Xiu Xiu latest album, Ignore Grief, is a record of halves. Angela Seo sings on half of the record. Jamie Stewart sings on half of the record. Half of the songs are experimental industrial. Half of the songs are experimental modern classical. Half of it is real. Half of it is imaginary.
The real songs attempt to turn the worst life has offered to five people the band is connected with into some kind of desperate shape that does something, anything, other than grind and brutalize their hearts and memory within these stunningly horrendous experiences.
The imaginary songs are an expansion and abstract exploration of the early rock and roll "Teen Tragedy" genre as jumping off point to decontaminate the band's own overwhelming emotions in knowing and living with what has happened to these five people.
What none of this record does and despite the oft repeated assertion, what Xiu Xiu has never done, is attempt to superficially shock the listener. Instead, Xiu Xiu has spent twenty years grappling with how to process, to be empathetic towards, to disobey and to reorganize horror; there is no other word for it other than horror.
The motivation for writing Ignore Grief to be about a child who was sold into prostitution by his mother, a junior high student who was kidnapped and murdered, incessantly choosing alcohol and cocaine over one's family, becoming lost in the bleakest, darkest aspects of cultish spirituality and committing suicide as means to escape and protest a life of violent sex work is because the members of Xiu Xiu themselves are deeply shocked.
Old friend and new member David Kendrick (Sparks, Devo, Gleaming Spires) joins Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart through whatever this may be and whatever it may mean and why ever it may have occurred. The point of aesthetic examination is to see if there is any way to come out the other side or if there is even any reason. In either case there may not be but to simply turn away would be yet a further act of destruction.
~~~~~~~~
Since 2002 Xiu Xiu have tried to make music for people opposed to and opposed by the horror and disquiet of life.
They have been called "self flagellating," "harsh," "brutal," "shocking," and "perverse;" but also "genius," "brilliant," "unique," "imaginative," and "luminous."
Xiu Xiu draws upon musical traditions of British post punk, 20th century classical, industrial noise, experimental and traditional percussion musics, 50s rock and roll, field recordings, queer dance pop and kosmische musik. Xiu Xiu has toured relentlessly all over the world. They have shared stages with Sun Ra Arkestra, Zola Jesus, Deerhoof, Liars, Swans, Matmos, Faust, Grouper, Genesis P Orridge, Angelo Badalamenti and thousands, perhaps billions, of other unstoppable musical fairies, dignitaries and saints.
For the past decade they have been more productive than ever. Xiu Xiu released 8 studio albums of original music, collaborated with Merzbow, Eugene Robinson, Alice Bag, Sharon Van Etten, Vaginal Davis, Drab Majesty, Haitian master drummer Daniel Brevil and Lawrence English, and recorded reinterpretations of the music of Nina Simone (NINA), American religious songs (Unclouded Sky), Mozart's The Magic Flute, and the music of Twin Peaks (Plays The Music of Twin Peaks.) They have created museum installations for the Berlin and Venice biennales, LACMA, The Guggenheim, the Getty Museum and The Kitchen.
Both band members, Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart are also independently involved in their solo recordings, music subscriptions and literary and film pursuits. Xiu Xiu regularly contributes music and performance with the Berlin based art collective CHEAP.
In 2021 the band released their 12th record OH NO, an album of duets. They are currently at work on their 13th album.
~~~~~~~~
People tend to either love Xiu Xiu or hate Xiu Xiu. As San Jose natives, the group finds plenty of love here on the Central Coast and a devoted following among DIY music fans worldwide. But between the chaotic, synthed-up art pop of its rotating cast of musicians and frontman Jamie Stewart's flamboyantly depressing lyrics and throaty vibrato, the music admittedly has a bit of a learning curve. But like an old scotch, the band's complex tunes are better savored than swigged, and watching Stewart live is like watching a dapper Steven Morrissey behave like a mud-caked Trent Reznor. - Curtis Cartier
show less
The real songs attempt to turn the worst life has offered to five people the band is connected with into some kind of desperate shape that does something, anything, other than grind and brutalize their hearts and memory within these stunningly horrendous experiences.
The imaginary songs are an expansion and abstract exploration of the early rock and roll "Teen Tragedy" genre as jumping off point to decontaminate the band's own overwhelming emotions in knowing and living with what has happened to these five people.
What none of this record does and despite the oft repeated assertion, what Xiu Xiu has never done, is attempt to superficially shock the listener. Instead, Xiu Xiu has spent twenty years grappling with how to process, to be empathetic towards, to disobey and to reorganize horror; there is no other word for it other than horror.
The motivation for writing Ignore Grief to be about a child who was sold into prostitution by his mother, a junior high student who was kidnapped and murdered, incessantly choosing alcohol and cocaine over one's family, becoming lost in the bleakest, darkest aspects of cultish spirituality and committing suicide as means to escape and protest a life of violent sex work is because the members of Xiu Xiu themselves are deeply shocked.
