Maryos Syawish – Qurmami

Maryos Syawish (b. 1993, Iraq) is a Chaldean Iraqi artist and musician based in Naarm/Melbourne. Best known as one half of Sleep D and Butter Sessions Records, his Research Records debut Qurmami (“my roots”) explores identity, memory and his Chaldean Assyrian heritage.

Developed over eight years, the 42-minute album weaves field recordings from a pivotal trip to Iraq into lush ambient electronics, gradually shifting towards dub-inflected rhythms and traditional Northern Iraqi influences. Featuring contributions from Khaled Kurbeh and cellist Abby Sundborn, with artwork by Syawish’s cousin Sarah Ujmaia, Qurmami is an evocative audio collage connecting personal history, cultural legacy and place.