Guitarist and producer YUZ crafts what he calls “Middle Eastern space rock”, a daring, and at times euphoric blend of Mediterranean strings, virtuosic playing, and psychedelic energy. Drawing inspiration from artists like Zohar Argov, Aris San, Jimi Hendrix, and traditional Greek and Turkish music, his sound is shaped by a deep well of influences: from Arabic melodies, folk and classic rock. We sat down with YUZ to talk about musical identity, heritage, and how all those threads come together in his unique sound.
⸻
Introduction
You perform under the name Yuz. What’s the story behind that?
My real name is Uriah Witztum, but when I started playing shows, especially abroad, people couldn’t pronounce it or remember it. At some point I remembered that a friend used to call me “YUZ” for no reason, and I liked it. It’s short and somehow fits the vibe of the music. Later I found out it has several meanings in Turkish, depending on how you pronounce it. And Turkish people seem to dig my sound, so it connects.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard you before?
I usually describe it as “Middle Eastern Space Rock.” But if I had to capture the vibe, I’d say: imagine yourself in a traditional Greek taverna, only it’s psychedelic, slightly surreal, and a little bit weird. That’s the kind of atmosphere I try to create with my music.
What are your songs about?
This is a hard one, because my tracks are instrumental, so there’s a lot of room for interpretation. I usually start with a melody and when I save it on my computer, I name the tune based on the first thing that comes to mind. Sometimes it’s a tribute to a friend, like “Haringman,” which I wrote for my keyboard player, or a reflection of the place I wrote it. It’s all very instinctive and associative. I try not to overthink it.
⸻
Roots
Has your background influenced your music?
Definitely. Israel is incredibly diverse when it comes to music, you constantly hear Arabic, Greek, Turkish, Russian, and Jewish Ashkenazi sounds around you. My own roots trace back to Russia and Poland through my grandparents, so I grew up surrounded by a mix of traditions. That cultural blend isn’t something I consciously think about it just lives in my ears and naturally shapes the way I create music.
What are your biggest musical inspirations?
From the Middle Eastern world, Zohar Argov is a huge inspiration. He’s often called the Elvis of Israeli Mizrahi music. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up listening to him, but when I finally did, it felt like I already knew the songs. Later I discovered that many of his tracks were actually adapted from Greek and Turkish melodies, which explained that strange sense of familiarity. Also, I really like Aris San, he’s one of my biggest guitar idols. And on the Western side, it’s the classics: Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles. As a guitarist, Hendrix is essential, his influence is everywhere.
How do you combine all those influences into your own sound?
I like to take the extreme elements of different cultures and smash them together. The virtuosic side of Middle Eastern playing – fast, expressive, intense – put in a space rock framework. So you have middle eastern melodies in a western oriented atmosphere.
What instruments do you use to achieve that?
My core is electric and acoustic guitar, but I also use a bouzouki, a baglama, and violin. The bouzouki is very raw and melodic, perfect for rock energy. The baglama is more psychedelic and floaty. Al these instruments seem to go very well together. And then there’s Johanna, my violin player, she’s incredible. She used to be in a punk band in Germany, moved to Israel, and now plays violin. I love taking heavy metal riffs and having her reinterpret them on violin, it transforms the whole vibe.
With everything in the mix, what does fusion mean to you?
Fusion isn’t just a genre, it’s a way of making music new. The word has a cheesy 80s jazz-rock feel to it, but when done well, fusion is what gives music its originality. Everyone imitates something, but the moment you mix it with something unexpected, that’s where your own voice comes out. That’s what fusion means to me: combining traditions to say something fresh.
Do you see a role for yourself in building bridges between cultures?
Definitely. I see music as one of the most powerful ways to connect people across cultures. Last year, I had the opportunity to create a show on any topic I wanted, and I chose to pay tribute to Omar Khorshid, a legendary Egyptian guitarist. It was symbolically loaded and in a time when cultural tensions can run high, it felt important to highlight that music doesn’t belong to any one side. Around a thousand people came, many of whom didn’t know me or him, but the energy was amazing. That night reminded me: music has no borders. It opens hearts, creates understanding, and brings people together when words can’t.
⸻
Live
What do you want people to feel at your live shows?
I love it when a melody makes people happy. But I also want them to be impressed. You paid for a ticket, came out for the night and I want to deliver. Real musicianship, a sense of connection between the band and the crowd. That’s the magic I aim for.
What’s a live show you’ll never forget?
Yes, just a few days ago, actually. It was one of the first sets at a festival. Those moments are tricky because the vibe is still forming. But we went all-in with high energy, and suddenly everything clicked. The audience, the band – it just locked in. That kind of synergy is rare, and unforgettable. But maybe it’s just because it’s the most recent memory, haha.
⸻
Inspires
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a collaboration album with artists from different countries, that’s a dream project. I’ve also written a bunch of new melodies that I want to explore. And honestly, with everything happening in the world right now, especially here, I feel a big shift. These are very hard times, but times of chaos can also spark intense creativity. I hope something meaningful comes out of that.