İZMİR- A music group called “Friends from Neighborhood” performs on the streets of İzmir’s Konak district. Merve Satı playing tambourine for the group wants more women to perform on the streets.

 

A music group called “Friends from Neighborhood” consists of eight persons. Some members of the group are still students while the other graduated from university or have a work. The group also has an album including five songs.

 

‘The number of women playing instruments on the streets is less’

 

Merve Satı playing tambourine for the group pointed out that more women should perform on the streets. A student of Ege University Merve said they received positive reactions from the people while playing on the streets. Stating that the number of women performing and playing instruments on the streets is less, Merve wants more women to perform on the streets.

 

‘The people stand by us against municipal police’

 

Talking about the difficulties they face, Merve said, “The street musicians are always welcomed but the municipal police cause problem for us but the people stand by us. Because the street music is a point where the people can be far away from routine life and listen to themselves. The street music should be on every street of the city. The people also think so.”

 

‘Street musicians are not taken seriously’

 

Stating that the street musicians are not taken seriously even though they receive positive reactions from the people, Merve said “The families don’t want their children to perform street music. It is especially difficult for women.”