oso is Phil Taylor (guitar, voice, words), Tim Beutler (drums, accordion, voice), Andrew Fedders (bass, voice), and Nick Coventry (violin, slide guitar, voice). Using a D.I.Y. work ethic and low-fi recording aesthetic combined with progressive sense of melody, rhythm, and time reminiscent of eastern European brass and gypsy bands, oso’s music is looking forward to the future. Described by a South London Pub promoter as a “Gypsy Circus Explosion”, oso's live show connects with people on many levels, reaching music lovers from any scene. As often as they play plugged-in electric shows at music venues, they are working hard on the street, setting up with acoustic instruments whenever and wherever—Phil on his unicycle, Tim at his child-sized drum set, Nick and Andrew sharing a battery powered amp—oso is a flexible band able to deliver under any circumstance. Using these guerrilla tactics, they have performed moving music on city corners from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Istanbul. oso has played across California since 2005, produced three albums, and been working hard to spread their musical message afar, having visited Europe three times in the past two years. In a variety of sonic settings, from club stages to the heart of a street crowd, an oso performance is a musical experience.
selected press quotes:
oso is one part math-rock, two parts gypsy jazz, and one part tribal chants, it’s absolutely impossible to stand still during their set every chord and crash and beat and yelp is another jolt of sonic lightening that pumps adrenalin into the audience.
--Good Times Magazine, Santa Cruz, CA
a progressive rock unit with Eastern European leanings and a circus like sense of theater. oso opened the show unplugged, in the middle of the dance floor, with an accordion, acoustic bass, violin and a guitarist who kept himself upright on a unicycle while playing and belting out vocals.
-- Santa Barbara News Press, Santa Barbara, CA
Listening to these talented and creative musicians play their own original compositions, you can seel clearly another world is possible.
--Istanbul Zaman, Istanbul, Turkey
Thursday night as Soho marked one of the most jam-packed crowds I’ve seen for an opening act in a good long while. The audience that gathered ‘round for oso’s long and winding collection of tunes was sonically smitten. The set both opened and closed with the foursome moving off the stage and on the floor, unicycle and upright bass in tow for some twangy, blues-y, rockabilly tinged jams that had the crowed scampering to get a good glimpse. In between the boys delivered a series of rollicking, fiddle-driven rock-outs that drew many slack-jawed “ahhs” of approval—not to mention a good deal of head nodding and sway dancing.
--Santa Barbara independent, Santa Barbara, CA
You guys did such a great job. Thank you so much for making our wedding even that much more special. Everyone from the youngest 6 year old the oldest 84 year old loved your music. You have no idea how happy I am that you played. Rock on guys!!!
Detonate your life in a triumph of days OSO! Sure wish you so... Thanks for such grand time back in Santa Cruz... Hope to hook up with you in July in Chicago!
