We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ayda Akbal. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ayda below.
Ayda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
Whenever I walk into a space with other creatives, I know I am automatically getting put into specific boxes in their minds. This is true for anyone – working in any space – but for me, I’d like to speak to my experience being a composer walking into these spaces.
Let’s say I’m at a ‘networking’ (friend-making) event. I walk into that space and other people immediately see a petite young woman, with long brown hair and sneakers, entering the room. She can’t really see past the first group of people, because almost everyone is taller than her, and so she doesn’t really know if she knows anyone there. I imagine this running through people’s heads – “Who is she – maybe a vocalist? Maybe she’s just starting out, and is here for some guidance? She doesn’t seem to see anyone she knows here, she must be new.”
Now, of course, I don’t know if this is what is actually running through people’s heads – and I’ve never actually asked someone I’ve just met how they’ve stereotyped me – but I like to think I can get a gauge of what people’s *expectations* are of what I’m going to say, by how they respond to what I *actually* say.
I always feel as if I’m trying to prove myself and break through people’s expectations of what a petite young woman, with long-brown hair and sneakers, can and should do. This may be an internal thing of trying to prove to myself I’m actually meant to be in those spaces, creating space for others like me too, but I think it’s going to be a little while before I fully believe I’m welcome – and wanted – in those spaces.
I’m very fortunate to have strong and supportive people around me, who are more than happy for me to take up space in this industry – and are excited to have me do so. So I think it’s just a game of telling myself I’m meant to be there, constantly fighting imposter syndrome, and seeing others like me take their place in this industry – and eventually, I’ll believe it.
Ayda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a composer and songwriter for screen and stage – which means I write music and lyrics for all these across screen media (advertisements, films, social media etc.) and on stage (musicals, theatre etc.). I was lucky to grow up with a strong music background, and have been pursuing Composition & Music Technology in my tertiary studies – whilst working as a freelance composer and songwriter for the past four years for national, and international projects.
To dive deeper, I’m pursuing a career in film music. Throughout my childhood, my family and I would have movie nights every weekend – watching films from a whole manner of genres. My parents also had an (insanely) huge CD collection, and I was exposed to everything from Coltrane to Bach and Coldplay to Morricone to Tarkan growing up.
I’m most proud about the collaborators I’ve met throughout working and studying in the industry, from all over the world and with various areas of expertise. I am excited to be part of a global community, and fortunate to be entering it at a time when it’s changing to be more inclusive, equitable, and accessible (*fingers crossed*).
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I find it most rewarding when I can make someone feel something through my art – that is always my intention with the work I do. Whether that be helping someone process something that’s happened in their life and providing some form of emotional release, making an audience member’s heart swell with the music, or just bringing some joy and warmth to their life.
I find it even more rewarding when I do this for people that I know and love. I’m currently in the process of finalising and releasing my second album ‘Where Do I Belong? Here.’ which is about my experience growing up first-generation Turkish-Australian. Through a preview performance of the work, I was able to connect with my friends and family, and bring them an emotional release, and comfort – and I found that an immensely rewarding and satisfying experience as a creative.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I found this video by Jake Parker about Artificial Intelligence and Art to be insightful. It provided me with a more grounded approach and view on A.I. and it’s impact on the creative industries – and comforted me with the fact that artists truly are irreplaceable by A.I.
https://youtu.be/N2RnwTHH-gY?si=lYJCoYPhPWNl1UDF
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aydaakbal.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aydaakbal/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aydaakbalmusic
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@aydaakbal?si=83XB51diUE8yI5hQ
Image Credits
Benny Redfern Minnie Kaye Music Ayda Akbal