The Away Days

The four members of The Away Days, Oguzcan Ozen, Sezer Kic, Berk Tekelioglu and Burak Serter, met in college like most bands. Nothing unusual in that. However, hailing from Istanbul, a city without any real rock or indie scene to speak of, may have made things slightly harder for the indie upstarts.

Despite this, in little over 12 months The Away Days found themselves performing live on Friday night TV to millions on Turkey’s most popular late night show, Okan Bayulgen’s Disco Krali. The band have since performed alongside Pulp and Kaiser Chiefs at the One Love Festival, Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro at an Adidas All Originals Party, Factory Floor at the Babylon Newcomers Festival, and received support and encouragement from the likes of producer Jag Jago, Gary Powell of The Libertines, Ron Lewis of Sub Pop, and been featured by Bella Union’s Simon Raymonde on Amazing Radio. - Never Enough Notes

The four members of The Away Days, Oguzcan Ozen, Sezer Kic, Berk Tekelioglu and Burak Serter, met in college like most bands. Nothing unusual in that. However, hailing from Istanbul, a city without any real rock or indie scene to speak of, may have made things slightly harder for the indie upstarts.

Despite this, in little over 12 months The Away Days found themselves performing live on Friday night TV to millions on Turkey’s most popular late night show, Okan Bayulgen’s Disco Krali. The band have since performed alongside Pulp and Kaiser Chiefs at the One Love Festival, Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro at an Adidas All Originals Party, Factory Floor at the Babylon Newcomers Festival, and received support and encouragement from the likes of producer Jag Jago, Gary Powell of The Libertines, Ron Lewis of Sub Pop, and been featured by Bella Union’s Simon Raymonde on Amazing Radio. - Never Enough Notes

“It’s a deep song that makes us feel really lost. As the song comes to the end, it feels like we found our way. We made this in the basement, no sun, no light.”
That’s what the band says about “Galaxies” the new single off their upcoming EP “How Did It All Start?” Good question. The band formed in Istanbul about a year ago and struggled to get a foothold in Turkey’s throbbing indie rock underground which is of course a bold faced lie. While the band’s origin is completely legit Istanbul doesn’t exactly have a Williamsburg Brooklyn, which in the end was probably good thing for a band like The Away Days. If they came from Brooklyn you would be able to understand every lyric and that would be terrible. These guys are right where they should be, or were. Does that make sense? Anyways.
The band is like the bastard child of Deerhunter and The XX. The title “Galaxies” may be a little spot on considering the sound is very “mega reverb sprawl with a broken compass.” I doubt anyone would be privy to agree with me if I had the gall to wonder out loud why they didn’t name the song “Basements” “Crawl Spaces” or “Cramped Quarters” but I’m used to that. Whaddya gonna do?
As I listen to the live version of this for the 6th time I’m leaning back, eyes closed, jaw slacked, feeling it’s drum and bass groove locked tight underneath free ringing guitars and what sounds like “I want you, I want you bad” sung with a raised voice and I’m convinced this is a good tune. Check ‘em out because I know I’m right. - Cover my ears

Yes, I said "Turkish Shoegaze Discovery". This is The Away Days, who have a new EP How Did It All Start out now. The group consists of four members: Oguzcan Ozen, Sezer Kic, Berk Tekelioglu and Burak Serter, who met in college, and in less than a year after forming, have found themselves in a bit of an international whirlwind, including a couple of dates at SXSW.

Here's a video they made for "Galaxies" - a haunting, reverb-laced song with some terrific guitar sounds - one that sort of reverses back on itself throughout, and some nice solos:

This is really good - it doesn't sound exactly like The Jesus and Mary Chain or New Order, but those are pretty clearly influences. However, The Away Days are taking this in their own direction and we're looking forward to following them as they move ahead. - When you motor away

The Away Days - Galaxies has been featured in BIRP. - BIRP!

Over in Instanbul four young hipsters (I love that word, even though it makes me sound like Tony Blackburn) Oguzcan Ozen, Sezer Kic, Berk Tekelioglu and Burak Serter, met in college like most bands. They formed The Away Days, and despite there being, to say the least, not much of a recognizable Indie scene in Turkey, off they set. Looking towards the British and US indie scenes for inspiration, even the name describes their feeling of not being at home (their words not mine)

Despite the difficulties, in little over 12 months The Away Days found themselves performing live on Friday night TV to millions on Okan Bayulgen’s Disco Krali, Turkey’s most popular late night show, should you not know. If that were not enough, they’ve performed alongside indie royalty such as Pulp and the Kaiser Chiefs at the One Love Festival, Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro at an Adidas All Originals Party, Factory Floor at the Babylon Newcomers Festival. They’ve some influential friends too, being championed by many, including Ron Lewis of Sub Pop, and they been featured by Bella Union’s Simon Raymonde on Amazing Radio.

