View source for Xiu Xiu

{{Short description|American experimental band}}
{{Other uses}}	
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Xiu Xiu
| image             = XiuXiuLegitBiz.jpg
| caption           = [[Angela Seo]] and [[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]] of Xiu Xiu, 2010
| background        = group_or_band
| origin            = [[San Jose, California]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Experimental rock]]|[[art rock]]|[[noise pop]]|[[electronic music|electronic]]|[[post-punk]]|[[art pop]]}}
| works             = [[Xiu Xiu discography|Discography]]
| years_active      = 2002–present
| label             = {{hlist|[[Polyvinyl Record Co.|Polyvinyl]]|[[Upset the Rhythm]]|[[Bella Union Records|Bella Union]]|[[5 Rue Christine]]|[[Absolutely Kosher]]|Free Porcupine Society|[[Kill Rock Stars]]}}
| spinoffs          = {{hlist|XXL}}
| website           = {{url|xiuxiu.org}}
| current_members   = *[[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]]
*[[Angela Seo]]
*[[David Kendrick]]
| past_members      = * Cory McCulloch
* Lauren Andrews
* Yvonne Chen
* [[Caralee McElroy]]
* [[Ches Smith]]
* Shayna Dunkelman
* (see [[#Band members|Band members section]] for others)
}}

'''Xiu Xiu''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʃ|uː|ʃ|uː}} {{respell|SHOO|shoo}})<ref>{{cite news |last=Moroz |first=Ross |url=http://www.vueweekly.com/article.php?id=2087 |title=Xiu Xiu Ch-Boogie |publisher=Vue Weekly |date=June 16, 2005 |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616192236/http://www.vueweekly.com/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi?id=2087 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> is an American [[experimental rock]] band, formed in 2002 by singer-songwriter [[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]] in [[San Jose, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Janna |date=October 9, 2006 |orig-date=October 9, 2006 |title=Knife Players |url=https://www.seattleweekly.com/music/knife-players/ |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=Seattle Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Nick |date=2019-06-24 |title=Listen to Xiu Xiu's Summer of Pride Playlist for the 'Introverted & Unsocial' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/listen-xiu-xiu-summer-of-pride-playlist-interview-exclusive-8517386/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> Currently, the line-up consists of multi-instrumentalists Stewart (the only constant member since formation), [[Angela Seo]], and percussionist [[David Kendrick]]. The band's name comes from the Chinese film ''[[Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl]]'', which has influenced the sound of their music, according to Stewart.

Xiu Xiu released their first two albums, ''[[Knife Play]]'' (2002) and [[A Promise (Xiu Xiu album)|''A Promise'']] (2003), on [[5 Rue Christine]] to positive critical reception. In-between the two, the EP [[Chapel of the Chimes (EP)|''Chapel of the Chimes'']] was released via [[Absolutely Kosher]]. The compilation album ''[[Fag Patrol]]'' was released shortly after, and their third studio album ''[[Fabulous Muscles]]'' was released in 2004. [[La Forêt (album)|''La Forêt'']] was released in 2005 after [[Caralee McElroy]] joined the group, and [[The Air Force (album)|''The Air Force'']] followed in 2006. 2008's ''[[Women as Lovers (album)|Women as Lovers]]'' was released via the main [[Kill Rock Stars]] label in 2008, and McElroy departed the group shortly afterwards.

''[[Dear God, I Hate Myself]]'' was released in 2010 and was the first Xiu Xiu album to prominently feature longtime member Angela Seo. Following a signing to [[Polyvinyl Record Co.|Polyvinyl]] and [[Bella Union]], Xiu Xiu released [[Always (Xiu Xiu album)|''Always'']] (2012) and [[Angel Guts: Red Classroom (album)|''Angel Guts: Red Classroom'']] (2014). In between those two projects, the group released a Nina Simone tribute project, [[Nina (Xiu Xiu album)|''Nina'']], in late 2013 via [[Graveface Records]].

