In this week’s episode of “With Eylül Aşkın…” hosted by Eylül Aşkın, musician Özge Öztimur, known for her powerful vocals and stage performance, was the guest. During the program, which featured a candid conversation, Öztimur shared special insights about her 20-year career, her time working with Hande Yener, her passion for motorcycles, and her highly anticipated new single.
The interview took place at Ayrışım Kitapevi Kafe, one of Kadıköy’s natural and vegan-friendly venues. Speaking on the program, Özge Öztimur stated that her journey with music dates back to her childhood years, saying, “In first grade, after the pledge and the National Anthem, I would go up and sing. The professional start of this career came when I formed my own band during my university years.”
Describing the three years she worked with Hande Yener, one of the most important milestones of her career, as her “school,” Öztimur said, “With Hande Yener, there wasn’t a province I didn’t visit or a stage experience I didn’t have in Turkey. I learned everything about how a backup vocalist should be, the rhythm, the dynamics, from her. I feel very lucky in this regard.”
The artist, who stepped into a solo career with her single “Porselen” in 2017, emphasized her freedom in combining different music genres. “Because I listen to all kinds of music, I can produce songs in any style. While ‘Rakı Masası’ had a Turkish classical music flavor, ‘Dert’ carried R&B pop tones. My new single will also be in a different style that will surprise everyone,” she said.
The successful vocalist also touched upon her pre-stage routines, stating, “On a performance day, I always work out. I pay close attention to my water intake, I don’t talk on the phone, and I don’t engage in any dialogue that might upset me. I become a bit of a ‘curse’ on performance days.”
During the program, Öztimur’s 11-year passion for motorcycles was also discussed. The artist, who was the face of Harley Davidson for women in 2017, said, “My motorcycle is my rehabilitation center. I don’t go to a psychologist; I ride my motorcycle. As a female motorcyclist, on the contrary, I receive great respect and support on road rides.”
At the end of the conversation, Öztimur also touched upon the transformation in the music industry, saying, “In the past, there was a great variety in live music. Now, we sometimes have to stay within certain molds; the audience has become much more uniform. This upsets me.”
At the end of the interview, Özge Öztimur also gave hints about her eagerly awaited new single, announcing that her new single, to be released on March 20, 2026, incorporates R&B pop and light funky rhythms and will meet the audience with a music video. The artist stated that the music video would have a “sexy” concept and that she was considering being involved in the shooting process as a director.
The full video can be accessed via the Türkiye Haber Portalı’s website and YouTube channel.
