ZÖJ
Persian-poetry duo for voice, kamancheh, qeychak, drums
Based in Melbourne, Australia
Voice, kamancheh and qeychak sit over close-mic’d drums, with lots of air between phrases and a live-improvised feel. It’s intimate rather than glossy: bowed drones, clipped rhythmic turns, and vocals that lean on Persian poetry instead of pop structure. Their set is likely to move like chamber music that keeps cracking open into improvisation.
More about ZÖJ
ZÖJ is Gelareh Pour and Brian O’Dwyer, working from Melbourne/Naarm. Their Bandcamp frames the project as intercultural collaboration, and the new album was recorded live without overdubs, which fits the duo’s focus on real-time exchange rather than studio layering. ([zojduet.bandcamp.com](https://zojduet.bandcamp.com/music))
A story
The album title comes from a Persian saying used to protect something beautiful from envy or ill fate.
Playing
- 2026-11-07 2026-11-07T19:30:00 · ZÖJ · Theater Kikker
Start here
- May The Devil's Ear Be Deaf (2026) · Bleeemo Music
Live-cut duo album; best snapshot of the project.
Worked with
- Gelareh Pour band member
- Brian O’Dwyer band member
For fans of
The Necks, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, Mariam RezaeiOfficial links
Plan Le Guess Who? 2026 with Songpot · Ask about ZÖJ in ChatGPT or Claude