kalben - düşünürüm & leyla'nın İzleri (smallsongs + a conversation)

Here is a very special video + conversation featuring Kalben. I picked a place called Cafe Note for us to meet because I really like the laid back and colorful streets around there. I sipped my second Turkish tea and pointed the omnidirectional microphone towards her. I let her do most of the talking. I just wanted to listen, to learn. Her energy was bubbling with youthful excitement and otherworldly wisdom. She was humorous and intelligent. She shared insights on the boxes that we find ourselves in & the magical connections she makes with her audience & feminism & more. It's all right here for you to watch and listen to via Patreon: www.patreon.co...
These conversations give me so much inspiration and creative energy as I make my way back into the world. I think one of the best ways to take a step outside of the rat race is simply to talk with someone. The best kind of conversation is one where both people just want to keep talking. I learned that from Spanish people mostly. We're consistently distracting ourselves from connecting with each other. We're tricking ourselves into thinking we have more important things to go do.
Kalben knew of a courtyard called Fransız Saint Joseph Yetimhanesi just across the street that I was previously unaware of. On the spot she got us permission to film there. We set up and recorded a couple beautiful tunes called "Düşünürüm" & "Leyla'nın İzleri." I remember walking home from this session feeling so lucky that I got the chance to meet and collaborate with her.
A couple days later I listened to the mastered audio files from the shoot and was in awe of the sounds that we had captured, the power in her voice. I was then cashless & in a rush to make it to Kadıköy on the Anatolian side of Istanbul for a shoot with Burcu Yeşilbaş. I hadn't yet taken the ferry or used public transportation in the city so I felt intimidated (I soon learned that it's super easy and that it functions really well). I quickly walked uphill to a nearby ticket station. I couldn't figure it out. I'm standing there as the confused & frustrated American tourist, smashing buttons & grunting. I wasn't going to figure it out. The machine needed cash. Way back down the hill, The ferry was leaving in a few minutes. Then I heard to my right a reassuring voice that said "Cole?" in a relatively empty space. It was the one & only Kalben!
At that point in time I knew only one person in Istanbul, a city with more than 15 million people. There she was standing right next to me and offering help. She gives me her own Istanbulkart and she loads the card with her cash. I had no other options, but I'm still being the overly nice American saying "you really don't have to." She's like, "stop it." Blunt generosity. I love it. The universe has my back. She's somewhat of a Turkish celebrity averaging about 2.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. In this small moment she felt like a guardian angel I owe her. She let me know that she had also just heard the mastered audio files that morning and that she teared up listening to them. She said she felt so relaxed when recording with me, if I remember her words correctly. With gratitude I gave her a hug and let her go wherever she was going.
for more Kalben go to : open.spotify.c...
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shot & edited by cole mitchek
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[@maissa9546]

I stumbled on her song düşünürüm a few days ago by chance and since then i can’t stop listening to it. What a song!! And what an amazing voice ! I felt all the feelings she gives through the song. Although i don’t understand turkish but i felt the pain through her voice and the music. Glad i found this interview in english. She seems like am awesome woman

[@nisturkan]

She is really awesome woman. I love herself and her songs because i feel like i am connecting with my feelings while i am listening which she really gives the feelings very clear. You should look the lyrics by the way. They are great in every way

[@maissa9546]

⁠@@nisturkan i feel the same way about her ! Since i wrote that comment i listened to more of her songs and i’ve also been learning and translating the lyrics ! They are soooo so great 🤩 my new favorite is sadece 🥰🥰🥰

[@nisturkan]

@@maissa9546 yara and doya doya are my fav btw. You should listen them. music is universal i think 💖

[@ecemturkoglu]

I was scrolling through the songs on the account and came across Kalben

[@D_nii-g3t]

Her voice reminds me of autumn 🍂

[@BidarOfficial]

The one and only Kalben❤

[@castorixa7]

such a lovely person

[@bilge9545]

this is just beyond lovely…🩷

[@nisakocaman9330]

I wish there was turkish subtitles for her turkish listeners. Most of us got it but still i wish ;)

[@mikadneiz2445]

farklı dilde konuşurken bile kendini ifade edişi kalbenin

[@nisakocaman9330]

@@mikadneiz2445 kalben farkı

[@utkuozyigit9923]

Always lovely to hear her voice 😻

[@sedanur-yz3kb]

My morning is brightened with you

[@yagzyurttas5840]

I love youuu. You are my life ❤❤ @kalben

[@biriii-xb7vw]

I love you so much Kalben 🫂🍀🩷

[@arzusen8771]

❤

[@sedanur-yz3kb]

YOU ARE MY SUNSHİNES

[@Editslandy]

🩷

[@eezgib]

🩷🩷