Ottoman Turks
Dallas, Texas, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Dallas based band Ottoman Turks are Paul Hinojo (drums), Taylor King (electric guitar), Will Latham (electric bass), Lydia Wells (piano, organ, vocals), and Nathan Wells (guitars, vocals). Their self-released debut album, Juarez, features 11 eclectic and energetic tracks of country-rock songs with elements of rockabilly, blues, jazz and garage. These talented multi-instrumentalists know how to riff and build upon one another, as heard in standout tracks “Vaquero”, “You’re Only Pretty When You’re Sad”, and “Steel & Stone.” – Written by JFelton - Record Dept.
While Ottoman Turks may list influences like Tom Waits, Hank Williams, Sr., and Bob Dylan I hear other stuff in their music. On I “Should Have Been Warned” I hear Moe Tucker fronting Jad Fair. And on “You’re Only Pretty When You’re Sad” I hear a touch of deranged Doug Sahm garage rock. The song “Steel And Song” has me stumped but I do hear a pinch of modern gypsy-cabaret by the likes of O’ Death or The Devil Makes Three.
This Dallas based band formed in 2010 and has been gigging around town ever since. They are shopping the new record Juarez now to interested labels. The record was produced by Songs:Illinois favorite Salim Nourallah at his Pleasantry Lane Studios. You can give a listen to Juarez on Bandcamp; it’s an eclectic and fun listen with Nathan and Lydia Wells taking turns on lead vocals amid a diverse array of instruments and textures.
Buy the new record Juarez on Bandcamp now. - songs:illinois
Discography
Juarez LP, released August 2011
LIVE EP, released October 2012
DEMOS EP, released December 2012
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Bio
Ottoman Turks were formed at the beginning of 2010 when several of our members' old band ceased regular performance. Somebody had written a few songs, so we all got together and figured them out somewhat and then we played two shows without knowing what we were doing. We've used that "just go with it" mentality ever since, and it's worked out well for us. We've played at a grocery store grand opening... inside the grocery store. We've played at a Christmas party for real estate agents. We will continue to play wherever we can and love every second of it.
Ottoman Turks' members all come from very different musical backgrounds: our drummer has a love for indie pop, our guitarist has played metal and post-rock, our keyboardist draws from 40's jazz while our bassist loves Victor Wooten-style jazz-funk. This is all tied together by our lead singer's adoration of all things country, and despite the disparate influences, it all comes together in a unified manner that lends a unique sound.
Ottoman Turks have been compared to everyone from Doug Sahm to Devil Makes Three to Delta Spirit, and like to think we have something to offer to fans of just about any genre. For this reason we classify ourselves as alt-country, a term broad enough to encompass everything from our ballads to our honky-tonk songs to our blues-rockers. When it comes to the songs individually, we are drawn to clever, simple lyrics, and even in sad, slow ballads one can find something new to say. Every show is an opportunity to learn and Ottoman Turks are eager to grow as a band all the time.
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