Music Style alt. rock/jazz/funk/pop

Musical Influences Peter Gabriel, Fiona Apple, Elvis Costello, Soundgarden, Stevie Wonder, The Cure, Living Colour, The Police, Dr. Dre, G. Love, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Squeeze, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Beck, The Beatles, The Cars

Similar Artists Steely Danzig (if there was a Steely Danzig)

Group Members David Hetrick: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar Marianna Hetrick: Keyboards, Vocals Jeff Cory: Guitar Jon Brooks: Drums

Instruments Vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums, bass

Albums Times Like These

Press Reviews The cover image on Ottoman's debut CD, Times Like These, sports a family foto of well-dressed tots by the Christmas tree, circa the late '50s. On can speculate on the connection to the music contained inside, whose lyrics sometimes refer to emotional circuitry based on nostalgia and self-discovery. But the music itself is grounded less in times like the ones we're in than it harkens back to a certain sector of '70s pop, particularly Pretzel Logic-era Steely Dan, when there was still a band sense but also smart touches of jazz chords and melodic twists. Of course, that crafty, keyboard–oriented pop line runs up through Ben Folds, too. Still, it's a badge of courage and distinction that Ottoman doesn't really fit in the current radio scene: who'd want to? Lead singer-songwriter Dave Hetrick is a handy man in the studio and behind a pen, who cooks up rockers like "Remember", Dan-esque funkers like "Don't Waste My Time", and flexes a melancholic muscle on "In-between". It's a pleasure to hear music grounded in actual keyboards, i.e. a real Rhodes, piano, and even organ, played by Marianna, whose catchy number "WhatchaGonnaDo?" recalls the lost treasure of an album by model-turned-popster Rosie Vela (oops, that's on comparison too many). The prize here is the art-pop mini-epic of a title track, with its cleanlyarticulated scheme of syncopated low Rhodes chords and a bridge with a thickened plot, and actual Mellotron in the mix. For things actual here, including honest music making, we commend you! Santa Barbara Independent

Location Santa Barbara, CA - USA

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