Draft:Azwel

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Azwel2 (talk) 14:07, 5 October 2026 (UTC)

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Azwel is the musical project of American songwriter, musician and producer Jason Perrillo, based in New York. Perrillo began releasing music under the Azwel name in the early 2000s.

Perrillo released his debut album, Diversions, in 2003. The album was reviewed in Newsday on May 6, 2004, by music critic Rafer Guzman, who described it as “pretty, sad, evocative,” praising its “gorgeous harmonies, resonant piano lines and romantic strings.” He also noted the album’s stylistic range, from “off-kilter cabaret” to “dinner jazz” to “new-wave keyboards.” In a separate year-end feature, Newsday included Azwel among its top local acts of 2004, ranking it sixth.

In a 2014 interview for Musician’s Friend about home recording, Perrillo discussed his experience recording and producing albums independently, including the importance of patience and allowing time for mixes to settle.

The independent online magazine Entropy reviewed Perrillo’s 2020 album Halcyon, describing its blend of pop, jazz and film-score influences and noting similarities to Stereolab and Broadcast.

Live performances

In March 2023, The Suffolk Times profiled Perrillo ahead of an Azwel performance at The Suffolk in Riverhead, discussing his recording process, musical development and songwriting.

Azwel performed at the Great South Bay Music Festival in Patchogue, New York, on July 27, 2025, alongside performers including Men at Work, Naked Eyes, Ambrosia and Yacht Rock Revue. As part of a Great South Bay Festival preview, WUSB (FM) played Azwel’s Happy Mistakes on its ''Unclassic Rock'' show.

Members

Guitarist Joe Lorge, a member of Azwel, has worked as a commentator on VH1 programs including I Love the 80s 3-D, I Love the 70s Volume 2 and I Love Toys.

Drummer John Zaletel, a member of Azwel, was previously a member of the industrial metal band Klank.

Collaborations

Perrillo has also worked as a session musician with American musician Paul Collins (musician), founder of The Beat (American band) and former member of The Nerves. Perrillo performed lead guitar, keyboards and background vocals on Collins’ 2018 album Out of My Head.

Perrillo subsequently contributed keyboards to Collins’ 2024 album Stand Back and Take a Good Look.

Film

Perrillo’s songs In Two and Outside of Town appear in the 2010 film Let the Game Begin.

Music videos

Azwel’s music video for Standing Ovation featured actress and director Lila Avilés and was directed by Manuel Díaz.

Azwel’s music video for At the End of the Day was illustrated and directed by Tedd Hazard and was selected for the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival in 2018. Perrillo’s official biography states that the video also received a Spotlight Award at the Elevation Indie Film Awards in 2018.

Discography

Studio albums

Azwel has released 18 studio albums.

• Diversions (2003)
• Hap End Void (2003)
• Aqua Vitae (2004)
• Nightscapes (2005)
• Primæval (2007)
• Hidden in Blue (2008)
• Leaving the Fold (2009)
• Azwel (2010)
• The Great American Tour (2011)
• Fact and Fantasy (2013)
• From Now On (2014)
• The Elastic Journey (2017)
• Phantasmagoria (2018)
• Mind Caliber (2019)
• Halcyon (2020)
• XV (2021)
• The Drifting Game (2023)
• Lives in Motion (2026)