maNga is a Turkish rock band, mixing the style of nu-metal with hip-hop, electronic music and Anatolian tunes. They were one of the most successful bands in 2005, having received numerous awards in their homeland and acquiring a place in the soundtrack of the famous international soccer game “Fifa 2006.” maNga have been chosen to represent Turkey at Eurovision 2010 with the song “We Could Be The Same”.
maNga was formed in the year 2001, being named after the word for Japanese comic books, Manga. Initially, they were mostly underground, playing covers of other rock and metal bands. They came into the public spotlight after finishing runner-up at the Sing your song' music contest. This caught the attention of artist manager Hadi Elazzi (GRGDN), who immediately promoted the band to Sony Music, which resulted in their first, self-titled album being published in 2004, becoming a mass hit. Following this, they performed at various music festivals and have worked with such famous Turkish singers as Koray Candemir (of Kargo fame), Vega and Göksel. Most of their songs are written by the group members.
The genre of their music was described by Yağmur, the author of most of the songs, as having a touch on nu-metal, rap, hip-hop and mixing these all in a "pot" with melodies of Anatolia.
maNga's duet with Göksel is included in one of the most successful (with almost a million viewers) Turkish films, Sınav (featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme).Their song Bir kadın çizeceksin was featured among the music of the FIFA 06 game. The band is considered a headliner for several Turkish music festivals, including Saklıfest, Patlıcan, Rokofest and Rock'n Coke.
maNga's duet with Göksel is included in one of the most successful (with almost a million viewers) Turkish films, Sınav (featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme).Their song Bir kadın çizeceksin was featured among the music of the FIFA 06 game. The band is considered a headliner for several Turkish music festivals, including Saklıfest, Patlıcan, Rokofest and Rock'n Coke.
maNga took to the stage at the Wembley Arena in London, together with Tarkan on 13 April 2008, but was then cancelled because of the technical problems. They then again took to the stage in London at the O2 Academy, Islington on 4 December 2009. On 13 August 2006, maNga became the first Turkish rock band to take stage at the Sziget Festival, Budapest, Hungary. In 2006 they also had concerts in the Netherlands and Germany.
On 12 January 2010 the Turkish broadcaster TRT announced that maNga will be the Turkish representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.
On 12 January 2010 the Turkish broadcaster TRT announced that maNga will be the Turkish representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.
“maNga’s story began when Yağmur Sarıgül “Yamyam” (Guitar) seperated his ways with the cover band he played with at local bars. His plan for his new band was to combine rock music and electronic music bringing hard guitar riffs and rap vocals together. maNga began to form when Özgür Can Öney (Drums), Efe Yılmaz (Turntable),Ferman Akgül (Vocals) and Cem Bahtiyar (Bass Guitar) joined the new band. The band began playing “nu metal” and “hard rock” songs. As a result the band was named maNga after the traditional Japanese cartoon art, bringing five different characters, five different music styles and five different world views together. Under the name of maNga, which is a familiar name to almost anyone in the world, they have started an intenational musical carreer.
maNga’s recording adventure began in 2001 when Ferman suggested to join the song contest “Sing Your Song”. maNga took second place in the “Sing Your Song” contest with their first song “Kal Yanımda”. After this success, they began writing the songs which would later be recorded in their first album. When they recieved a phone call from Haluk Kurosman, producer they met during the song contest, they concentrated more on writing songs and giving concerts. They began touring Turkey, giving more then 50 concerts and sharing their music with different crowds.
Their debut album which carried the same name with the band maNga was released on December 14th, 2004 under Sony Music Turkey and GRGDN label. In this debut album, maNga sang “Kal Yanımda” featuring Koray Candemir from Kargo, “İz Bırakanlar Unutulmaz” featuring Deniz Akyüz from Vega, and “Dursun Zaman” featuring Göksel. Selling more than 180.000 copies, maNga was given the Golden Record award. maNga album was also released in Japan and sold many copies. “Bir Kadın Çizeceksin” was included in the Easports Fifa 2006 soundtrack. In 2006 maNga album was rereleased as “maNga+” including the Cem Karaca song “Raptiye Rap Rap” and “Kandırma Kendini”. maNga+ came with a DVD that featured the music videos of this first album.
After the album’s release, maNga had many concerts and participated in many national and international festivals (Sziget Festival, Mannheim Turkish Rock Festival, Wembley Arena, London) Giving more than 250 concerts nationwide maNga came together with music lovers who appreciate the maNga music.
Traveling through different cultures and meeting many different people, more than 4 years after their debut album, maNga got into a new time period catching a smoother, more characteristic, warmer and more melancholic sound. As the band members grew up in these 4 years, their world views changed and the variety and kind of music they listened changed. This change reflected on maNga’s sound, and their second album “Şehr-i Hüzün” which had a pre-recording period of 23 months. The joy of the first album’s great success came with great responsibility and a mission to top the debut album. The second album “Şehr-i Hüzün”, a product of many comprimises and hard work, was released on April 15th, 2009 under GRGDN & Sony Music label.
“Şehr-i Hüzün” album consists of 16 songs, adding up to more than 60 minutes of music. Instruments such as reed flute, piano, tambour and traditional music instrument called “bağlama” create a beautiful blend of western and orient sounds bringing out minor melodies that portray love, existential lonelines, death and melancholy. It is difficult to categorize the new maNga music that brings together rock, rap, electronic music, sufist music, and traditional turkish music. Famous philosopher poet Karacaoğlan and Ömer Hayyam are quoted in the songs “Üryan Geldim” and “Hepsi Bir Nefes”.
Listeners can also get a CD+DVD version of the album that includes a 150 minute maNga documentary wich was produced by Ferman Akgül. The documentary tells the story of maNga from the days it was first formed until the coming out of the new album.
maNga has conquered the hearts of their fans once again with two following videos from their new album “Dünyanın Sonuna Doğmuşum” and “Beni Benimle Bırak”.
Moreover maNga has won “Best European Act” by MTV Europe Music Awards 2009 On 5 November 2009. After this award maNga have released their third video “Cevapsız Sorular”, which was shot in Budapest by Gürcan Keltek. In 2009, maNga has taken numerous of awards including the best video, the best band, the best song, the best album and the best performance.
Taking the winds of “Best European Act” to their back, maNga is now heading for the 55th Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway to represent Turkey.
maNga’s lead vocalist Ferman Akgül declared about Eurovision:
“We are entering the most exciting and the most intense period of our lives as a band. Our purpose is to represent Turkey without leaving our artistic style.”
Guitarist Yağmur Sarıgül added:
“I strongly believe, we will do our best for Turkey as a team. I thank to national Television channel and all Turkish fans who supported and trusted maNga.”
No comments:
Post a Comment