Evren
Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
GREAT record. That simple, `nuf said. Okay, I have to say more as that`s what our job is and, the truth is, you need more than just that. Evren reminds us of so many recent faves.....Spoon, really melodic Pixies, Ted Leo and The Pharmiscists, The Figgs, Boss Martians` most recent album, Brett Rosenberg and all sorts of skinny tie power pop. Its a tour-de-force of song-after-song of "shimmering pop-rock, which is rife with literate versus and abundant hooks....features Farfisa organ(which gives an additional 60`s flavor in a very unassuming manner) on almost every track, along with occasional high vocal harmonies, jangly guitars and aggressive rhythms.....inherently catchy and melodically proficient"-Performing Songwriter. One of the most consistently exciting albums to cross this desk in months....Extremely Highly Recommended, big `ole time! - Notlame.com
Evren Goknar works as a mastering engineer at Capitol Records by day, but when he’s off the clock, the L.A.-based singer-songwriter devotes his technical skills to his own shimmering pop-rock, which is rife with literate verses and abundant hooks. His third disc features Farfisa organ on almost every track, along with occasional high vocal harmonies (“You Owe Us”) jangly guitars (“They School Her”) and aggressive rhythms (“Without a Clue”). Evren’s vocals, meanwhile, range from sensitive operatics similar to Jeff Buckley to the forceful rants of Kurt Cobain, only without the gravel. If smart power pop were to receive as much radio attention as amateur talent show winners and teenage Barbie dolls, Evren’s third disc would be ready for radio. Until that happens (i.e., when Hell freezes over), we’ll consider this disc inherently catchy, consistently enjoyable and melodically proficient. —HJ
- Performing Songwriter
Singer/songwriter Evren adds to his indie pop credibility with his third release, Boxes, a 15-track collection of acerbic observations about people desperately fighting to keep their place in life - or looking to get even. Evren, an accomplished guitarist, works with a talented back-up band as he divides his time evenly between energetic pop and more introspective fare.
Saar Hendelman's festive Farfisa organ combines with Evren's power chords on the catchy "You Owe Us", and is even more aggressive on the garge rock of "They School Her". "Breathe" is a high-energy call to live life to its fullest, while the classic power pop of "To The Grave" concerns a guy who gets more than he bargained for in a relationship. Slower tunes like "Punches", "Dissolving", and "Hollywood Park" may be less fun, but Evren's wit shines through them just the same. - Amplifier Magazine
Discography
Boxes (2004 Spill Records)
Flux (2001 Spill Records)
Burning The Tulips (1998 Spill Records)
Hungry? (1997 Spill Records)
Radio Airplay:
You Owe Us (Indie 103.1)
Boxes, Flux, Burning The Tulips (various college radio nationally)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Evren writes literate pop-rock songs. Influences include Elvis Costello, The Pixes, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, and Radiohead. He has released three CDs for Spill Records, and is currently recording his fourth CD.
Evren impressed the music community with his third CD for Spill Records, BOXES (2004). It is described as a tour-de-force of song after song of shimmering pop-rock (notlame.com), rife with literate verses and abundant hooks (Performing Songwriter). Music writer Terry Flamm of Amplifier magazine hailed BOXES as one of his top ten albums of the year (2003). Track #7 Hollywood Park was selected to be on NPRs All Songs Considered-Open Mic online showcase (2004). Track #13 Breathe was selected from thousands of submissions for Discmakers Spring 03 Heavy Hitters Compilation CD. The DIY Music Festival (Los Angeles) dignified Boxes with an honorable mention in the album of the year category (2004).
Evrens 2nd Spill Records' release, FLUX (2001), was embraced by press and college radio. Live Magazine heralded: Flux is filled with hooks that will hang until Sunday and crystalline-pure production. MeanStreet Magazine proclaimed: Its indie rock at its finest with twelve competently done radio-ready songs just perverse enough to soothe. It was in rotation at many West Coast college radio stations, reaching a spot in the top 30 spins at KPSU in Portland, Oregon.
His debut release on spill records, BURNING THE TULIPS (1998) garnered enthusiastic support from press. The Eugene Weekly summed it up as intelligent, alternative music that kicks ass.
Evren has performed at numerous conferences including: The SXSW Music Conference, The Philadelphia Music Conference, EATM, and The TAXI Road Rally. He was selected to be one of fifteen songwriters in ASCAPs Lester Sill Songwriters Workshop in Los Angeles (1999). Evren tours the western U.S. regularly, recently completing his 8th tour (Fall 2004). Evren intends to attract more fans with the release of his upcoming fourth CD.
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