The Away Days are making the trip to SXSW festival in Texas this March, have a debut album in the works and a first EP ‘How Did It All start’ already available. The track Dressing Room is from the EP, and is available for free download here. Its a fantastic slice of infectious Indie-Pop, with sparkling insistent guitars and interweaving keyboard patterns, playing against the plaintive vocal line throughout. - Back Seat Mafia

The Away Days are a 4-piece band hailing from Istanbul. Not too many bands make their way from there, so it’s good to see The Away Days doing well. Last year they released their debut EP How Did It All Start, and they have an album on the way. The band will play SXSW, and are trying to get attention by giving away the song “Dressing Room” away for free.

Featuring addicting guitar licks that are feel good and catchy, it’s easy to get lost in the song. Grab a free download below. - Weallwantsome

From The Away Days debut EP, How Did It All Start, the track "Dressing Room” features crystal-clear guitars that pop out, lead the transitions between each section and really drive the song overall. The Away Days’ music is deep, relaxing and ethereal. This is a band that puts your body and mind at ease while keeping you engaged and thoroughly entertained throughout each song.

Listen to The Away Days and more SXSW Showcasing Artists on SXSWfm. Stay tuned and check the SXSWfm blog for daily updates!

SXSW Music 2013 Showcase: The Away Days
Wednesday, March 13
9:00pm-9:40pm at Avenue on Congress Rooftop
Free Show - SXSW.com

Istanbul dream-rock four-piece The Away Days are band to keep on the lookout for at this year’s SXSW. Comprised of Oguzcan Ozen (guitars/vocals/keyboards/synth), Berk Tekelioglu (drums), Sezer Koc (guitars), Burak Serter (bass guitar), the band made some noise with their debut EP How Did It All Start in late 2012. Recently, they have started recording their debut record with Jag Jago, producer of The Maccabees’ latest record.

While currently a single, one of the songs they plan to have on the release is the highly melodic “Galaxies”. According to lead-singer Ozen, “It’s a deep song that makes us feel really lost. As the song comes to the end, it feels like we found our way. We made this in the basement, no sun, no light. After some sparkles started to show themselves, it seemed like the Galaxies around us.” The song was played on KEXP morning show in January and now we have the stream. Find it below. - My Old Kentucky Blog

This is the third of four posts within a bird theme. We admit this is the furthest stretch, because the connection with the theme is based on the country of origin.
If you ask someone in the U.S. to name her favorite band from Turkey, you are likely to only get a blank stare. That would have been our reaction until this year. Our new-found response is The Away Days. They are a four-member group from Istanbul. The conventionality of the band name is a contrast to the unconventional (at least to us) names of the members - Oguzcan Ozen, Sezer Kic, Berk Tekelioglu and Burak Serter. According to the members, the explanation is that The Away Days connotes "a feeling of not feeling at home, not belonging there."
Well, The Away Days will indeed be away in 2013. Next month, they will be in Texas for SXSW. Here's hoping that they hit the San Francisco area as well, because the high energy dream-pop style would be a joy to see live. - Indie Obsessive

I’m a sucker for those early 2000s guitars… and this is the influence of Kings of Leon on those guitars. Very alternative rock. - Eqlzr.net

The four members of The Away Days, Oguzcan Ozen, Sezer Koc, Berk Tekelioglu and Burak Serter, met in college like most bands. Nothing unusual in that. However, hailing from Istanbul, a city without any real rock or indie scene to speak of, may have made things slightly harder for the indie upstarts.

Despite this, in little over 12 months The Away Days found themselves performing live on Friday night TV to millions on Turkey's most popular late night show, Okan Bayulgen's Disco Krali. The band have since performed alongside Pulp and Kaiser Chiefs at the One Love Festival, Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro at an Adidas All Originals Party, Factory Floor at the Babylon Newcomers Festival, and received support and encouragement from the likes of producer Jag Jago, Gary Powell of The Libertines, Ron Lewis of Sub Pop, and been featured by Bella Union's Simon Raymonde on Amazing Radio.

And that's just where it begins. The Away Days first US trip beckons with an invite to SXSW festival in Texas this March, a debut album in the works and a first EP 'How Did It All start' already available. The band are also already firming up their first UK dates for this May. When they do land on these shores they will be bringing almost the entire Turkish indie scene over with them.

