Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Underground Gay Music Series: XIU XIU



Xiu Xiu is perhaps on of the most respected, successful avant garde indie rock bands of the last decade or so. Since its inception, band leader Jamie Stewart has been the only constant band member. However, that is all that is necessary for Xiu Xiu to exist as it is Jamie's bold and chaotic vision that creates and maintains the Xiu Xiu sound. Currently the band is only comprised of two members, Stewart, and the wonderful Angela Seo. Over the course of Stewart's career, he has released 11 full length albums (soon to be twelve) and countless singles and collaborations. Prolific seems too mild a descriptor.

Though Xiu Xiu is not a gay band per se, Stewart has never shied away from his homosexuality. In 2003, Xiu Xiu released Fag Patrol which was a beautiful acoustic reworking of songs from his previous albums. Currently, Xiu Xiu is following up 2012's critically acclaimed release Always only Polyvinyl Records with Nina, due out Dec 3rd on Graveface Records. Nina is a collection of songs originally recorded by the legendary jazz singer Nina Simone, but Stuart's interpretation is far from straightforward. Once again proving, that Stewart is one of the most unique and original voices in music.




-Photo by Jeremy M Lange

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