''[[Plays the Music of Twin Peaks]]'' (2016) followed, an album consisting of covers from the ''[[Twin Peaks]]'' [[Music of Twin Peaks|soundtracks]] originally as a [[Record Store Day]] exclusive release but re-released by Polyvinyl later that year. [[Forget (Xiu Xiu album)|''Forget'']] (2017) and ''[[Girl with Basket of Fruit]]'' (2019) were released afterwards, and Xiu Xiu released their twelfth album [[Oh No (Xiu Xiu album)|''Oh No'']] in 2021. Their thirteenth album, ''[[Ignore Grief]]'', was released in March 2023, and their fourteenth, ''[[13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips]]'', was released in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=XIU XIU – Motorco Music Hall |url=https://motorcomusic.com/tc-speakers/xiu-xiu/ |access-date=2023-01-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2025, the band announced on Instagram that they were removing their music from [[Spotify]] in response to [[Daniel Ek]]'s investment in AI war drones.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molloy |first=Laura |date=2025-07-25 |title=Xiu Xiu to remove music from Spotify due to CEO Daniel Ek’s “investment in AI war drones” |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/xiu-xiu-to-remove-music-from-spotify-due-to-ceo-daniel-eks-investment-in-ai-war-drones-3880645 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== History ==

===2002–2004: Formation and early years===
[[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]] formed Xiu Xiu in 2002 after their previous band, Ten in the Swear Jar, disbanded.<ref name="Metro: No Show Joe Show"/> Stewart and Cory McCulloch continued from the previous group, and were joined by Yvonne Chen and Lauren Andrews.<ref name="Metro: Rubber Soul"/> The band's sound was characterized by its use of indigenous instruments and programmed drums in place of traditional rock instruments: harmonium, mandolin, brass bells, gongs, keyboards, and a cross between a [[guitarrón mexicano]] and a cello for bass, etc.<ref name="Metro: Rubber Soul"/> Stewart states that the group is equally influenced by [[Nina Simone]] and [[Krzysztof Penderecki]], by [[The Birthday Party (band)|The Birthday Party]] and [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark|OMD]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2012/08/xiu-xiu-headphone-highlights|title=Headphone Highlights: Xiu Xiu|date=22 August 2012|website=[[Red Bull Music Academy]]|access-date=14 January 2023}}</ref>

Xiu Xiu would tour their first LP ''[[Knife Play]]'', and its successor EP, ''[[Chapel of the Chimes (EP)|Chapel of the Chimes]]'', in 2002, blending both melody and cacophony with a heavy reliance on [[percussion|percussive instrumentation]] and [[brass instrument]]ation.

Following 2002, the group would shrink in membership as Yvonne Chen left to focus on her vegan boutique ''Otsu'' and self-published magazine ''Zum'', while Cory McCulloch also stopped touring, focusing instead on producing the band's next two LPs. A personal loss would affect Xiu Xiu as well, as Jamie Stewart's father, musician and record producer [[Michael Stewart (musician)|Michael Stewart]] was found dead after an apparent suicide.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://variety.com/2002/scene/people-news/michael-stewart-2-1117876193/ | work=Variety | title=Michael Stewart | date=November 18, 2002 | access-date=April 20, 2020 | archive-date=July 22, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722070757/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117876193.html?categoryid=25&cs=1 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zoilus.com/documents/news/2004/000059.php |title=Xiu Xiu Shoo-Bop |publisher=Zoilus |date=March 11, 2004 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216084649/http://www.zoilus.com/documents/news/2004/000059.php |archive-date=February 16, 2012 }}</ref> Coping with these losses, Stewart would record the group's follow-up to ''Knife Play'', 2003's ''[[A Promise (Xiu Xiu album)|A Promise]]''.

[[File:Xiuxiu1.jpg|thumb|left|Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy performing "Bog People" from [[La Forêt (album)|''La Forêt'']] in July 2005]]

Continuing to focus on the subject matter of Jamie Stewart's personal life – as witnessed previously by ''Knife Play'' – ''A Promise'' acts like a concept record of internal despair. Consisting of ten tracks, the record was oriented towards a more or less [[Acoustic music|acoustic]] presentation, rather than relying on the booming [[Brass instrument|brass]] and [[Percussion instrument|percussion]] which had worked to make ''Knife Play''. However, the record did not veer from the formulated [[programming (music)|programming]] for which Stewart and McCulloch would be praised by fans and critics alike. ''A Promise'' also contains a cover of [[Tracy Chapman]]'s "[[Fast Car]]", a version that has been praised for its stripped sound and Stewart's distressing vocals.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}

