INTERVIEW: Atomic Cherry releases debut single

Based in Istanbul, newcomer Atomic Cherry is the musical project of Ece, an independent artist whose creative process extends across every stage of making a record. Writing, singing, recording, producing, mixing and mastering her own material, she’s been building a project through creative autonomy and an original approach to emotional expression. Her music moves between dreamy alternative pop and darker, soul-inflected alternative hip hop, connected not by a single genre but by a distinctive voice and an interest in the contradictions that ripple throughout everyday life.

Driving Atomic Cherry’s sound is an interest with inner conflict, the emotional unknown and the uncomfortable experience of becoming someone new. By not attempting to resolve these feelings, Ece allows them to remain complicated, exploring the distance between how people see themselves and who they hope to become. Her reflective lyrics are often paired with offbeat melodies and warm, hypnotic synths, creating an atmosphere that feels at once inviting and unsettling, while her vocals remain intimate in their emotional delivery, giving the songs a tone that sits alongside their more atmospheric production.

This freedom to move between styles reflects the way Ece views songwriting; her music doesn’t arise from a fixed genre or a predetermined formula and as such, different experiences call for different sounds, with each track finding its own way to express an idea. Dreamy textures can provide the setting for quiet self-examination, while darker rhythms and more soulful arrangements offer a sharper means of confronting uncomfortable themes. What holds everything together is the consistency of her perspective, allowing contrasting musical approaches to exist within the same creative world.

Atomic Cherry now introduces that world with her debut single titled “Somewhere in Between,” a slow-burning alternative pop track that thematically frames the emotional limbo of being caught between an existing identity and the person one wants to become. It’s a premise that distils the uncertainty of personal change, when the old version of yourself no longer feels entirely right but the future remains difficult to define. The transformation is not presented as a straightforward journey, with the song sitting within an unresolved middle ground, where possibility and insecurity coalescene through sound.

Flowing with laid back pace “Somewhere in Between” draws on dream pop, synth pop and trip hop, building its atmosphere around close vocals and warm, hypnotic synth lines. Opened by soft synth tones and drifting texture, the mechanical rattle of mellow percussion and hushed vocals combine to form an immersive soundscape that flows with swung rhythm as alluring melodies drift above. Intricate instrumental flickers add touches of brightness throughout while the shuffle of drums keeps the arrangement gliding forward as Atomic Cherry’s tender vocals float, resulting in an engrossing debut outing that marks the artist’s arrival in stunning fashion.

The single also signals the opening chapter of Atomic Cherry’s forthcoming EP and as a first introduction, it offers a clear sense of her interest in the spaces between certainty and confusion, intimacy and distance and the person someone is today and the one they might eventually become. That reflective atmosphere will not define the entire project however, as the follow-up single, “Social Skills,” is set to take Atomic Cherry in a darker, more pointed direction through soulful alternative hip hop.

We caught up with Atomic Cherry to find out more about her musical journey so far, her debut single “Somewhere in Between” and what she’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Atomic Cherry below.

Hey Atomic Cherry, how’s things?

Hey! I’m good, thanks! I’ve just released my debut single, so I’m currently experiencing that strange mixture of excitement, uncertainty and a sense of stepping into the unknown that comes with putting something deeply personal out into the world. But it’s a good kind of chaos!

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I’ve always been drawn to music as a way of expressing things I couldn’t quite put into words. Singing came naturally to me. I remember singing in my room when I was in primary school, and my mum would occasionally open the door to tell me she had a migraine. That didn’t stop me, of course!

But songwriting became something much more personal. About 4 years ago, I attended an Ableton workshop and discovered that I could actually produce my own music. That was a turning point for me. Suddenly, I had the tools to turn the sounds and ideas in my head into something real. At some point, I realised I didn’t just want to sing other people’s stories. I had quite a few stories of my own to tell.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Fiona Apple is a huge inspiration. I love how unapologetically honest and unconventional she is. Imogen Heap is another artist I deeply admire, especially for her creativity and experimental approach to music production. Sneaker Pimps are another big influence. I’ve always been fascinated by their dark, atmospheric sound and the way they blend trip-hop, electronic textures and haunting melodies.

I also have a soft spot for hip-hop, especially artists like ENNY. I love how effortlessly she blends sharp social observations with deeply personal storytelling.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Mostly from being alive, which is exhausting enough! I’ve always had this strange feeling of being trapped in a world I’m part of but don’t always feel I belong to. It’s a constant struggle to find my place, to make sense of things that seem to come naturally to everyone else. That feeling of disconnection, of being present but never quite at home, became one of the central themes of my debut single, Somewhere in Between.

