Good People of vitruta: Melis Güven
Our beloved Melis Güven is the guest of Good People of vitruta this week. We met her at noon at vitruta in Pera, enjoyed a shoot around the streets of Beyoğlu, tasted some lovely wines at Comedus, and wrapped up a delightful day with dinner at Soho House. Naturally, we talked a lot and covered plenty of topics to share with you. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed the day!
Melis, let’s start with the toughest question, and then we’ll have a nice chat. :) Who is Melis Güven? What do you do, how did it all begin, and how’s it going?
I’m a vocalist and songwriter who’s constantly trying to create, improve, and grow.
We first met at Giritli Restaurant, enjoying a lovely evening at Ayşe Hanım’s table. I know you go there often; what does Giritli mean to you?
Giritli feels like home to me, truly. I love the natural ambiance and the character of both the neighborhood and the place. It’s a spot I often visit and have wonderful, enjoyable conversations. I feel as if I’ve escaped Turkey and gone to a lively place full of good conversations and great food, somewhere like Greece or Italy.
Would you like to say something to Ayşe Hanım?
Ayşe Abla, I love you! :)
If we set Giritli aside for a moment, where else do you spend most of your time in Istanbul? What do you enjoy doing?
I’d say I spend the most time in Pangaltı, where I live. The places I frequent are generally known for their gastronomic appeal, which is also why I can’t seem to leave Pangaltı. :)
You produce so much; a new single seems to come out every month on digital platforms. What inspires you to create these songs?
My life experiences, human stories, dreams—I even keep dream notes; they’re very important to me. And the books I read also inspire me.
Is there a book that stands out to you that you're currently reading?
Right now, I’m reading It Didn’t Start with You by Mark Wolynn. It’s an incredibly impactful book. Sometimes people lose their way, and a book you pick up at the right moment can unexpectedly take your life in a new direction. This book has helped me understand and resolve many things I previously questioned and couldn’t quite figure out.
How did last week’s concert at Touche go? I believe it was the first live performance of “Suya Doğru.”
It was amazing! Touche is a place I’ve wanted to perform at for a long time, and I think it’s one of the most unique performance spaces in Istanbul. It was a wonderful evening, especially since I was performing with my high school friends, which made me feel incredibly comfortable and authentic. I was also on stage wearing jewelry created by another Good People member, İpek Şensılay, adding her beautiful touches to the night. We re-arranged all the songs, and it was the first concert following these changes.
Can you recommend a few movies for us?
Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand of God, and Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World—they’re three films I recently watched and loved.
Do you have a daily routine?
Yes! The first thing I do when I wake up is start the coffee machine, water the plants, put on music, and feed my cats Lulu, Mo, and Sansa. This is my most unchanging routine, I think.
Is there a difference between the way you dress on stage and in daily life, or are the styles pretty similar?
I try to bring the same attention to detail in my everyday style as I do on stage, so I don’t think there’s a huge difference. But of course, my stage persona and my everyday self are not exactly the same. :)
Could you share a few songs you’ve been listening to lately?
I think I’ll put together a little playlist for you instead because it’s more than just a few!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5mhp91jdS6Ai3IXuH0X99U?si=cd846f90ea1b4ab1
Do you have any upcoming projects?
Yes! On March 4, I’ll be releasing a single called Bildiğin Yere in collaboration with Ah Kosmos! I’m extremely excited about this partnership!
We’ll also have a very special music video, featuring some unique and unexpected visual elements developed by the talented Uğur Baltepe with 3D work. I think it’ll draw a lot of attention.
After that, we’ll be bringing Melis Güven’s sound to a more energetic, dynamic place, with lyrics adding even more depth. My team and I are working intensely on it right now, and some ideas are already taking shape all the way up to the live performance. I won’t share details just yet—let the surprises excite us all—but I’ll be coming soon with wonderful news. The days we’ll all dance together are very close!
Can you share your favorite brands at vitruta?
Definitely RAINS! I also love Dr. Martens, though I think it might not be available in Turkey at the moment. I must say I loved the Bil’s pieces I saw today too! And Chimi!