“It is literally a choice… to not hide… to choose the more difficult route and challenge the norm.”  – Arooj AftabWelcome to Episode 3 of The Solidarity Index! Join host Zahyr Lauren aka The Artist L. Haz as they reunite with longtime friend Arooj Aftab to talk creative kinship, pursuing dreams, art as self healing, and limitless fashion.Lauded by Time, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, NPR, The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Barack Obama, and others, Arooj’s neo-Sufi blend of jazz, electronica, folk, Hindustani classical, indie pop, and minimalism has been referred to as a "musical revelation,” and made her the first Pakistani artist to win a Grammy and perform at the awards. She has also performed at celebrated venues like Barbican, The Lincoln Center, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, The MET, and The Broad, and festivals like Coachella, Glastonbury, Newport Folk Fest, Pitchfork, Montreal Jazz Fest, and more. She has composed for films and games, worked with renowned global artists, and contributed editing to Emmy winning documentary Armed With Faith. Signed with Verve Records, she is currently touring the world with new album Love In Exile – a collaboration with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily.Keep up with Arooj on Instagram: @aroojaftabIN THIS EPISODE'Man Kunto Maula' off Bird Under Water, 'Mohabbat' off Vulture PrinceWord*Rock*& Sword: A Festival Exploration of Women’s Lives—All Are WelcomeJohn Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ravi Shankar Phil Gomez, Moses Sumney________________________________________thesolidarityindex.comListen to THE SOLIDARITY INDEX on your favorite podcast platform, and keep up with us on Instagram. Sign up for The Solidarity Index newsletter to receive new episodes direct to your inbox.CREDITS THE SOLIDARITY INDEX podcast is produced by State of Mind Media Hosted by Zahyr Lauren aka The Artist L.Haz Created and produced by Jen Bell, Shalva Wise, Stina Hamlin, and Zahyr Lauren Audio editing and production by Stina Hamlin Audio mix by Matt Gundy Logo and identity design by Marwan Kaabour Art direction, website and additional design by Jen Bell at Studio AnalogyTHEME SONGUntil Everybody Is Free by Bella Cuts – featuring the voice of Maya AngelouReleased on Common Groove (2023)All proceeds from download and streaming go to the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation