New ZÖJ album to fly

HOT on the heels of sold out shows in Sydney and Melbourne and glowing reviews, Ballarat trio ZÖJ is bringing its new Give Water To Birds album launch tour to Creswick’s Odessa at Leaver’s Hotel tonight.

ZÖJ are Ballarat couple Gelareh Pour and Brian O’Dwyer, who recently joined forces with Romsey-based guitarist Brett Langsford, a musician they’d long admired.

Attendees of the gig at 7pm tonight, Friday 25 July, can expect haunting, raw music that’s personal yet universal.

Originally from Iran, Pour sings in Persian and plays a Kamancheh (a traditional Persian stringed instrument), O’Dwyer drums and Langsford plays guitar.

Each piece blends improvisation with Persian poetry, inviting listeners into a meditative yet emotionally charged world.

With improvisation a fundamental part of what the trio does, Pour said every live performance they give is unique with the audience’s own presence becoming an integral part of the creative process.

She sings the lyrics in Persian and said audience members receive a pamphlet “that tells the story of the poem” .

“We just let everything happen really naturally and that’s why the music is very honest and raw,” she said.

“I just hope everyone comes and enjoys themselves and just lets the music swallow them. It’s very special to us and we love to share it.”

More details are available at Gelarehpour.com and the venue’s website.