SOUND OF SU
Sound of SU, that's the sound of Sophia and Umut. “SU” means “water” in Turkish, and its lively, elemental energy has been flowing noticeably through their live performances since the summer of 2018. From the beginning, they produced their own songs, but their true strength on stage lies in their cross-generational and cross-cultural musical range.
The centerpiece of their live shows? Captivating cover versions, with a special focus on the danceable hits of the 80s, 90s, and 00s. But Sound of SU doesn’t just connect generations—it also connects cultures: thanks to their enormous repertoire (-> LIVE), which easily reaches back to the 60s and 70s and is enriched by authentic Turkish classics, they immediately engage any audience. This stylistic individuality makes their performances an unforgettable experience for young and old alike.
Festival bookings in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for 2027 are already in full swing.
SOPHIA
Sophia Crüsemann grew up trilingual in Berlin, Istanbul, and Essen and started classical training on the viola at the age of 9. She first performed on the big stage with this instrument at 14; she played live with Blixa Bargeld and Teho Teardo. At 16, she also wrote and arranged pieces for a 25-member orchestra she founded and organized the concerts. One of the four orchestral pieces from her widely noticed cycle “Dramapanorama” became the basis in 2019 for the film score she arranged and recorded for the award-winning documentary “The Mission of the Lifeline” (-> IMDB).
With her band “Sound of SU,” which she co-founded with Umut Yildiz in the meantime, she performed live at the premiere and numerous screenings of the film. Afterward, she focused on studying jazz vocals at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts. Sophia is the distinctive voice of Sound of SU and has written many of the lyrics for their own songs.
UMUT
Umut Yildiz looks back on a more than 20-year career as a professional musician. It started while he was studying music technology at the Conservatory of Istanbul Technical University. Umut not only met many musicians on campus but also got involved in the intense nightlife of Istanbul, playing with many well-known bands and solo artists. Famous musicians like Kenan Dogulu and Baris Arkasu noticed his virtuoso guitar playing. His discography includes well-known names for whom he has worked as a composer and arranger. In the band Gece Yolculari, he was the lead guitarist from 2008 to 2018, and during this eventful period, he got to know all the major stages and almost every place in Turkey. For the band Neyse, he worked as a guitarist in 2018.
Among the many cover bands he has performed with, Erdem Akakçe and his band are particularly worth mentioning, as well as his friend Nuri Harun. Since moving to Germany, he has been performing guitar guest appearances with old friends from Turkey. He is often booked as a guitarist for performances by Turkish artists in Germany; for example, at several concerts by Buray during his Europe tour in 2024. Umut produces the unmistakable Sound of SU in his own studio.