I’m also fascinated by human behaviour, contradictions, awkward social interactions and all the little absurdities we pretend are normal. (And a little spoiler alert: my second single, Social Skills, coming out on October 30th, explores exactly these themes.)

What do you love about the Istanbul music scene?

Istanbul is a fascinating place to be an artist because it’s full of contradictions. It’s chaotic, culturally layered, sometimes overwhelming, but never boring. There’s such an interesting mixture of musical influences here, and I think that gives artists a lot of freedom to experiment. At the same time, being an independent musician isn’t always easy. The economic realities can make it difficult to dedicate yourself fully to your art, and finding opportunities to perform, reach new audiences and sustain a creative career can be quite challenging. There’s so much talent in this city, but talent doesn’t always come with visibility or opportunity.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Probably alone, late at night, headphones on, when the world has finally gone quiet and you’re left with your own thoughts. I think my music is best experienced when you’re not trying to escape your feelings, but allowing yourself to sit with them for a while.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I’ve become much less interested in fitting into a particular genre. About four years ago, I was actually in a riot grrrl punk band, screaming my lungs out on stage with some pretty aggressive vocals. Eventually, the band broke up, and apparently, I calmed down a little too. At least vocally!

I’ve always had a strong connection to melody and vocals, but learning drums and experimenting with music production opened up a completely different side of music for me. Now I’m more interested in creating a particular atmosphere or emotional response than making something that fits neatly into a category.

My first single leans towards indie and alternative pop, while my second release explores hip-hop influences. I like the idea that people won’t necessarily know what to expect from me next. To be fair, neither do I.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Fiona Apple would be an absolute dream. I admire the way she approaches rhythm, language and emotion. I think I’d be simultaneously inspired and completely terrified to work with her.

How did you find making your debut single “Somewhere in Between”?

It actually started quite spontaneously. I was just messing around in Ableton, experimenting with some dreamy, trip-hop-influenced atmospheric synths. I added a lo-fi beat and started mumbling some gibberish over it, just following the melody without really thinking about the words.

But almost immediately, the concept started to reveal itself. The music had this strange, melancholic atmosphere that somehow reflected a feeling I’d been carrying around for a long time. I finished it in 2 days and uploaded it to my music distributor.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

“Somewhere in Between” is about existing in that uncomfortable space between who you are, who you used to be and who you’re expected to become. It’s also about how staying in that state of uncertainty for too long can slowly wear you down. You begin to lose momentum, fall into repetitive routines, and before you know it, you’re just going through the motions rather than actually living.

I didn’t necessarily want to offer a solution or an uplifting conclusion. Sometimes life is confusing, contradictory and unresolved, and I think there’s something comforting about acknowledging that.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

I’ve recently been revisiting Chumbawamba, which has been a lot of fun. I love their rebellious spirit, humour and the way they combined catchy music with sharp social commentary. I’ve also been listening to quite a lot of hip-hop and neo-soul lately, particularly artists like ENNY and Noname. I really admire their lyrical honesty and clever wordplay.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I’d love for someone to hear one of my songs and think, “Oh, thank God, I’m not the only one who feels this way.” I’m not particularly interested in telling people how to live or what to feel. I’d rather create something that makes people feel understood, even if it’s just for 3 minutes.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

I’d have to say Suede’s concert in Istanbul this summer. Brett Anderson’s stage presence was absolutely mesmerising. The energy he brought to the stage was incredible, so raw, theatrical and full of emotion.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

I’m not entirely sure anyone should be following my footsteps just yet. I’m still figuring out where I’m going! But I’d say don’t wait until you feel completely ready, because that moment might never come. Make things, experiment, embarrass yourself occasionally, and try not to get too obsessed with what everyone else is doing. And perhaps most importantly, don’t let algorithms convince you that your artistic worth can be measured in numbers. And please, never use AI to replace your own creativity. Art is supposed to be human, imperfect, personal and sometimes a little messy. That’s what makes it meaningful.

Finally, what do you have lined up next?

My second single, “Social Skills”, is coming out on October 30th, and it’s quite different from my debut. It has more of an alternative hip-hop influence and explores social expectations, masking and the absurdity of trying to behave like a perfectly functioning human being.

I’m currently working towards my first 5-track EP. I’m still discovering what Atomic Cherry is going to sound like, and I actually find that uncertainty quite exciting. I have no intention of staying in one musical box. That sounds terribly boring.

Listen to Somewhere in Between below