Old friend and new member David Kendrick (Sparks, Devo, Gleaming Spires) joins Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart through whatever this may be and whatever it may mean and why ever it may have occurred. The point of aesthetic examination is to see if there is any way to come out the other side or if there is even any reason. In either case there may not be but to simply turn away would be yet a further act of destruction.
~~~~~~~~
Since 2002 Xiu Xiu have tried to make music for people opposed to and opposed by the horror and disquiet of life.
They have been called "self flagellating," "harsh," "brutal," "shocking," and "perverse;" but also "genius," "brilliant," "unique," "imaginative," and "luminous."
Xiu Xiu draws upon musical traditions of British post punk, 20th century classical, industrial noise, experimental and traditional percussion musics, 50s rock and roll, field recordings, queer dance pop and kosmische musik. Xiu Xiu has toured relentlessly all over the world. They have shared stages with Sun Ra Arkestra, Zola Jesus, Deerhoof, Liars, Swans, Matmos, Faust, Grouper, Genesis P Orridge, Angelo Badalamenti and thousands, perhaps billions, of other unstoppable musical fairies, dignitaries and saints.
For the past decade they have been more productive than ever. Xiu Xiu released 8 studio albums of original music, collaborated with Merzbow, Eugene Robinson, Alice Bag, Sharon Van Etten, Vaginal Davis, Drab Majesty, Haitian master drummer Daniel Brevil and Lawrence English, and recorded reinterpretations of the music of Nina Simone (NINA), American religious songs (Unclouded Sky), Mozart's The Magic Flute, and the music of Twin Peaks (Plays The Music of Twin Peaks.) They have created museum installations for the Berlin and Venice biennales, LACMA, The Guggenheim, the Getty Museum and The Kitchen.
Both band members, Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart are also independently involved in their solo recordings, music subscriptions and literary and film pursuits. Xiu Xiu regularly contributes music and performance with the Berlin based art collective CHEAP.
In 2021 the band released their 12th record OH NO, an album of duets. They are currently at work on their 13th album.
~~~~~~~~
People tend to either love Xiu Xiu or hate Xiu Xiu. As San Jose natives, the group finds plenty of love here on the Central Coast and a devoted following among DIY music fans worldwide. But between the chaotic, synthed-up art pop of its rotating cast of musicians and frontman Jamie Stewart's flamboyantly depressing lyrics and throaty vibrato, the music admittedly has a bit of a learning curve. But like an old scotch, the band's complex tunes are better savored than swigged, and watching Stewart live is like watching a dapper Steven Morrissey behave like a mud-caked Trent Reznor. - Curtis Cartier
Xiu Xiu latest album, Ignore Grief, is a record of halves. Angela Seo sings on half of the record. Jamie Stewart sings on half of the record. Half of the songs are experimental industrial. Half of the songs are experimental modern classical. Half of it is real. Half of it is imaginary.
The real songs attempt to turn the worst life has offered to five people the band is connected with into some kind of desperate shape that does something, anything, other than grind and brutalize their hearts and memory within these stunningly horrendous experiences.
The imaginary songs are an expansion and abstract exploration of the early rock and roll "Teen Tragedy" genre as jumping off point to decontaminate the band's own overwhelming emotions in knowing and living with what has happened to these five people.
What none of this record does and despite the oft repeated assertion, what Xiu Xiu has never done, is attempt to superficially shock the listener. Instead, Xiu Xiu has spent twenty years grappling with how to process, to be empathetic towards, to disobey and to reorganize horror; there is no other word for it other than horror.
The motivation for writing Ignore Grief to be about a child who was sold into prostitution by his mother, a junior high student who was kidnapped and murdered, incessantly choosing alcohol and cocaine over one's family, becoming lost in the bleakest, darkest aspects of cultish spirituality and committing suicide as means to escape and protest a life of violent sex work is because the members of Xiu Xiu themselves are deeply shocked.
Old friend and new member David Kendrick (Sparks, Devo, Gleaming Spires) joins Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart through whatever this may be and whatever it may mean and why ever it may have occurred. The point of aesthetic examination is to see if there is any way to come out the other side or if there is even any reason. In either case there may not be but to simply turn away would be yet a further act of destruction.
~~~~~~~~
Since 2002 Xiu Xiu have tried to make music for people opposed to and opposed by the horror and disquiet of life.
They have been called "self flagellating," "harsh," "brutal," "shocking," and "perverse;" but also "genius," "brilliant," "unique," "imaginative," and "luminous."
Xiu Xiu draws upon musical traditions of British post punk, 20th century classical, industrial noise, experimental and traditional percussion musics, 50s rock and roll, field recordings, queer dance pop and kosmische musik. Xiu Xiu has toured relentlessly all over the world. They have shared stages with Sun Ra Arkestra, Zola Jesus, Deerhoof, Liars, Swans, Matmos, Faust, Grouper, Genesis P Orridge, Angelo Badalamenti and thousands, perhaps billions, of other unstoppable musical fairies, dignitaries and saints.
