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.

Upcoming Shows

Date Time Venue Location

oso Writings

where in the world…?

October 6th, 2010

Some of you might have noticed the lack of activity on the oso front.  This is not due to a lack of thought, energy, or reason, but rather a momentary shift in the focus of the lives of the members of oso.  In June, we released our latest album, Harm Reduction.  This release of a new album was followed by the antithesis of the normal mode of progression most bands follow.  That is to say, most bands would tour after releasing a new album.  oso has done the opposite: we’ve taken a sabbatical, a hiatus, a period of time where each member can pursue personal goals free from the strictures imposed by playing in a full-time musical entity.  We had been planning this hiatus for some time now, fueled by various influences: Phil’s desire to return to Istanbul, where he previously discovered that busking there is a viable form of income; Andrew’s desire and need to focus on finishing his PhD; Nick’s desire for love and music, which brought him to Tucson, AZ; and Tim’s desire to explore new mediums of musical expression, leading him to Berlin.  Our time apart has worried some that we would not return, which is a real concern for many people.  We cannot truthfully say that we know when we will reconvene, though the next logical place all members would be in the same place would be at Andrew’s wedding in June of 2011.  Though, as we know, logic hardly plays a role in the moment-to-moment decisions one faces while traveling, or while planning the next move in our lives.  It is impossible to know when oso will play as a full band again, though there have been moments of oso street outreach programs – Tim and Phil playing in duo format.  Since both en route to various European areas, they’ve met in Edinburgh, and plan to play through the month of October in London.  Then, Phil is off to Istanbul, and Tim to Berlin.

To all of our friends, family, and fans, we are thankful for you, and thinking of you.  There are so many of you who have opened your hearts and your homes to us, uplifting us with your praise and fueling us with food and drink.  We would not be who we are or where we are if it weren’t for the consistent outpouring of support from people across the world.  We are so grateful to have had the opportunities to share the joy of music with you, in the hopes of stirring some deep truths from within, of moving hearts and minds in new directions.  As long as there are people out there listening, oso will be alive in our hearts and minds.  See you again in 2011. [TB]

oso Pictures

  • artwork

    artwork

    1 Photo

  • Certain Sparks

    Certain Sparks

    photos from Certain Sparks recording studio. Photos by Andrew Schoneberger and Josh Figatner. 21 Photos

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    Ofad's Coming of Age Party

    Photos by Mike Rusczyk 10 Photos

  • Photo Selections

    Photo Selections

    10 Photos