ZÖJ | Where Are You From?

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.

Gelareh Pour, Kamanach/Qheychack
Brian O’Dwyer, Drum Kit

"Gelareh’s voice can at one moment be soothing and dreamlike and then rise to artfully crafted keens – acute intensities that retain a knife-like edge of control and abandon." – Hear & Now

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

"O’Dwyer is like no other percussionist I have ever seen, creating a subtle, shifting and unobtrusive audio-scape of extraordinary colour. He is hypnotic to watch." – Broadway World