Press Kit

Founded in Istanbul in 2000 by Onur Özgönül and Barbaros Özoktar, the band grew into its energetic, dynamic line-up as Muratay Özkan, Kaan Yayla and Emir Çelt joined over the years.

Pickpocket started out writing songs in English and, inspired by their listeners, gradually turned to Turkish lyrics. The band's first big breakthrough came in 2003 at the Roxy Music Days competition with the song 'Just Wait for Me'. Walking away with first prize, the band went on to become one of the mainstays of Turkey's alternative music scene.

Their debut album "Hayalle Gerçek Arasında" (Between Dream and Reality), produced by Ümit Kuzer and Martin Cru Spencer in 2008, opened a new chapter in the band's career. Its lead single 'Vazgeç', with a video directed by Anıl Tütüncüoğlu, has passed 750,000 views on YouTube and 1.5 million streams on Spotify. Videos for 'Hayalle Gerçek Arasında' and 'Ne Farkeder' followed.

Their second album "Uyan" (Wake Up), released in 2013, showcased the band's matured musical vision. Released on Musicworks, the album was recorded at Deneyevi Studios with producer Mehmet Yaranona and mastered by Troy Glessner, known for his work with Norma Jean, August Burns Red, Underoath and MxPx. The 'Uyan' video was directed by Barış Alp.

After a long break, the band returned to the stage with a sold-out show at IF Beşiktaş on 8 April 2025, played Headbangers' Weekend later that year, and met their fans in Izmir and Ankara in early 2026.