Derya Yıldırım is singing the song her grandmother used to sing — an old Anatolian folk standard called “Hop Bico,” which roughly translates to “Hop Around Bico.” But the version Derya’s grandmother sang was different — she’d put her own slant on it. And Derya’s is different still — brought into the 21st century with a slow psychedelic twist and her own hypnotic vocals.

This is by design. Derya insists that if you’re going to play an old folk song, you have to contribute something new — “otherwise you might as well just put the old record on.”

Born in Hamburg, Germany to Turkish parents, she grew up influenced by her family’s Anatolian background and the myriad cultures of the city. Derya’s musical roots began at home, playing folk music with family members. Her father encouraged her to learn multiple instruments, starting with the bağlama, a seven-stringed Turkish lute. She later picked up guitar, piano, and saxophone.

Although she is a multi-instrumentalist, Derya has always felt especially drawn to the sound of the bağlama — “there’s just something very magical about it.”

With her band Grup Şimşek and their forthcoming album Yarın Yoksa (If There’s No Tomorrow), Derya continues her journey revitalizing Anatolian folk music and instrumentation — infusing timeless melodies with a modern psychedelic flair.