Ela Ozturk brings musical, cultural influences to her work

Singer-songwriter Ela Ozturk draws on a lot of inspiration for her work—from the musical side, it’s the likes of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Adele.

From her family, her Turkish background also plays a strong role in the creation process, whether it’s the region’s signature sounds or those currently performing who call Turkey home. In this interview, Ela and I talk about how these two sides have shaped her as an artist.

Living in the Bay Area, Ela’s become pretty connected to the music scene there, and shares some of her favorite places to perform or see shows at, as well as the different artists she’s come across.

“Circle Back To Me” is about wanting the person to find a way to return into your life even though you’ve both moved on, are older, and we look at the real-life story behind the song. We talk about how she’s grown as an artist since the release of her first single, “Bad Habit,” and her plans for this year.

Following the interview, enjoy the new single, “Circle Back to Me,” and be sure to check out the rest of her music.