ZÖJ - In Concert - Where Are You From?

"The consistently exquisite genius of Gelareh Pour – we are simply not worthy" - Nick Cave

"Exhilarating and heart-stoppingly beautiful." - Andrew Ford 

An exploration of identity, place, and the bridging of cultures.

Through emotionally raw soundscapes, ZÖJ share their lives, and reactions to the world around them. Where borders blur, cultures intertwine, and the complexities of belonging and origin sit alongside those of the present and future.

Are we defined by where we’re from, where we are, or where we’re headed?

ZÖJ’s music invites audiences to challenge the notion of a singular identity, question whether we truly belong to just one place, and ponder what it means to belong. Do our differences define us, or does our shared humanity transcend geographical boundaries.

Gelareh Pour’s kamancheh, voice, and poetry blend seamlessly with Brian O’Dwyer’s drum kit, creating a dialogue between Iranian and Australian landscapes. The wood in Gelareh’s kamancheh comes from Iran, while Brian’s drum kit is crafted from Australia.

These instruments, made by Iranian and Australian artisans, symbolise the convergence of diverse influences and the creation of something new and unique.

The makers, like the musicians, are shaped by their environments and traditions, leading to countless crossovers in their work. A ZÖJ performance is a tapestry of cultural exchange, where each note and beat carries the weight of history, heritage, and personal experience. In this way, the sounds not only entertain but also prompt reflection on the value of being born in different places while being present with all that we carry.

Does it matter where we come from, or are we all part of the same human experience?

ZÖJ invites you to find answers within yourself, to transcend boundaries and celebrate our shared humanity.

Listen to ZÖJ’s critically acclaimed debut full-length album here: https://zojduet.bandcamp.com/album/fil-o-fenjoon

-= Awards =-

Music Victoria Awards
• 2020 & 2021 - Gelareh Pour and Brian O’Dwyer (Industry voted Award for Best Inter-Cultural Act)

Art Music Awards - APRA AMCOS & Australian Music Centre
• 2020 - Gelareh Pour and Brian O’Dwyer (Excellence in experimental music)
• 2022 - Zöj (Performance of the year - jazz/improvised music)

-= About Gelareh Pour =-

Iranian born, Persian Kamancheh and Qeychak player, singer, songwriter Gelareh Pour, studied her BA at the Art University of Tehran’s conservatorium and her Masters of Ethnomusicology at The University of Melbourne. She has completed her unique academic research on ‘The Lives of Iranian Women Singers in Diaspora’ at MCM in which she introduces the professional aspects of seven selected Iranian female singers’ lives before and after migration.

Gelareh has performed in Iran, Tajikistan, through-out Europe and Australia. Since arriving in Australia, she has collaborated with some of the country’s most innovative musicians and organisations such as Australian Art Orchestra, Punctum, Rubiks Collective, Cultural Infusion, ANU, University of Melbourne, Boîte, Multicultural Arts Victoria and more. Her flexibility and interest in different cultures and genres sees her working across a variety of music scenes, including, improvised, experimental, cross-cultural, classical, electronic, new music and many more.

Gelareh continues to work with a variety of musicians across many genres, with a focus on new Australian music.

-= About Brian O’Dwyer =-

Brian O’Dwyer is a western experimental percussionist/drummer has been recording and producing music since the mid-late 90’s. Brian explores across genres with a specific focus on cross-cultural and new music.

Personally interested in sound as connection, exploring the moment in which musician and listener impact equally through reaction and response, Brian’s approach to percussion and drumming involves incredible dynamic shift, ebbing and flowing with the various influences of the room.

As a self-taught musician, Brian’s technique has been developed largely by abstract concepts in music that have seen him largely remove traditional modes of western music from his playing, often concentrating performances on texture, shape, contrast, and colour. Ultimately, Brian’s fundamentals are centred in communication, developing fluent language with other performers, audience, and environment.

Brian has recorded and produced over 50 music releases that span multiple genres. He is an accomplished electronic soundscape musician and producer and has performed live with numerous acts.

-= Tickets =-

Tickets: $40 + booking fee ($50 at the door).

* Limited Spaces - please book early to ensure your place.

-= Location =-

Held @ The Open Space

11 Acacia Pl, Abbotsford VIC 3067

Paid parking is available in the public car park at Acacia Place, and across Victoria Street in Victoria Gardens shopping complex. Free parking in Harrison court and surrounds. We are on the lower ground level of Acacia Place.

Disabled access: If you park within the paid parking station off Acacia Place you will be on the same level as our studio. If you enter from Victoria Street level, a lift is available at the top of the first set of steps leading down to the river.