Representing a tiny nation with a huge sound, Azadoota infuses Assyrian party music with Latin, African and Eastern European flavours.

Azadoota is the creation of Assyrian singer/songwriter Robin Zirwanda. Robin was born in Baghdad, Iraq, where his father was a popular guitarist and singer. Growing up in a house full of music, Robin was destined to be a musician, but despite his father’s best efforts to teach him guitar, Robin’s passion was the drums.

After migrating to Australia, Robin spent the early part of his career as a drummer and percussionist. In 1986, Robin toured with “American Pie” legend Don McLean, an experience that left him with a lasting impression. Robin describes how during the tour, enjoying lobster and caviar backstage, he asked Don McLean what it took to achieve such a high level of success in the music industry. Don replied, “You have to gamble on yourself, Robin”.

With those words echoing in his head, Robin started writing songs in his native language, Assyrian, and eventually Azadoota was born. Showcasing a diverse multi-ethnic line-up, Azadoota is a true hybrid of contemporary musical cultures, owing as much to Western pop as it does to its more exotic influences.

In 2008 Azadoota released their first commercial album. Created with the goal of making music that breaks through cultural barriers, they named the album “Planetarian”. The album received airplay on Triple J and Radio National, as well as on many local and community radio stations. And proving that music really does transcend borders, the album has been featured on radio shows as far as Sweden, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands and the Ukraine.

After releasing the album, Azadoota was selected as a Top Ten finalist in the inaugural World of Music Awards. An international competition with a global panel of judges that reads like a who's who of World Music, the awards were billed as the most culturally diverse, multi-lingual music event in the world.

"Azadoota in Assyrian means Freedom," says Robin, "and our band stands for freedom from cultural and ethnic prejudice. We sincerely thank the Australian people who have welcomed us here as migrants and embraced our music, allowing us to share a piece of our culture with them”.