BaBa ZuLa is a Turkish band from Istanbul, founded in 1996 by Murat Ertel (electric saz, vocals) and Levent Akman (percussion, electronics). They forge psychedelic Anatolian rock with dub, electronica and traditional Turkish instruments - from the electric saz to wooden spoons - into a sound they call Istanbul psychedelia. MOJO has called them 'the most experimental exponent of the hotly-tipped contemporary Turkish psych-rock scene', and after three decades of touring and recording they stand as one of the most influential names in the global psychedelic revival.
BaBa ZuLa releases their jubilee album XXX on 25 September 2026 via Glitterbeat Records, exactly thirty years after the band's founding.
The band shared the first single 'Kutsal Zeytin Halayı' from the upcoming album XXX, accompanied by a visualiser.
BaBa ZuLa plays a European tour in October 2026 through cities such as Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Munich and Salzburg.
The album İstanbul Sokakları was released on 8 November 2024 via Glitterbeat Records and contains four taksim improvisations alongside four tracks.
The single 'Arsız Saksağan (Cheeky Magpie)' was released as a preview of İstanbul Sokakları, accompanied by a music video featuring protest footage from Turkey.
Turkish psychedelic rock band Baba Zula brings their distinctive sound and energetic live performance to Haarlem.
BaBa ZuLa, the Istanbul-based world music band, delivers an energetic blend of shamanic roots and contemporary Istanbul with electric saz, wooden spoons, dance and theatre.
Turkish band BaBa ZuLa marks 30 years with a theatrical live performance blending rock, folk and dub, featuring improvisation, costumes and belly dancers.