Özge Ürer… Alternative Music from Turkey.

Özge Ürer is known for her prolific songwriting and performances in alternative music styles, being one of the rare and leading female artists in Turkey’s reggae scene.

With three solo albums, numerous singles, collaborations, and EPs, Özge Ürer has performed at festivals both nationally and internationally and has held concerts at top venues.

As a multidimensional independent artist, she has skillfully combined alternative pop, reggae, drum and bass, EDM, electro house, trip-hop, bass beat, hip-hop, and other genres with Anatolian influences, creating her own unique style, which she calls the “Özge Ürer Stili” (meaning “The Özge Ürer Style”).

She founded Turkey’s first and only improvisational reggae band, Good Vibes, taking on the roles of producer, singer, and songwriter for the EP “Özgür Ol”. She has released rare Turkish drum and bass tracks and made her mark with Turkey’s first Turkish-language Future Rave song in collaboration with NitroKIDD. Her fans describe her as a “professional firestarter” and “queen of the Turkish reggae scene and DnB singing”.

Additionally, she is a member of the management team at Sista Sound, a collective of female musicians and artists. She continues her work tirelessly as a singer, songwriter, producer, and creative director.
Özge Ürer is coming to Greece and will be participating in Athens Music Week May 7 to May 10.

INTERVIEW WITH… Özge Ürer

Athenscalling.gr: I still find myself humming “Unutmam”, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve listened to it! A remarkable song, just like all the songs you create, with a unique approach to everything happening around us!
Özge Ürer, welcome to Athenscalling.gr!

Özge Ürer: First of all, as a musician, starting this interview by hearing such beautiful words is incredibly motivating and heartwarming. Thank you so much for your kind compliments! And of course, thank you for this interview as well. I’m feeling fantastic—happy to be here!

Athenscalling.gr: In some of the lyrics of “Unutmam”, you write:
“All my loves, whom I thought were by my side, left without a farewell.
What remained was a deep disappointment…
Maybe I can forgive, but I don’t forget…”
These lyrics bring so many thoughts to mind… and one big question: What inspired you to write them?

Özge Ürer: This song was written for the people who enter our lives, those we believe we have shared meaningful efforts with. It could be anyone—the ones you trust the most—your mother, father, lover, closest friend. In a broader sense, it could also be your country’s politicians or the dreams you’ve tied your hopes to for the future. In a way, it’s a song of disappointment dedicated to them all.

The lyrics express the feeling of perhaps being able to forgive, but never forgetting. I actually wrote it while reading Women Who Run with the Wolves. It’s like a conversation with my inner wild woman, a reflection of that deep, instinctive voice within.

Athenscalling.gr: Once again, on behalf of our team, I want to express our admiration for your lyrics, your music, your performance, and the visual representation of your songs. So, here’s the question: What is your songwriting process? Do you start with the melody or the lyrics… and what drives that choice?

Özge Ürer: Ah, thank you so much once again! I always strive to keep the audiovisual connection at the highest level. Beyond being a musician, I also have a professional background as a creative director, which naturally makes me very meticulous about the visual and sonic world of my music. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly talented artists whose work meets global standards, and that also pushes me to maintain a high level of artistry.
As for my songwriting process, it’s usually simultaneous—lyrics and melody come to me at the same time. Sometimes, when I hear a melody, beat, track, or riddim that I really love, I just flow into it improvisationally, and again, words and melody emerge together. There are also times when I write lyrics separately for a topline melody, but at the core of it all, I’m always led by emotion. I need to be provoked by an event, a melody, or a feeling. Thankfully, I’m an artist who gets provoked quite easily

Athenscalling.gr: What first inspired you to embark on your musical journey? Was there someone in your family, or was it something else?

Özge Ürer: I grew up in a family deeply intertwined with music. My parents weren’t professional musicians, but they were what you might call self-taught, deeply passionate about music. My childhood was filled with gatherings where my family and their musician friends would come together, singing, playing, and even organizing their own local concerts.

My mother is an incredible singer, and my father plays percussion and drums. Their friends were some of the finest musicians in our city, so I was constantly surrounded by music and creativity. I remember when I was eight years old, during one of these gatherings, they collectively decided—after consulting me, of course!—that my first instrument should be the violin. And that’s how it all began

Athenscalling.gr: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?

