After going through more bassists than Spinal Tap did drummers, Foton Kuşağı’s lineup is finally set, and the band is ready to return to the recording studio and their regular live performance schedule. The band consists of: Paul Benjamin Osterlund on guitar and vocals, Alper Erkut on the drums, and Matt Loftin, “their fifth (and hopefully last) bassist.” They’ve grown accustomed to each other over the past year since they’ve added Matt, but the band’s current sound has been a long time in the making.
Paul and Alper met in 2008 at Peyote in Beyoğlu while performing for their own bands at the time. Alper’s luminously dyed hair coupled with his energy on the drums intrigued Paul and finally, three years later, they began their collaboration when Paul returned to Istanbul and both of them found their schedules open. They began with the intention of “a mellow, shoegaze sort of sound,” according to Paul, “but we quickly tossed that out the window and started to play faster.” Now they cite influences not only from the shoegaze genre, which produces bands like My Bloody Valentine, but also heavy metal bands Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, as well as punk groups Leatherface and Jawbreaker. They feel it’s unfair to group their stylings into any discernible genre, but if you had to (and I forced them) they would describe it as, “a loud punk/indie rock band inspired by metal, country, shoegaze and power pop.” If you’re unfamiliar with some of these genres, let me assure you that this is an eclectic array; Foton Kuşağı’s sound truly draws on influences from all across the music spectrum.
This range makes it difficult to pin down a comparison. When you watch Foton Kuşağı live, they have the energy and pace of a punk group, and a musical expression similar to an indie rock band, with a dash of crunching guitar and a sprinkling of melodic tones. These guys are upfront about the fact that they are not the most technical musicians, but this leads to their music being a raw and emotive experience. If you imagine Sonic Youth vs. Frank Zappa, you’re getting the former. Not to say their music is all surface, because it’s not, but you don’t need any sort of training in musical theory or an understanding of current events to enjoy it.
I think this product, while it may not be intentional, is inevitable given how they feel about their own music. When asked about his feelings on the process of creating and playing music, Paul had this to say: “Personally, music is the only part of my life from which I derive a spiritual sense of existence, this comes in multiple forms whether it be the holy and indescribably intimate interaction that comes from writing music and connecting with your friends via your shared creation, or playing live and sharing a spontaneous moment with the people around you.” When you listen to Foton Kuşağı, you feel this enigmatic moment between these individuals.
Making music isn’t something they just do for fun, it’s something they can’t live without. Paul says it best: “Music has always been something I have had to do, so it’s not really just a hobby or an interest. If I’m not doing it, I feel depressed and anxious and blocked up, but when I’m actively working on songs and playing shows it is a really healthy and fulfilling process.” These guys all work day jobs, but this need to play is a binding characteristic. Alper and Matt’s lives revolve around the Istanbul music scene. Alper heads Byzantion Records, while Matt helped launch a nonprofit music website called sonikraf.com. So, music is something these guys live and breathe.
After a string of other failed bass players, the group added Matt to solidify the lineup and provide some consistency to their recording aspirations. Before his addition to the group they recorded one self-titled album. Now, they are working on a five song EP that will be out this summer to hopefully coincide with a tour of the Balkans. They would like to put out another EP later this year. Ideally, all this work will lead to the production of another album starting next year.
You can check out Foton Kuşağı’s music on their website fotonkusagi.bandcamp.com. Though, like I said earlier, you can get a better sense of their energy live. Luckily, they are part of the impressive line-up at the We Are All Refugees II benefit concert. The concert will take place at Tunnel Sahne in Taksim on May 30.
Well said! Questions are pretty interesting.