Weird Barbie’s Hideout: Official CCFF Afterparty

Aurat (OH-RUT), meaning “Women” in Urdu, is a music group based in Los Angeles, CA. Aurat embraces the Urdu language with lyrics of its native language and nontraditional sounds. Aurat was formed/founded as a duo in 2017 by Azeka (vocals) and Gil (bass/production). Azeka and Gil felt something was missing and expanded in 2019 by adding Dolo on guitar which was only a glimpse of what was to come. In 2020, Victor joined the band adding rhythmic heart pounding bass drums complimented by punchy snares on drums. As of 2021, Aurat has now expanded, bringing two different elements to the band (produced tracks followed by full band tracks) that sets them apart from what is currently being done.The group features lead vocalist, Azeka, a Pakistani-American, Gil on (production/bass), Victor (drums), Dolo (guitar). Taking cues from the sounds of darkwave, postpunk, new wave, Aurat (“OH RUT”) are based in Los Angeles with the goal of bringing, “something different to the current scene. We were so used to seeing the ‘norm’ and decided to break down cultural and emotional barriers.” With lyrics sung in vocalist Azeka’s first language Urdu, they explain the band name Aurat (“women”), “is not an aesthetic but a form of representation. Aurat creates an experience that is equally open to anyone. It is a platform that allows individuals to vibe with the music even if they don’t understand the language.” Aurat released a self-titled EP in 2017 and have followed up with three full-length releases since then: Sirens and Image both in 2018 and their latest LP Zeher (“poison”) in April 2020. Although the band is inspired in part by classic electronic music, post punk, industrial, and just about any ‘wave’ related genre you can cite, the sounds are living personalities that can only be dissected on a song-to-song basis. Aurat has a plethora of musical influences that shape the way they play and apply their sound to each song.

Detroit noisemakers Day Residue released their second EP “Deadly Walk” last November on a run of cassette tapes. In 2022, the band grew a reputation for their live performances, sharing bills with local DIY luminaries like Tyvek, Deadbeat Beat, Milk Bath, and more. The 6-song EP opens in confrontation with unrelenting vocals and good-ole shredding from the titular track. The full force of this quartet comes to blows with “Nancy”. Day Residue’s sophomore record proves the band’s subterranean loyalties and what The Detroit Metro Times called “clamoring yet melodic guitar lines indebted to the great garage-punk lineage for which Detroit is known.”