrouped since its establishment in 1996 and has been etched in memories with its works performed by many groups and artists, aims to crown its 28-year history with an archive album. 

 

Koma Agirê Zerdeşt, the composer of the songs "Zilan" sung by Koma Agirê Jiyan and "Dara Jînê" sung by artist Farqîn, came together again after performing at Izmir Newroz this year. The band, which has composed many songs as well as well-known compositions, aims to bring together their 28 years of work in an album. The band, which slowed down its disbandment in 2014 by joining Jîn Art, revived the band with its performance at this year's Izmir Newroz. The band members, whose performance was appreciated, decided to continue their journey together.

 

Bülent Kılıç, a member of Koma Agirê Zerdeşt, who started his artistic life in the baglama course of Mezopotamya Cultural Center (MKM) in 1995, and the group's soloist Yaşar Demir told the story of the group and their new term plans.

 

THE GROUP TRAINED ITS OWN MUSICIANS

 

Kılıç stated that he started working in the group by taking drum training as well as baglama due to the need for a change in style in the group, and emphasized that the group always trains its own musicians. Pointing out MKM's role in the band's self-sufficiency, Kılıç said: "If there is no bass player, we train bass guitar players; if there is no baglama player, we train baglama players. It always trained musicians from MKM trainees with its own means and included them in the band. During the process, I also became a part of the group. In 2007, the group entered the recovery phase again. Many of our artist friends also performed the works composed by this group. The group has always tried to survive with its own works. From 2012 to 2014, we worked with our friend Yaşar (Demir) to get the band back on its feet. We went to many concerts and started working on an album. But we couldn't complete it. We have been falling apart and coming together since 1996."

 

'IT WAS A DIFFICULT PROCESS'

 

Stating that they started to take the stage again in the Newroz programs held in the Aegean Region this year, "Our group is working with 5 people. The process was really difficult. We continued to produce music in an authentic style. Since our repertoire has not been exhausted yet, it is a bit repetitive, the songs we performed years later are still belongs to the same repertoire. We receive criticism for this from time to time. However, we continue to perform our music today" Kılıç said.

 

'IT'S PLACE IN KURDISH CULTURE AND ART IS IMPORTANT'

 

Yaşar Demir, one of the soloists of the group, stated that Koma Agirê Zerdeşt focuses especially on arranging and performing folk music and said: "Each piece we sing has a special place for our friends. Agirê Zerdeşt's place in Kurdish culture and art is really important. Our songs are also performed by other groups and it is very valuable for us. Each of our group members are people who can contribute to production in many areas. When there is a problem, our friends can immediately find a solution together. This is what it means to be a group."

 

'WE WANT TO CROWN IT WITH AN ARCHIVE'

 

Stating that they sang enough songs to fill approximately 2 albums, Demir lastly said: "In this process, we are making an effort to get 20-25 of our songs in good form. Every song has a special meaning for us. We strive to contribute to Kurdish culture and art as accurately and beautifully as possible. Frankly, I don't think we should talk too much about making an album. We are working. Even though we work hard, it is very difficult to predict what problems we may encounter tomorrow. But so far, we are following in the footsteps of our friends and we want to crown our songs with an archive at the right time. As a result, we are realizing the products of 28 years of effort."