Conceptual portrait in music: Sergüzeşt

Today, we sat down with Sergüzeşt, a newly emerging music group that has begun to draw attention with their distinctive style and artistic vision. Our conversation took place with the members Efe Eyüboğlu, Yusuf Yavuz Karacan, and Can Altunbaş. Though they are still at the beginning of their journey, they are working with great enthusiasm to craft their own musical universe. In this interview, we explored their musical path, creative processes, and future plans.

Karaca Erden: To begin, we’d like to get to know you a little better. Who are the members of the group, how old are you, and what roles do you each take on?

Can Altunbaş: We all met at university. Our shared musical taste and interest in music brought us together. I’m responsible for the narrative aspect of the group, and I’m the bass guitarist. I’m 21 years old.

Efe Eyüboğlu: I’m the lyricist, the composer of some of our songs, and also the vocalist. I play the acoustic and classical guitars. I also take part in writing the group’s story. In short, I describe myself as the group’s writer. I’m from Trabzon and I’m 22.

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: I’m the group’s keyboardist, and I work on the musical side of our production. I study mechanical engineering at Dokuz Eylül University. I’m more active in the musical composition process, and I have a say in the arrangements. I’m 22.

Karaca Erden: What do you do outside of music? Are you studying or pursuing other professions?

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: Outside music, I focus on school. I study mechanical engineering, and I’m very interested in automobiles.

Efe Eyüboğlu: Outside of music, I write. I’m studying public administration at Dokuz Eylül University.

Can Altunbaş: I’m 21 and a tourism student. Other than music, I don’t have many hobbies; music is at the center of my life.

Karaca Erden: Your group’s name is quite intriguing. Is there a particular story behind choosing the name “Sergüzeşt”?

Efe Eyüboğlu: What mattered most in choosing the name wasn’t the word itself, but what we wanted it to represent. The characters and stories in our album depict the transformation of a character with dissociative identity disorder. We felt that “Sergüzeşt”—which means an emotionally loaded journey—best captured that essence.

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: We searched for a name for a long time. I came across the word in a film and a play, and that’s where I learned its meaning. I said, “This is exactly what we’re doing,” and the group agreed.

Karaca Erden: How would you describe Sergüzeşt’s musical style? We often see a black-and-white aesthetic in your music videos. Is there a reason for this?

Efe Eyüboğlu: We use the black-and-white theme especially for our melancholic and nostalgia-centered videos. These two colors best reflect the detachment of memories and emotions.

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: Our album transitions from one personality to another, and each personality has features that align with the music. Through vocals, background melodies, and harmonies, we try to reinforce the story.

Efe Eyüboğlu: We don’t feel tied to any particular genre. Like a film director, we choose different musical styles depending on the story. Our genre is essentially “turning a narrative into sound.”

Karaca Erden: How was the group formed?

Efe Eyüboğlu: I had been involved in music for 6–7 years. At university, I met Can and Yavuz by coincidence. Our chemistry matched perfectly, and that led to both a friendship and the formation of the band. We even began living in the same house.

Karaca Erden: Are the outfits and styles in your music videos exclusive to filming, or do you also dress like this in daily life?

Efe Eyüboğlu: They’re only for the videos. We don’t wear those costumes in everyday life. They’re chosen to match the characters on stage and the 90s-inspired album concept.

Can Altunbaş: In the videos, everything is designed according to the story, not our daily lives.

Karaca Erden: What are your plans for your audience moving forward?

Efe Eyüboğlu: After our recent work, we’re planning to release a single. Then, we will release an 11-track album. This album will follow a concept, and we’ll publish its story directly as a written narrative on our website; later, we plan to turn it into a booklet.

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: We’re designing a website where the album and the “Sergüzeşt” universe will be heavily featured. Our future albums will also be concept-driven, without restricting ourselves to any genre.

Karaca Erden: How did your released tracks come to life?

Efe Eyüboğlu: During the creative process, I compose songs based on the emotions of the story I am writing.

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: Efe shows us the lyrics he writes, and Can and I give feedback. If we like it, we make adjustments. Sometimes I bring a melody, and he writes lyrics to match it.
Karaca Erden: Who supported you the most when you first began making music?

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: Our biggest supporters were our families. But the most important factor was our loyalty and friendship. For us, quality matters more than longevity.

Efe Eyüboğlu: Our dedication and loyalty kept us together.

Karaca Erden: Have you faced negative criticism on your musical journey?

Efe Eyüboğlu: We’re still very new, so we haven’t experienced any major backlash; there have been occasional comments, but nothing that affected us deeply.

Karaca Erden: What does music mean to Sergüzeşt?

Efe Eyüboğlu: Among all branches of art, music is the most connective. It reflects emotions and feelings better than any other form.

Karaca Erden: When did you realize your interest in music and think, “I can really do this”?

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: I’ve been interested in music since I was young. I started playing instruments in high school. After meeting Efe and Can, the journey continued.

Can Altunbaş: I explored different instruments; I started playing bass guitar, and the band helped me develop that interest.

Efe Eyüboğlu: When I wrote the song “Bir Hayalperestin Portresi,” which later became the name of our album, I said, “I can really do this.” The positive reactions from family and friends also encouraged me.

Karaca Erden: Which artists influence your music the most?

Efe Eyüboğlu: Anathema, Nick Cave, and among Turkish artists, Fikret Kızılok.

Can Altunbaş: Radiohead and Cem Karaca.

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: Zeki Müren, and internationally, Metallica. I listen to many different genres and don’t commit myself to any.

Karaca Erden: What emotions do you want listeners to find in your music?

Can Altunbaş: “We don’t expect anything specific from our listeners.” We leave the songs to their interpretation. Whatever they feel is what the song conveys.

Efe Eyüboğlu: Our aim is simply emotion—listeners may find joy in sadness or sadness in joy. In short, we narrate humanity.

Karaca Erden: Where do you see Sergüzeşt in five years?

Efe Eyüboğlu: Our goal is to complete our albums and be able to say, “We did something beautiful,” at the end of each day.

Karaca Erden: What would you say to young people who want to start making music?

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: We’re young ourselves, so we’re not in a position to give big advice. But if you decide to pursue something, keeping your belief alive is crucial.

Karaca Erden: Is there anything you’d like to add?

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: Anyone who wants to improve in a specific art form should also be familiar with other forms of art.

Efe Eyüboğlu: I agree with Yavuz; if you want to grow in any field, researching and learning its related branches is invaluable.

Karaca Erden: If you weren’t making music right now, what would you be doing?

Yusuf Yavuz Karacan: I’d probably be involved with automobiles—racing or design.

Efe Eyüboğlu: I can’t imagine a life without music; I’d probably be writing.
To our valued readers: Though Sergüzeşt is still at the beginning of their journey, they are preparing to stand out with their unique storytelling and musical perspective. 

Through this interview, we’ve had the chance to understand their vision and musical path more closely. You can follow and support them, listen to their music, and witness the growth of this young and promising group.