The name The Away Days comes from what the four-piece describe as a feeling of not feeling at home, not belonging there. With tracks like 'Rumours', 'Galaxies' and 'Dressing Room' (available as a free download now) they can expect to find some warm welcomes elsewhere as they take their infectious music to the rest of the world.

This is what the band said of their upcoming single 'Galaxies'; "It's a deep song that makes us feel really lost. As the song comes to the end, it feels like we found our way. We made this in the basement, no sun, no light. After some sparkles started to show themselves, it seemed like there were Galaxies around us''.

The single 'Galaxies' will be available from all good digital stores in May. Taken from The Away Days debut EP 'How Did It All Start', the track 'Dressing Room' is available as a free download now. The band also play The Garage in London on May 7th 2013, with more UK dates to be announced shortly. EP 'How Did It All start' is available on iTunes now.

The Away Days have been invited to perform at SXSW festival, and will be playing their first UK show in London at The Garage on May 7th.



MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.facebook.com/theawaydays - Contact Music

The four members of The Away Days, Oguzcan Ozen, Sezer Kic, Berk Tekelioglu and Burak Serter, met in college like most bands. Nothing unusual in that. However, hailing from Istanbul, a city without any real rock or indie scene to speak of, may have made things slightly harder for the indie upstarts.

Despite this, in little over 12 months The Away Days found themselves performing live on Friday night TV to millions on Turkey’s most popular late night show, Okan Bayulgen’s Disco Krali. The band have since performed alongside Pulp and Kaiser Chiefs at the One Love Festival, Mark Ronson and Sam Sparro at an Adidas All Originals Party, Factory Floor at the Babylon Newcomers Festival, and received support and encouragement from the likes of producer Jag Jago, Gary Powell of The Libertines, Ron Lewis of Sub Pop, and been featured by Bella Union’s Simon Raymonde on Amazing Radio.

And that’s just where it begins. The Away Days first US trip beckons with an invite to SXSW festival in Texas this March, a debut album in the works and a first EP ‘How Did It All start’ already available. The band are also already firming up their first UK dates for this May. When they do land on these shores they will be bringing almost the entire Turkish indie scene over with them.

The name The Away Days comes from what the four-piece describe as a feeling of not feeling at home, not belonging there. With tracks like ‘Rumours’, ‘Galaxies’ and ‘Dressing Room’ (available as a free download now) they can expect to find some warm welcomes elsewhere as they take their infectious music to the rest of the world. - Best New Bands

The Away Days - "Dressing Room"
website
RIYL: Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Maccabees - Absolute Punk

Next in line of FSM Favorites are The Away Days! ‘Who’ you might think?
The Away Days are a four-piece band from the beautiful city of Istanbul.
The lads met at college and have already found themselves alongside Kaiser Chiefs, Pulp and Mark Ronson, and supporting Interpol’s Paul Banks most recently. They’ve even performed at Turkey’s most popular Friday night talk-show! Oh, and they’ve played at SXSW last week as well (after some issues with visas, but hey, they made it eventually)!
The Away Days released their smashing debut EP How Did It All Start late last year.
That EP features one of my favorite tracks of theirs; The Dressing Room. Indie-rock at its best! - Front Stage Music

Turkish garage rock with a playful edge. Bet you didn’t expect to read that sentence today, did you? The track’s free to download, which is nice. Check out here. - Alfitude

I receive a lot of press releases touting the latest band from some obscure record label. And that’s not a complaint. Those of us who love our music to venture far from the beaten track are like addicts in need of a regular fix. Listening to The Away Days for the first time, I am immediately comfortable with the sound. It’s airy and spacious and warm and a lot of other things that make me an indie fan. It is the back story that gives me a jolt. An indie band? From Istanbul you say? Surely not.Band members, Oguzcan Ozen (Vocal/Guitar), Sezer Kiç (Lead Guitar), Berk Tekelioglu (Drums) and Burak Serter (Bass) have been building a solid and, indeed, influential fanbase. Bella Union’s erstwhile Cocteau Twin and Amazing Radio presenter, Simon Raymonde is listed as a fan. The Away Days have played the One Love Festival, the Babylon Newcomers Festival and an Adidas All Originals Party as well as having featured on Okan Bayulgen’s Disco Krali, a Friday night TV show in Turkey watched by millions.

They are currently [March 2013] in Austin, Texas playing showcases for SXSW and, with a fair wind, the future looks promising for The Away Days.

