Azar Swan

Azar Swan is the musical project of singer-songwriter and musician Zohra Atash and producer Joshua Strawn. After dissolving their previous band, Religious to Damn, Atash and Strawn chose to begin experimenting with electronic instrumentation.

Azar Swan work with mixer Mike Dextro who is a producer and live touring DJ for Zebra Katz. Charlie Schmid (also of Vaura and Religious to Damn) contributes percussion on select tracks.

Biography

Azar Swan's first show was November 10th, 2012, which was followed by notable direct support slots with Prurient, White Lung, Cut Hands, King Dude, Tamaryn, and David J, and a BUST Magazine^[1] showcase with JD Samson & MEN. The band premiered their debut single, "Amrika" on USA Today^[2] on October 24th, 2012 and has subsequently released several digital singles. The single "In My Mouth" was released as one of the final releases from Pendu Sound Recordings, and was remixed by Drew McDowall.

Azar Swan released their debut LP, entitled Dance Before The War, on the independent label Handmade Birds in November of 2013. Pitchfork called the band's sound "prime industrial pop"^[3] and said the album's title track was aggressive and accessible with a "bent for experimentation."

Lyrically the subject matter ranges from weather to war, and has taken on a more biographical and outward looking dimension. Atash has been vocal about her experience as the child of Afghan refugees, as well as her experience as a woman navigating complex cultural experiences and identities.^[4]

Discography

Singles

• "Amrika" (2012) self-released
• "In My Mouth/Over" (2013) Pendu Sound Recordings
• "Broken English" (2014) Manimal

Studio albums

• Dance Before The War (2013) Handmade Birds

References