During this time, Stewart recorded ''[[Fag Patrol]]'', a collection of previous recorded material as well as covers of songs by [[The Smiths]] and their previous group with McCulloch, [[Ten in the Swear Jar]]. Released as a handmade CD by Rob Fisk's and Kelly Goodefisk's Free Porcupine Society, ''Fag Patrol'' was limited to only a few hundred copies (however saw a CD repress in 2005, and a vinyl reissue by Improved Sequence in 2021).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/xiu-xiu/fag-patrol.htm |title=Xiu Xiu – Fag Patrol – Review |publisher=Stylus Magazine |date=September 1, 2003|access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510000738/http://stylusmagazine.com/reviews/xiu-xiu/fag-patrol.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Xiu Xiu – Fag Patrol |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/226171-Xiu-Xiu-Fag-Patrol |language=en |access-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414030401/https://www.discogs.com/master/226171-Xiu-Xiu-Fag-Patrol |url-status=live }}</ref> In the spring of 2004, Stewart and McCulloch released what is considered by many to be the group's most accessible album, ''[[Fabulous Muscles]]''. More pop-friendly in its sound than previous releases, ''Fabulous Muscles'' boosted Xiu Xiu to new heights in terms of popularity, largely thanks to its single "I Luv the Valley OH!". The tone of the album reflected an "incredibly, incredibly violent, incredibly jarring, and difficult to take" string of events in Stewart's life.<ref name="Pitchfork 2006"/> Stewart described their lyrics as "never fictional".<ref name="Pitchfork 2006"/> They told ''Pitchfork'' that Xiu Xiu songs are based around five topics: family, politics, sex, love and lovelessness, suicide, and how they are connected.<ref name="Pitchfork 2006"/>

With the departure of Lauren Andrews in 2003 – who wished to focus on her academic studies – Stewart was joined on stage by their "long-lost" cousin, [[Caralee McElroy]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://caraleemcelroy.com/Bio.htm |title=Bio |publisher=Caraleemcelroy.com |date=December 27, 1983 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006005401/http://caraleemcelroy.com/Bio.htm |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The two would tour relentlessly throughout that year, releasing not only the group's third LP, but also split recordings with This Song Is a Mess But So Am I and [[Bunkbed]], along with the "Fleshettes" single – which featured a rendition of the Ten in the Swear Jar track "Helsabot" by McElroy.

===2004–2010: ''La Forêt'' to ''Dear God, I Hate Myself''===
Seen as a return to Stewart's more dark and crabby demeanor, Xiu Xiu's fourth album ''[[La Forêt (album)|La Forêt]]'' alluded to a frustration which Stewart had felt throughout the process of recording the 2004 record. Centered around the topic of "horrible times in horrible lives" as well as Stewart's personal frustrations with then-U.S. President [[George W. Bush]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php/25/31/index.php?i=1609 |title=Xiu Xiu : La Foret |publisher=Junkmedia |access-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405184512/http://www.junkmedia.org/index.php/25/31/index.php?i=1609 |archive-date=April 5, 2012 }}</ref> ''La Forêt'' is characterized by an altogether different sound – layered by [[mandolin]], [[Pump organ|harmonium]], [[clarinet]], cello, [[autoharp]], and [[tuba]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_M2IEAAAAMBAJ |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_M2IEAAAAMBAJ/page/n85 72] |quote=xiu xiu + la foret + harmonium. |title=Out |via=[[Internet Archive]] |date=March 2006 |publisher=Here |access-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref> In addition to ''La Forêt'', Xiu Xiu would join Italian experimental group Larsen in forming XXL, which released its first LP, ''[[¡Ciaütistico!]]'', in 2005, followed later by its successor ''[[¿Spicchiology?]]'', in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://obscuresound.com/?p=1066 |title=Xiu Xiu Larsen Returns to Italy to Record Â¿Spicchiology? |publisher=Obscure Sound |date=May 22, 2007 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=January 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116100431/http://obscuresound.com/?p=1066 |url-status=live }}</ref> Stewart also issued formative splits throughout 2005, working with artists such as [[The Paper Chase (band)|The Paper Chase]], [[Kill Me Tomorrow]], and [[Devendra Banhart]].