Özge Ürer: Do you know what my name, Özge, means? It translates to ‘one of a kind,’ ‘different,’ ‘unlike any other.’ I think I can say the same for my music—it’s simply Özge.

Athenscalling.gr: Are there any specific artists or music genres that have influenced your creations?

Özge Ürer: There are so many artists who have influenced me over the years—from The Mars Volta to Black Uhuru, from Mastodon to Róisín Murphy, from Barış Manço to Nazamba, from MF DOOM to Chase & Status. It’s like a diversity show when it comes to the people and genres that have shaped me!

But at the core of it all, my heart belongs to reggae music, and lately, my passion for drum’n’bass has been growing stronger. I love bass music, and I’m a big fan of sound system culture. When I blend all of these influences together, it naturally becomes Özge. In fact, we’ve started calling it the Özge Ürer Style for a while now!
Of course, in Turkey, these genres remain in the subgenre space, but I reinterpret them through the heritage of my homeland. My lyrics are in Turkish, and my melodies and vocal style carry the unique flavor of my deep-rooted background in Turkish classical music. I hope all of this becomes a lasting legacy

Athenscalling.gr: Let’s take a trip to the past… Imagine young Özge buying her very first album. How old were you, and what was the album?

Özge Ürer: Wow, we’re really going back in time! Let me dig into my memory…As for my own first albums, they were probably Metallica, Korn, Incubus, or Limp Bizkit. My childhood years were definitely a rocker phase.

Athenscalling.gr: Since we’re talking about the past, can you tell us what inspired you to write and perform your first song?

Özge Ürer: The first song I ever wrote was actually an instrumental piece for the saz, meant to be played on the violin. It had a Turkish classical music feel, but with a touch of Turkish pop and rock mixed in. As for the first song with lyrics, I used to sing and play it on my acoustic guitar. The lyrics went something like:
‘I have a heart, always grey, like the waters of the Black Sea—dark, fierce, waves swallowing the world… yet you still don’t see me.’Total teenage angst, right?

Athenscalling.gr: How are your musical creations received in your country and globally? What kind of feedback do you get?

Özge Ürer: The people who discover my music and connect with it often give very positive feedback. They highlight how my songs have a unique essence—different yet captivating, with lyrics and melodies that stay with them. I love hearing that because it means the music resonates beyond just sound.

In Turkey, I sometimes face challenges reaching a wider audience, as the styles I blend—reggae, drum and bass, and bass music—are not considered mainstream in the local market. There’s also a lack of showcase festivals here, which makes it harder for independent artists like me to connect with the global scene. However, internationally, these genres are well-recognized, and my music finds its place more naturally.

That’s why receiving an invitation to Athens Music Week was such an exciting and meaningful moment for me. It’s a great opportunity to bring my music to a broader stage and engage with new audiences. Even when people don’t understand the lyrics, they tell me they can feel the energy, emotions, and the story within the sound. That’s the power of music—it transcends language and culture!”

Athenscalling.gr: Speaking from the heart, as we say in Greece, you are a vibrant musical puzzle with performances at festivals in Turkey and other countries. Which festival experience is the most unforgettable for you?

Özge Ürer: I believe it will be Athens Music Week! Every festival has its own unique energy, but being invited to perform at AMW is truly exciting for me. It feels like a special milestone in bringing my music to the global stage, and I can’t wait to experience it.

Athenscalling.gr: Speaking of festivals… This May, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy your live performance at Athens Music Week in Greece! How did this invitation come about?

Özge Ürer: It all started when a fellow music professional, who closely follows the global music scene, asked me, ‘Why don’t you apply?’ and sent me the open call link. I filled out the form, and here we are!

Athenscalling.gr: I imagine you’ve visited our country. What do you know about Greek music? Any composers, singers, or songs that you are familiar with?

Özge Ürer: I’ve been to Athens and Thessaloniki before to perform at a festival organized by Multiversal, an independent non-music collective focused on noise and experimental music. It was an interesting festival where artists from different musical backgrounds and various European cities came together to create music. I had a great time in both cities. By the way, Greeks and Turks are so similar! 🙂 I really like the Greek darkwave duo Selofan, and this year, we had the chance to watch Krešendo Marina Satti both at Eurovision and at “Bu Festival Bizim,” an important festival in Turkey that features only female artists. She’s such a talent.