What I particularly like is the clever balance of jangly, indie guitar and Ozen’s tenor vocals complimented by intense, brooding, driving bass and intricate cymbal work from Tekelioglu. Their début EP, How Did It All Start? features three tracks, Dressing Room (available now as a free download), Hands and Dear Blender.But if I had to pick a favourite at this early stage, I’d go for Galaxies, a six minute whirling, swirling tour de force that makes me wish I was sat in a kahvehane overlooking the Bosphorus or Fethiye harbour. - Share Diaries

The Away Days - Dressing Room - NPR

The Away Days, a band from Istanbul, play their first ever international gig mid-afternoon in a hotel lobby. Turkish shoegaze might not be a major phenomenon, but given the breadth of their talent, it soon could be. - Guardian.co.uk

One of the most promising band !

Check the url for magazine - Tellin' Tunes Magazine

The Away Days carries influences from Northern music sounds and actually presents an unfamiliar style for us in Istanbul terrain, which is indie-rock. What distinguishes them from other bands in Turkey may be their desire and aim to make themselves known in Europe. While The Away Days is preparing to release their first EP in a couple of months, we can also see the band perform in various festivals during the summer. Dressing Room has an exceptional unity of quality structure, lyrics and music that can't be ignored. - Guardian.co.uk

Debut of Istanbul based ''The Away Days'' playing SXSW - KEXP

Istanbul, TURKEY (Top40 Charts) Istanbul's dreamy indie rock quartet, The Away Days are at the beginning of a beautiful dream. They've been added to the roster of amazing bands to see at this year's South By Southwest Music Festival. Their shimmery guitars and melodic hooks place them in the global community of indie rock and SXSW will put them up on the global stage. They've already drawn the attention of The Guardian, KEXP and other international press and adding to that the release of "Dressing Room" off their debut EP How Did It All Start will surely turn the spotlights their way. With frontman, Oguzcan Ozen's voice perfectly balanced between croon and moan and the catchy, heart-swelling anthemic music behind it, "Dressing Room" is a tune that won't soon be forgotten. - Top 40-Charts

Istanbul’s dreamy indie rock quartet, The Away Days are at the beginning of a beautiful dream. They’ve been added to the roster of amazing bands to see at this year’s South By Southwest Music Festival. Their shimmery guitars and melodic hooks place them in the global community of indie rock and SXSW will put them up on the global stage. They’ve already drawn the attention of The Guardian, KEXP and other international press and adding to that the release of “Dressing Room” off their debut EP How Did It All Start will surely turn the spotlights their way. With frontman, Oguzcan Ozen’s voice perfectly balanced between croon and moan and the catchy, heart-swelling anthemic music behind it, “Dressing Room” is a tune that won’t soon be forgotten. - Pittsburgh Music Magazine

Istanbul’s dreamy indie rock quartet, The Away Days are at the beginning of a beautiful dream. They’ve been added to the roster of amazing bands to see at this year’s South By Southwest Music Festival. Their shimmery guitars and melodic hooks place them in the global community of indie rock and SXSW will put them up on the global stage. They’ve already drawn the attention of The Guardian, KEXP and other international press and adding to that the release of “Dressing Room” off their debut EP How Did It All Start will surely turn the spotlights their way. With frontman, Oguzcan Ozen’s voice perfectly balanced between croon and moan and the catchy, heart-swelling anthemic music behind it, “Dressing Room” is a tune that won’t soon be forgotten. - Pittsburgh Music Magazine

Istanbul, Turkey-based quartet the Away Days have won quite a bit of attention from the international press such as Seattle’s KEXP and the Guardian after the release of their EP, How Did It All Start? And 2013 may be their breakout year. They’ll be touring the UK during the first part of this year, and they’ve been invited to play SXSW in March. They’ll also be heading to the studio to work on what will be their debut full-length effort. In the meantime, check out “Dressing Room” from the EP. After playing it a number of times, I’m reminded a little bit of Interpol and Echo and the Bunnymen — the track is moody but catchy and infectious. - Joy of Violent Movement

Istanbul’s music scene is as varied and exciting as the wares in its outdoor markets, here’s the haunting indie rock of The Away Days. We’re packing our bags as you read this. - Mtv Iggy

The Away Days are an indie rock four-piece hailing from the unlikely location of Istanbul, the first seeds of the band were sown back last year when guitarist/vocalist Oguzcan Ozen met up with fellow guitarist Sezer Koc at college forming the roots of the group. The duo were soon joined by drummer Berk Tekelioglu and bassist Burak Seter, the band decided upon the moniker The Away Days after realising that their sound didn’t really belong there in their native Istanbul having taken their musical influences from the likes of The Maccabees, The Vaccines, Bombay Bicycle Club and The XX among others.

