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Where Do I Belong? Here. (Album) by Ayda Akbal
'Where Do I Belong? Here' is an exploration on what it means to grow up first-generation Turkish-Australian. It explores the nuances of growing up as both a woman and only child, yet it was composed with accessibility in mind - to provide a place of connection between people of all cultures and experiences.
Ayda Akbal has been described as 'one of the most exceptional and capable students [he] has ever worked with' by Dr Johannes Luebbers - Composition and Music Technology Course Covenor at Monash University, Melbourne. Her album has also been praised as using a 'strong methodology grounded in research but also prioritising intuitive creativity and improvisation' by her lecturer Dr Iran Sanadzadeh.
She is immensely grateful for her incredible band and special guests who contributed their deep artistry to the storytelling of this album, and The Piano Project, The Gallery Of Good and Soggy Dog Studios for their support.
1. Peri Masalı (Fairytale)
2:36
2. Where Do I Belong? Here.
3:12
3. Balık (Fish)
3:50
4. She Knows You Too Well
5:00
5. Aklımda (In My Mind)
4:46
6. WDIBH - feat. Ebs Daramola
2:33
7. White Room / Scribbles (Draft)
5:52
8. Yaşamak (To Live) - feat. Scott Tinkler
7:49
9. Sausalito
0:55
10. İstanbul
2:12
11. Babaannem (My Father's Mother)
3:46
12. Gülyüz
2:53
Music and Lyrics by Ayda Akbal
Produced by Ayda Akbal
Ayda Akbal on Piano, Vox, and Electronics
Band Personnel: Oscar Bruten on Saxophone, Max Bruten on Guitar, Anton Schulz on Bass, Ebs Daramola on Drums
Special Guests: Scott Tinkler on Trumpet, Meena Shamaly on Oud, Taj Aldeeb on Spoken Word, Budapest Quartet on Strings
Ayda Akbal is a Turkish-Australian composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Naarm/Melbourne. She is passionate about expressing human emotion and culture in her work. She is currently finishing her Undergraduate Degrees in Psychology and Music Composition & Technology at Monash University, Melbourne.
Her career has taken her across the globe, recently travelling to the US after being accepted into New York University’s Film-Scoring Summer Intensive, as well as earning a fully funded place at APRA AMCOS’ Screen Music Songhubs based in South Australia. She is looking forward to beginning her internship at Joy Music House, under the mentorship of Hollywood-based Tasmanian film-composer Catherine Joy, in Los Angeles in late 2024.
Ayda’s extensive work in film, theatre, advertisement, and audiobooks has appeared in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, Sydney, Florida, and Marrakesh.
