Capital City Film Festival ends with a bang

Punk takes center stage at official afterparty

Aurat is a Los Angeles-based band led by Pakistani American vocalist Azeka Kamal and her music partner, bassist and producer Gil Talbot. The outfit, which will headline the Capital City Film Festival afterparty April 20, embraces Pakistan’s national language, Urdu, in its lyrics and nontraditional sounds while melding edgier elements of darkwave, post-punk, new wave and industrial music. The result is hauntingly heavy and moody but packed with hypnotic vigor. 

Aurat (OH-RUT), which means “women” in Urdu, emphasizes inclusivity and challenges social norms in its latest EP, “Khaar,” according to Post-Punk.com. The film fest notes the tracks aim to help listeners “sweat off anxiety and devastation,” but Aurat also warns the EP is “full of thorns.” So, beware, and be sure to check out the band’s Michigan debut at the Fledge.

Detroit’s own Day Residue will also perform at the event. The punk band brings big hooks with its death-rock sounds. Just listen to “Piss Paradise” and “Insults for Sale” on the band’s latest release, “Deadly Walk.” Think Clone Defects meets Iggy and the Stooges.