Band Profile: Golden Horn

Ah, spring in the countryside… the chirping birds, the gentle rustling of the foliage in the welcome breeze, the warm shimmer of guitar reverb… Wait, what? Well, that’s exactly what you get watching Golden Horn’s live video “Lucid”: eight songs performed in one session, somewhere out in the fields far away from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul. A fitting setting for the band, whose sound evokes memories of summer evenings, sunsets, and wine.

Golden Horn was conceived when songwriter Emrecan Agtas, tired of the grueling search for a band, decided to do it alone: to write all the songs and lyrics, and arrange all the instruments’ parts. Only then did he bring in anybody else, starting out with some session players. After some searching, a definitive line-up emerged, complementing Agtas’ acoustic guitar, tasteful effects and powerful voice with low-key but intricate drum beats and bass harmonies. Together, the trio bring to mind the warm glow of Efterklang, the soothing harmonies of old Coldplay* and — dare I say — the somewhat quirky beauty of Radiohead’s more introspective moments.

The band has played Istanbul’s many venues with this set, and Agtas has toured through the UK on his own, getting great reactions from fans as he played on streets, under bridges, in bars and living rooms, honing the songs to perfection. The results of all this work can be heard this week at the second annual We Are All Refugees benefit concert at Tunnel Sahne, one of the last times the band will play before diving into the studio this summer to record a new album. So, don’t miss out. Come listen, close your eyes, and see the summer sun set in your glass. Melancholy doesn’t get better than this.

*The author wants to emphasize “old” here. Not present-day gluten-free, Apple©-designed parent pop Coldplay. Think first album, and not even the singles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAhdJ85Vko8