Syawish, who also plays in Sleep D and co-runs the Butter Sessions label, works across visual art, sound, and curatorial practice. – which translates to “my roots” – is his first full-length under his own name. It functions as an audio collage bridging his upbringing in Australia and his Chaldean Assyrian heritage.

The record was developed over eight years and is anchored by field recordings from a trip to Iraq. These are spliced into ambient electronics across 42 minutes. He also draws on dub, ambient, and traditional music from Northern Iraq.

Khaled Kurbeh, a friend and fellow Research Records artist, features on the album, as does Melbourne-based cellist Abby Sundborn. Sarah Ujmaia, Syawish’s cousin, created the album art.

Listen to the lead single "Original People" below.

tracklist

“Sherbert”
“Mother Tongue”
“Ancient Memories ft. Khaled Kurbeh”
“Original People (Version)”
“Pisces Son”
“Sandy”
“Identity Crisis”
“Eternal Battle ft. Abby Sundborn”