Athenscalling.gr: How do you view today’s music scene,both in your country and internationally?

Özge Ürer: We are living in a time where there is an abundance of everything—artists, consumers, and marketers of art. The best and the worst coexist in the same space. For Turkey, having more festivals and greater genre diversity within those festivals is essential for a more visionary music market in the bigger picture. Globally, one of the main issues is the fairness of streaming platforms. Musicians are not receiving fair compensation for the effort, money, and time they invest in their music. I believe that the rise of new platforms, alternative systems, and independent organizations is inevitable in response to this.

Athenscalling.gr: And specifically, as a female musician in the music industry…?
Özge Ürer: Just like in the rest of the world, the music industry lacks gender equality. It is a male-dominated sector within a male-dominated world. We put in a lot of effort to balance this inequality. For example, if you look at festival line-ups in Turkey, the majority of artists are men—sometimes there isn’t even a single woman on the bill. Or, if you’re a female producer, people might ask, “Did you really do this yourself?” To create space for ourselves and support each other, we founded Sista Sound—the first collective of women musicians in Turkey. We laid its foundations in 2017, and when people told us we were the first in Turkey, even we were shocked. Increasing women’s visibility and presence in both global and local music scenes, advocating for our rights, and standing together to support one another is absolutely critical.

Athenscalling.gr: Friends who have seen you perform live say that your stage presence is incredible. So, Özge, how do you feel when you perform on stage?

Özge Ürer: I’m a total stage beast! It’s the place where I feel the most alive. When I merge my energy with the audience’s, an indescribable aura forms—we all step into a shared vibe. It feels like my true purpose in life, like I couldn’t exist without it. On stage, I feel like a transmitter between the music and the people. It’s pure passion for me—my heart races, my eyes well up, and sometimes I even cry from sheer happiness. Honestly, just talking about it right now is giving me chills! My fans even call me a professional fire starter—I set the stage ablaze every time!

Athenscalling.gr: You have released three solo albums, along with many singles, collaborations, and EPs. Is there one among them that stands out to you?

Özge Ürer: My latest Turkish DnB track, CANAVAR, definitely stands out. Also, URA, the urbanist remix album I released two years ago, holds a special place in my heart—it features 10 different producers who reimagined my songs with complete artistic freedom. And of course, my Turkish reggae tracks are deeply meaningful to me as well.

Athenscalling.gr: Since we’re talking about your discography, are you currently working on any new projects?

Özge Ürer: Yes! I’m always creating, and right now, I’m working on new music that blends my signature sound with fresh influences. There will be more Turkish DnB, more Turkish Reggae, and more unique sounds—always pushing forward with new ideas. I also have some exciting collaborations in the works and am diving deeper into my journey as a DJ/selector, which is opening up new sonic possibilities for me. Stay tuned—there’s a lot coming!

Athenscalling.gr: And here’s something else… Besides your amazing vocal performances, I must highlight—speaking as a fashion enthusiast—your stunning stage outfits! What can you tell us about your style?

Özge Ürer: I’m so happy to hear that! I put a lot of effort into my stage styling, and I do it all myself. Just like my music, my fashion choices are diverse and ever-evolving. I’d say my style is mostly urban, but sometimes it’s romantic, sometimes sexy, sometimes futuristic, and other times deeply local. My years of working in creative industries have given me a multidisciplinary perspective on my art, and styling is one of those elements. In fact, within my team, we like to call this whole audiovisual experience the “Özge Ürer Style.” Thank you again for your kind words!

Athenscalling.gr: Now, using the Turkish language, let’s play a little game. Using the initials of your name, fill in the blanks with any words you feel describe you best!

Özge Ürer: (Ö)zgür,(Z)eki,(G)lobal,(Ε)klektik…means Free, Smart, Global, Eclectic!

Athenscalling.gr: Dear Özge Ürer… Wishing you a wonderful journey on the musical highway to success!
Özge Ürer: I’m so happy to be part of this interview—thank you for having me! I can’t wait to connect with the Greek audience. An incredible experience awaits me and my team, and I’m just as excited to surprise and mesmerize you all with my music. Counting down the days until I arrive! Huge thanks to the AthensCalling team and to you for your amazing questions and for taking the time to chat with me. See you soon!