THE LAKE at ROSKILDE with Cüneyt Sepetçi & Orchestra Dolapdere

In Istanbul, close to the city center, lies a district not often visited by tourists. It’s called Dolapdere, and it is populated by the Romani of the city, many of whom are originally from Thrace. They supply the music for the city’s weddings, circumcisions, parades and parties. Dolapdere is the home of clarinet virtouso Cüneyt Sepetçi and the Orchestra Dolapdere, some of the great musicians of Istanbul. They specialize in a modern take on classic Turkish Rom (gypsy) music, as well as folk songs from Albania, Macedonia, Spain, and elsewhere, that they have adapted to their own inimitable style. It is rare that CÜNEYT SEPETÇI finds the time to travel abroad for performances, as there is a constant high demand for him play parties in his home country. Roskilde Festival was lucky to have him visiting for the 2014 edition and The Lake was lucky to be there to record the concert and to interview Cüneyt Sepetçi as well.