about oso
Performing music with roots in Americana, containing deep intertwining layers of melody, rhythm and time reminiscent of Eastern Europe, oso is creating rock music that’s moving beyond the boundaries of genre. Described as ‘technical folk’ and ‘math-rock world music’, oso makes music that blends the intensity of sweeping compositions with the intimacy of heart-felt vocals.
With ‘a circus-like sense of theater’, oso’s performances connect with people due to the sheer energy and emotion of the experience, reaching music lovers of all cultures and ages. As often as they play loud ‘plugged-in’ shows at music venues, oso performs on the street, setting up with acoustic instruments whenever, wherever—Phil on a unicycle, Tim at a child-sized drum set, Nick and Andrew sharing a battery powered amp—always able to deliver exciting music, flexible to any sonic situation. Employing these guerrilla tactics, oso has made music in cities across the United States and Europe, even performing— with Phil atop his unicycle—on a moving bus in South London.
oso began out of the rubble of Chicago post-rock group Volta Do Mar in 2003. The band has been performing in California since 2004, and throughout the US since 2005. During the summers of 2007 and 2008, oso had residencies the UK, playing extensively in London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, as well as short stints in Berlin and Istanbul. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, oso has shared the stage locally with such notable national touring acts as Dengue Fever, Extra Golden, Deerhoof, and Kaki King.
In Spring 2009 returned to the UK for a two-week string of shows, playing the same streets and clubs from the previous summers in front of a growing UK fan base. The remainder of 2009 will see oso touring the South and Midwest, while recording a new album in between several west coast runs.
Using a D.I.Y. approach to touring and recording, oso has self-produced three albums and continue to evolve how they perform music live and in the studio. oso is Phil Taylor—guitar, voice, words, art; Tim Beutler—drums, accordion, voice; Andrew Fedders—bass, voice; Nick Coventry—violin, slide guitar, voice.
