ZÖJ feat. Gelareh Pour and Brian O’Dwyer

Saturday, 21 September 2024 | 07:30 PM

BELLINGEN MUSE presents...

ZÖJ is a Victorian based duo featuring Gelareh Pour on voice and Persian Kamancheh, and Brian O'Dwyer on drum kit.

The exquisite genius of Gelareh Pour, we simply are not worthy. – Nick Cave

Pour’s classical background comes through in masterful playing and evocative interpretations of Persian poetry sung in Farsi. Together with O’Dwyer’s experimental rhythms, the duo’s nuanced synergetic connection sparkles with emotion and purpose. Their strong working relationship has seen the duo co-produce and release several albums together.

The ideals of ZÖJ are firmly rooted in true expression of inter-culturalism, specifically what it means to be from more than one place. Zoj take musical elements and approaches from different cultures and bring them together to create something new. This is different from multicultural, which tends to be a representation of traditional cultures, and it’s different again from fusion, which tends to be different cultures doing their own thing at the same time. Zoj are constantly looking for true collaboration, regardless of origin.

ZÖJ perform structured improvisations that are inclusive of the moment and environment. Translating that each ZÖJ performance is different as the duo allow the space in which they are performing to direct their music and reactions.

Gelareh Pour is a renowned Iranian-Australian musician, known for her exceptional skill as a Persian Kamancheh and Qeychak player, as well as her talents as a singer, composer, and instructor. Gelareh began playing music at a young age, continuing her musical journey in Iran at the Art University of Tehran’s conservatorium, where she earned her BA, before furthering her studies with a Masters of Ethnomusicology at The University of Melbourne.

Gelareh’s flexibility and interest in different cultures and genres sees her working across a variety of music scenes, including, improvised, experimental, cross-cultural, classical, electronic, soundscape, film-score and new Australian music. Her musical prowess has taken her across the globe, with performances spanning Iran, Central Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Brian O'Dwyer started out playing in punk and metal bands. Back in the day, he would go to record stores and try to find drummers that were faster than the last album he’d purchased. He did that until he found free jazz, then never looked back. He has played on a lot of records across all sorts of different styles of music. He is happiest collaborating in free form settings where he can explore conceptual approaches to drumming.

TICKETS

Gelareh and Brian are appearing at this year's Bellingen Muse with the support of Musica Viva.

Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2898928413759621

Website: https://www.gelarehpour.com

 

 

When

Location

Bellingen Memorial Hall