[[File:Xiu xiu 20101107-001.jpg|thumb|275px|right|Jamie Stewart at a performance in Stockholm, Sweden, November 2010]]
In 2006, Stewart would break from tradition by ending their professional relationship with McCulloch. They then started recording with San Francisco-based band [[Deerhoof]]'s drummer [[Greg Saunier]] as producer for Xiu Xiu's fifth LP entitled ''[[The Air Force]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mesalove.wordpress.com/2006/07/17/xiu-xiu-jamie-stewart/ |title=Xiu Xiu – Jamie Stewart « Mesa Love |publisher=Mesalove.wordpress.com |date=July 17, 2006 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309030037/http://mesalove.wordpress.com/2006/07/17/xiu-xiu-jamie-stewart/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Saunier, who had previously worked with Stewart on ''Knife Play'', created for the record a greater [[wall of sound]] – a stark contrast to that of McCulloch's discordant attitude towards production.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yaledailynews.com/scene/music/2006/09/22/arent-xiu-xiu-into-sm/ |title=Aren't Xiu (Xiu) into S&M? |publisher=Yale Daily News |date=September 22, 2006 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616192237/https://yaledailynews.com/scene/music/2006/09/22/arent-xiu-xiu-into-sm/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Air Force'' would be supported throughout 2006 by a three piece ensemble, as Stewart and McElroy were joined by drummer/percussionist Ches Smith, who himself had previously worked with the group on ''Knife Play''. Produced by Greg Saunier, Stewart said that the album is about "making other people feel bad" instead of feeling bad oneself and the year it was released was "one of the first not dominated by personal tragedies"<ref name="Pitchfork 2006"/> Its major themes are "guilt and sex as opposed to sorrow and sex".<ref name="Pitchfork 2006"/> Stewart considered it their best and most consciously pop album yet. They said that the band was obsessed with Weezer's ''[[Weezer (1994 album)|Blue Album]]'' and The Smiths's ''[[The Queen Is Dead]]'' while on tour, though the album does not reflect those albums particularly.<ref name="Pitchfork 2006"/> ''The Air Force'' also contained the band's first album-based songs without vocals by Stewart – with McElroy singing "Hello From Eau Claire", as well as the instrumental piece "Saint Pedro Glue Stick".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyfa.org/level3.asp?id=451&fid=6&sid=17 |title=New York Foundation for the Arts |publisher=NYFA |access-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305235335/http://www.nyfa.org/level3.asp?id=451&fid=6&sid=17 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 }}</ref>

A third EP – ''[[Tu Mi Piaci]]'' ("I like you") – of songs originally recorded by acts such as [[Bauhaus (band)|Bauhaus]], [[Nedelle]], [[Big Star]], [[The Pussycat Dolls]], and [[Nina Simone]] was released in 2006, along with a collaboration with ambient artist [[Grouper (band)|Grouper]], entitled ''Creepshow''. Shortly thereafter, Xiu Xiu would record their sixth album, 2008's ''[[Women as Lovers (album)|Women as Lovers]]''. Their longest LP to date, ''Women as Lovers'' attempts to hone the synth-pop influences of the group's sound. Stewart's and McElroy's duet with Michael Gira of [[Swans (band)|Swans]] on a cover of [[David Bowie]] and [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s "Under Pressure" is representative of this. Touring that year alongside Xiu Xiu aluminist [[Devra Hoff]] on bass, the band's second four-piece incarnation would not last long, as Hoff abruptly left the group soon after touring began.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://agitreader.com/features/xiu_xiu-9.01.html |title=The Agit Reader • Feature: Xiu Xiu |publisher=Agitreader.com |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=July 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701225203/http://www.agitreader.com/features/xiu_xiu-9.01.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2009, it was revealed that Caralee McElroy would no longer work with Xiu Xiu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/35351-caralee-mcelroy-leaves-xiu-xiu/ |title=Caralee McElroy Leaves Xiu Xiu &#124; News |publisher=Pitchfork |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604072043/http://pitchfork.com/news/35351-caralee-mcelroy-leaves-xiu-xiu/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Josiah |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/caralee_mcelroy_leaves_xiu_xiu_jamie_stewart_writes_haikus |title=Caralee McElroy Leaves Xiu Xiu, Jamie Stewart Writes Haikus • News • |publisher=Exclaim.ca |date=May 20, 2009 |access-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref> Speculations ran as to what reasons McElroy had for leaving the group after five years of recording and touring, though no explanation was given other than her subsequent membership in Manhattan-based [[darkwave]] group [[Cold Cave]], which she soon after departed from in 2010. With the vacancies left by both Hoff and McElroy, Stewart and Smith recruited [[Angela Seo]] in late 2009. Thereafter, the group would begin work on its seventh LP ''[[Dear God, I Hate Myself]]'', recording in both Oakland, California as well as Durham, North Carolina. Once again shifting motifs, Xiu Xiu would this time choose to experiment with video game-based programming, using the [[Nintendo DS]] to write many of the songs which appear on their 2010 release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://popwreckoning.com/2010/05/14/interview-with-jamie-stewart-of-xiu-xiu/ |title=Interview with: Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu |publisher=popwreckoning |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309031315/http://popwreckoning.com/2010/05/14/interview-with-jamie-stewart-of-xiu-xiu/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The music video for the song "Dear God, I Hate Myself" received attention online in 2010. The video consists of Seo inducing vomiting over the course of the three-minute song, culminating with her vomiting on Stewart, who has been eating a chocolate bar during the entire video.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prefixmag.com/media/xiu-xiu/dear-god-i-hate-myself-video-nsfw/37048/ |title=Xiu Xiu: 'Dear God I Hate Myself' (Video) (NSFW) &#124; Prefix |publisher=Prefixmag.com |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=September 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921000739/http://www.prefixmag.com/media/xiu-xiu/dear-god-i-hate-myself-video-nsfw/37048/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Seo and Stewart have defended the video online and in interviews, stating that the video illustrates the subject of the song in an extreme and visceral fashion.{{citation needed|date=December 2011}}

