Özgün Semerci

Musician — Instanbul

01Profile

A Özgün Semerci Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Özgün Semerci, I’m from Istanbul.

What do you do?
I write songs, play the banjo, listen to punk rock.

Describe your style in 3 words?
Let’s make babies.

How should your music be listened to?
While driving in the woods at night. That would be a perfect match.

What do you miss about home when you are on tour?
Actually, I've never been on a tour long enough to miss the home. But, I’d miss my bed and my girlfriend.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
We have played at “All Saints Church”, Istanbul. It was a show I never wanted to end.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
I’m a huge fan of Billy Bragg’s music, his sound inspired me quite a lot.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk rock, ska music and '80s Turkish Pop.

What music defines the teenage you?
As fast as possible music.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Andy Yorke has written much better songs than his older brother did. The Unbelievable Truth.

You can make a record with anyone from history?
Black Sabbath. It would be great to discover the darkness in them and their music.

You can spend an hour with anyone from history?
Pete Seeger. He was born in 1919 and died in 2004. There would be so much to talk to him about music, life and politics. I am very curious about what he is thinking about the world these days.

04Playlist Notes

A song from your favourite album?
‘One Thing to Live’ by Lagwagon from 'Double Plaidinum'.

What is the first song you played on repeat?
‘Africa’ by Toto.

Song you wish you had written?
‘White Blank Page’ by Mumford & Sons.

A song lyric that inspires you?
"Good morning heartache,
You’re like an old friend,
Come and see me again."

From 'Old Friend' by Rancid.

Music icons that have inspired you…
The Cure. Robert Smith and their music have a huge inspiration on me.

What music did you listen to growing up?
Nirvana

One record you would keep forever?
‘Dookie’ by Green Day.

What was the last piece of music you bought?
'Morbid Stuff’ by PUP (LP).

What song do you put on first thing in the morning?
'İşte Hendek İşte Deve' by Barış Manço.

Name a song that makes you smile.
‘Bad Art & Weirdo Ideas’ by Beach Slang.

Name a song that reminds you of your childhood
‘Deli Deli’ by Mfö.

The best love song of all time?
‘Back Together’ by Babybird.

Best song to turn up loud?
‘Festival Song’ by Jeff Rosenstock.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
‘Sally Brown’ by Bad Manners.

Best song to bring people together?
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
I think I’m very predictable at this point. And that sucks.

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Oso Oso, The Homeless Gospel Choir, Tiny Moving Parts, Heart Attack Man.

4 new songs you can’t stop listening to right now?
‘Fake Blood’ by Heart Attack Man
‘Fish in a Gun Barrel’ by NOFX
‘Broken Tongue’ by Joshua James
‘On&On&On’ by Caamp

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Özgün Semerci, I’m from Istanbul.

What do you do?
I write songs, play the banjo, listen to punk rock.

Describe your style in 3 words?
Let’s make babies.

How should your music be listened to?
While driving in the woods at night. That would be a perfect match.

What do you miss about home when you are on tour?
Actually, I've never been on a tour long enough to miss the home. But, I’d miss my bed and my girlfriend.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
We have played at “All Saints Church”, Istanbul. It was a show I never wanted to end.

What British music icons inspire your sound today?
I’m a huge fan of Billy Bragg’s music, his sound inspired me quite a lot.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk rock, ska music and '80s Turkish Pop.

What music defines the teenage you?
As fast as possible music.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Andy Yorke has written much better songs than his older brother did. The Unbelievable Truth.

You can make a record with anyone from history?
Black Sabbath. It would be great to discover the darkness in them and their music.

You can spend an hour with anyone from history?
Pete Seeger. He was born in 1919 and died in 2004. There would be so much to talk to him about music, life and politics. I am very curious about what he is thinking about the world these days.

04Playlist Notes

A song from your favourite album?
‘One Thing to Live’ by Lagwagon from 'Double Plaidinum'.

What is the first song you played on repeat?
‘Africa’ by Toto.

Song you wish you had written?
‘White Blank Page’ by Mumford & Sons.

A song lyric that inspires you?
"Good morning heartache,
You’re like an old friend,
Come and see me again."

From 'Old Friend' by Rancid.

Music icons that have inspired you…
The Cure. Robert Smith and their music have a huge inspiration on me.

What music did you listen to growing up?
Nirvana

One record you would keep forever?
‘Dookie’ by Green Day.

What was the last piece of music you bought?
'Morbid Stuff’ by PUP (LP).

What song do you put on first thing in the morning?
'İşte Hendek İşte Deve' by Barış Manço.

Name a song that makes you smile.
‘Bad Art & Weirdo Ideas’ by Beach Slang.

Name a song that reminds you of your childhood
‘Deli Deli’ by Mfö.

The best love song of all time?
‘Back Together’ by Babybird.

Best song to turn up loud?
‘Festival Song’ by Jeff Rosenstock.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
‘Sally Brown’ by Bad Manners.

Best song to bring people together?
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.

Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
I think I’m very predictable at this point. And that sucks.

Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Oso Oso, The Homeless Gospel Choir, Tiny Moving Parts, Heart Attack Man.

4 new songs you can’t stop listening to right now?
‘Fake Blood’ by Heart Attack Man
‘Fish in a Gun Barrel’ by NOFX
‘Broken Tongue’ by Joshua James
‘On&On&On’ by Caamp

 

05Videos

Özgün Semerci | Delik (2019)

Özgün Semerci | Geri Gider (2019)

Özgün Semerci | Kokular (2019)

Özgün Semerci | Murek (2018)

Özgün Semerci | Mucize (2016)