For the past decade they have been more productive than ever. Xiu Xiu released 8 studio albums of original music, collaborated with Merzbow, Eugene Robinson, Alice Bag, Sharon Van Etten, Vaginal Davis, Drab Majesty, Haitian master drummer Daniel Brevil and Lawrence English, and recorded reinterpretations of the music of Nina Simone (NINA), American religious songs (Unclouded Sky), Mozart's The Magic Flute, and the music of Twin Peaks (Plays The Music of Twin Peaks.) They have created museum installations for the Berlin and Venice biennales, LACMA, The Guggenheim, the Getty Museum and The Kitchen.
Both band members, Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart are also independently involved in their solo recordings, music subscriptions and literary and film pursuits. Xiu Xiu regularly contributes music and performance with the Berlin based art collective CHEAP.
In 2021 the band released their 12th record OH NO, an album of duets. They are currently at work on their 13th album.
~~~~~~~~
People tend to either love Xiu Xiu or hate Xiu Xiu. As San Jose natives, the group finds plenty of love here on the Central Coast and a devoted following among DIY music fans worldwide. But between the chaotic, synthed-up art pop of its rotating cast of musicians and frontman Jamie Stewart's flamboyantly depressing lyrics and throaty vibrato, the music admittedly has a bit of a learning curve. But like an old scotch, the band's complex tunes are better savored than swigged, and watching Stewart live is like watching a dapper Steven Morrissey behave like a mud-caked Trent Reznor. - Curtis Cartier
read more
The real songs attempt to turn the worst life has offered to five people the band is connected with into some kind of desperate shape that does something, anything, other than grind and brutalize their hearts and memory within these stunningly horrendous experiences.
The imaginary songs are an expansion and abstract exploration of the early rock and roll "Teen Tragedy" genre as jumping off point to decontaminate the band's own overwhelming emotions in knowing and living with what has happened to these five people.
What none of this record does and despite the oft repeated assertion, what Xiu Xiu has never done, is attempt to superficially shock the listener. Instead, Xiu Xiu has spent twenty years grappling with how to process, to be empathetic towards, to disobey and to reorganize horror; there is no other word for it other than horror.
The motivation for writing Ignore Grief to be about a child who was sold into prostitution by his mother, a junior high student who was kidnapped and murdered, incessantly choosing alcohol and cocaine over one's family, becoming lost in the bleakest, darkest aspects of cultish spirituality and committing suicide as means to escape and protest a life of violent sex work is because the members of Xiu Xiu themselves are deeply shocked.
Old friend and new member David Kendrick (Sparks, Devo, Gleaming Spires) joins Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart through whatever this may be and whatever it may mean and why ever it may have occurred. The point of aesthetic examination is to see if there is any way to come out the other side or if there is even any reason. In either case there may not be but to simply turn away would be yet a further act of destruction.
~~~~~~~~
Since 2002 Xiu Xiu have tried to make music for people opposed to and opposed by the horror and disquiet of life.
They have been called "self flagellating," "harsh," "brutal," "shocking," and "perverse;" but also "genius," "brilliant," "unique," "imaginative," and "luminous."
Xiu Xiu draws upon musical traditions of British post punk, 20th century classical, industrial noise, experimental and traditional percussion musics, 50s rock and roll, field recordings, queer dance pop and kosmische musik. Xiu Xiu has toured relentlessly all over the world. They have shared stages with Sun Ra Arkestra, Zola Jesus, Deerhoof, Liars, Swans, Matmos, Faust, Grouper, Genesis P Orridge, Angelo Badalamenti and thousands, perhaps billions, of other unstoppable musical fairies, dignitaries and saints.
For the past decade they have been more productive than ever. Xiu Xiu released 8 studio albums of original music, collaborated with Merzbow, Eugene Robinson, Alice Bag, Sharon Van Etten, Vaginal Davis, Drab Majesty, Haitian master drummer Daniel Brevil and Lawrence English, and recorded reinterpretations of the music of Nina Simone (NINA), American religious songs (Unclouded Sky), Mozart's The Magic Flute, and the music of Twin Peaks (Plays The Music of Twin Peaks.) They have created museum installations for the Berlin and Venice biennales, LACMA, The Guggenheim, the Getty Museum and The Kitchen.
Both band members, Angela Seo and Jamie Stewart are also independently involved in their solo recordings, music subscriptions and literary and film pursuits. Xiu Xiu regularly contributes music and performance with the Berlin based art collective CHEAP.
In 2021 the band released their 12th record OH NO, an album of duets. They are currently at work on their 13th album.
~~~~~~~~
People tend to either love Xiu Xiu or hate Xiu Xiu. As San Jose natives, the group finds plenty of love here on the Central Coast and a devoted following among DIY music fans worldwide. But between the chaotic, synthed-up art pop of its rotating cast of musicians and frontman Jamie Stewart's flamboyantly depressing lyrics and throaty vibrato, the music admittedly has a bit of a learning curve. But like an old scotch, the band's complex tunes are better savored than swigged, and watching Stewart live is like watching a dapper Steven Morrissey behave like a mud-caked Trent Reznor. - Curtis Cartier
show less
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