Rock Monsters Romania

We already talked about two artists in our SESAME interview series, Nerlov and Mahaya. The SESAME Project does not stop here and keeps surprising us, so let’s learn about more artists in this fresh team.

The SESAME project aims to support the mobility of artists from regions surrounding the Black Sea, France, and the Republic of Moldova, fostering intercultural collaboration through music. Over the course of five creative camps held in Bucharest, ten bands come together for seven days to create, learn, and perform. Each camp concludes with a SESAME Live Session event, where the artists showcase their newly created music to a live audience.

We continue our series in Turkey. Our guest is GOSS and you can see the band live in Bucharest, at Echoes Haus, on the 28th of November. 

Who is GOSS?

GOSS is a duo based in Turkey, performing since 2020 on local stages. Through SESAME, they start their international journey. Their style is complex, dark pop, new wave combined with synth rock and electronic rock. They make their music mostly based on what they feel. 

This autumn, they released their first album, Olası Kazalar. They released songs from it little by little throughout the year 2024 and now we are ready to listen to it and get captivated at Echoes Haus, during the last concert of this tour and their first international concert. 

To help the public get to know you: what is one thing people should know about you before reading this interview?

GOSS is a dark pop duo from Istanbul, driven by storytelling and a relentless passion for creating music. Our songs are deeply personal yet universally relatable, offering listeners a window into our world.

If you could describe your musical style in one word and your local music scene in another, what would they be and why?

Our style? Boundless—we draw inspiration from a range of genres to craft something entirely new, blending raw emotion with intricate soundscapes.

Our local scene? Resilient—independent musicians in Turkey are navigating tough times, but the passion and creativity here are unstoppable.

What’s your favorite milestone in the process of creating a song—from the initial idea to writing, recording, and performing it live? What makes this moment special for you?

Performing it live is where the magic happens. It’s the moment we truly connect with people, sharing the energy and emotions that inspired the song in the first place. Seeing how our music resonates with an audience makes all the hard work worth it.

What impact has the support of friends, family, or fans, as well as your participation in camps, conferences, and workshops, had on your career so far?

The support of our family, friends, and fans has been the backbone of our journey. Without them cheering us on, helping us push through challenges, or simply believing in us, we wouldn’t be here today. Events like this also provide fresh inspiration and remind us we’re part of a bigger creative community.

How did you hear about the SESAME Project, what motivated you to apply, and how do you see it impacting your career and presence in the European music scene ?

We heard about SESAME from a friend, a performance artist based in Berlin. We applied because it’s a unique opportunity to collaborate with incredible talents and connect with a wider audience. We see it as a chance to build bridges and show Europe what GOSS is all about.

What challenges do you expect to face in this program, and is there anything you’re nervous about? What skills, knowledge, or qualities do you hope to gain or bring to the creative camps, and what’s your biggest goal for this project?

We’re nervous about working with a new artist to write and perform two songs in such a short time—it’s definitely an intense challenge! But we thrive under pressure. We’re bringing our passion for storytelling and our openness to new ideas. Our biggest goal is to create music that surprises even us and forms a lasting connection with other artists and audiences.

What do you hope the Bucharest audience will feel during your performance? Is there a memorable concert moment from the past that you’d love to experience again?

We want the Bucharest audience to feel captivated—as if they’re stepping into a world where every song paints a vivid scene. Languages may differ, but we truly believe that music is universal. A concert memory we’d love to relive is the first time we saw someone visibly moved by our music. Knowing you’ve touched someone deeply is an amazing feeling, and we’d love to experience that again.

If you could give one piece of advice to upcoming artists who are reading this interview, what would it be?

Stay true to yourself, but embrace growth and experimentation. Let your music reflect who you are, but don’t be afraid to take risks. Every step in your journey—no matter how challenging—is shaping the artist you’re meant to be. There will always be people who don’t believe in you. Don’t listen to them. Focus on your goals and work hard to achieve them.

Interview by Ana-Maria Corjos and Radu Mihai