To date the band have already racked up support from the likes of The Guardian, whose website declared the band to be one of the best new finds in March of this year, helping the band gain a great deal of recognition outside of their native country, whilst the likes of top producer Thomas McKay, Sub Pop’s Ron Lewis and Gary Powell of The Libertines have waded in with their support for the band.

How Did It All Start is the bands debut three track EP and as an introduction to the band, it’s pretty much nigh on faultless, intricate guitar, blends effortlessly with infectious riffs and contagious beats, whilst frontman Oguzcan, delivers a sensational indie croon that both aches and intoxicates in equal measure.

The opening track, Dressing Room is simply breath-taking as the band weave a mesmeric spell of clever notes and spiralling picked guitar, rivaling the likes of The Foals for their complex yet addictive approach to all things indie and like the aforementioned Oxford tykes the band have that same ability to embed a massive hook into the proceedings that’ll have even the most casual indie lover returning for repeat spins and if that wasn’t already enticing enough, Oguzcan delivers a stirring yet almost fragile vocal that instantly pings at the heart strings. Hands follows and proves the band are no one trick pony, this time round the band add a little more attitude, as punkish riffs collide with the bands strung out melodies to create a slab of urgency to the the already potent sound.

The Away Days perhaps save the best until last, with the delicate and dreamy, Dear Blender, that see’s the band once again combine layers of intricate guitar to a shimmering beat and wonderous croon that perhaps nods at something of a previously untapped shoegaze indie influence to the group’s sound.

How Did It All Start is (and pardon the pun) a glorious starting point for The Away Days, the band have a unique and evocative sound that should find favour with indie fans the world over, I highly recommend you take the opportunity to discover Istanbul’s finest purveyors of guitar rock before they become global household names.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.theawaydays.com

https://www.facebook.com/theawaydays - Rhythm and booze

"Con un excelente y bien trabajado estilo musical, The Away Days ha ido de poco a poco cosechando nuevas y buenas cosas. El único material con el que cuentan es un EP de tres canciones, el cual resulta bastante interesante y prometedor." - Rock and Radio

"We’re hoping the band make it over to the UK soon as we’d love to work with them on a live music event!' - Broccoli Events

Take one spin through Etsy’s many Turkish artists and you’ll see beautiful craftmanship and gorgeous work. It’s an easy assumption to make, then, that Turkey would abound with well-crafted, detailed indie rock, an art form that often goes hand-in-hand with this type of craftsmanship. While indie rock quartet, The Away Days, surely fit the bill, they are a minority in the Istanbul scene. No matter. The Away Days have gained some recognition in their hometown, but their sights are set on the global stage. This dreamy indie rock band who is more at home with the likes of shimmery guitars and melodic hooks associated with UK bands like The Foals and The Maccabees, hail from the global community of indie rock, rather than a local scene.

The Away Days feel so apart from the Istanbul scene that even their name reflects their sense of otherness. “As we were making music with a universal point of view, we had no need to express ourselves in an origin-based way; so we didn’t!” says Oguczan Ozen of his band’s sound. “Everybody thinks that we’re based in the UK But we’re not. It’s not about where you are based. It’s about how you feel.”

Their debut EP, How Did It All Start, is a delicious taste of what The Away Days have to offer. Ringing, yet intricate guitars give these songs that epic feel of bands like Fun. have turned into superstardom. The EP’s first track, “Dressing Room” is catchy and heart-swelling, and uses Ozen’s born-to-sing-indie voice to tug heart strings and instigate sing alongs. Next is “Hands,” with its tougher, but still poppy riffs and syncopated sparkling chorus. The EP finishes with the dreamy “Dear Blender,” a more contemplative tune that still has the twinkling guitars and croon, but with shimmery synths and single notes punctuating the verses. With only three songs, The Away Days have established a style, one which makes their songs immediately recognizable, but allows them lots of room to grow and play.

The band, only a year old with members a collective age range of 20 years old features Oguzcan Ozen (guitars/vocals/keyboards/synth), Berk Tekelioglu (drums), Sezer Koc (guitars), Burak Serter (bass guitar). Armed with determination and passion, they’ve already been recognized by the British press, garnering a spot on The Guardian’s monthly spotlight on international music while playing One Love Festival with P.U.L.P, Kaiser Chiefs, and Kimbra. The US is also taking notice of The Away Days; their brand new song “Galaxies” was recently featured on KEXP’s “The Morning Show”. They’ve also landed a slot at SXSW 2013, where this young band will make their first trip to the United States to showcase their international flair.

The Away Days have impressed with their debut EP How Did it All Start. They plan to tour The UK at the start of 2013 and will start recording their debut record with Jag Jago, producer of The Maccabees’ latest record. - Green Light Go