===2010–2017: ''Always'' to ''FORGET''===
{{Multiple image
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In 2010, Xiu Xiu left [[Kill Rock Stars]] and signed with [[Bella Union]] and [[Polyvinyl Record Co.|Polyvinyl]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.loudandquiet.com/2011/12/xiu-xiu-sign-to-bella-union/ |title=XIU XIU SIGN TO BELLA UNION « New music, features, reviews, news and free mp3s – |publisher=Loudandquiet.com |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107061852/http://www.loudandquiet.com/2011/12/xiu-xiu-sign-to-bella-union/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/blog/index.php?id=962 |title=Polyvinyl Record Co. – Blog |publisher=Polyvinylrecords.com |access-date=July 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107052439/http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/blog/index.php?id=962 |archive-date=January 7, 2014 }}</ref> Xiu Xiu released ''[[Always (Xiu Xiu album)|Always]]'' on these new labels in 2012. It was called "magnificent" and given 5 stars by The Independent<ref>{{cite news |author=Simon Price |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-xiu-xiu-always-bella-union-7441153.html?origin=internalSearch/ |title=Album: Xiu Xiu, Always (Bella Union) – Reviews – Music |work=The Independent |date=February 26, 2012 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305220502/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-xiu-xiu-always-bella-union-7441153.html?origin=internalSearch%2F |url-status=live }}</ref> and given a 9/10 by Drowned in Sound.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lukowska |first=Len |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16834/reviews/4144534?search |title=Xiu Xiu – Always / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound |publisher=Drownedinsound.com |date=February 22, 2012 |access-date=July 22, 2012 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075436/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16834/reviews/4144534?search |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In April 2013, Stewart and Eugene Robinson of [[Oxbow (band)|Oxbow]] released the collaborative album ''Xiu Xiu & Eugene S. Robinson Present: Sal Mineo'' on [[Important Records]] after having toured Europe together in February to promote the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.importantrecords.com/imprec/imprec381 |title=IMPREC381 – Important Records |publisher=importantrecords.com |access-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203024539/http://www.importantrecords.com/imprec/imprec381 |url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xiuxiu.org/2013/01/14/eugene-robinsonoxbow-jamie-stewartxiu-xiu-have-a-band-together-and-it-shall-be-known-as-sal-mineo/ |title=Eugene Robinson/Oxbow + Jamie Stewart/Xiu Xiu have a band together and it shall be known as SAL MINEO |publisher=Xiu Xiu |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=April 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130170540/http://xiuxiu.org/2013/01/14/eugene-robinsonoxbow-jamie-stewartxiu-xiu-have-a-band-together-and-it-shall-be-known-as-sal-mineo/ |archive-date=January 30, 2013 }}</ref>

In an email sent to fans on January 28, 2013, Xiu Xiu announced that "Ches Smith, [[Mary Halvorson]], [[Tim Berne]], [[Tony Malaby]], [[Andrea Parkins]] and Jamie Stewart just finished recording an album in NYC of [[free jazz]] and [[art song]] versions of all [[Nina Simone]] songs." The album, ''[[Nina (Xiu Xiu album)|Nina]]'', was released on [[Graveface Records]] on December 3, 2013.

In the same email, Xiu Xiu also announced that a new Xiu Xiu album was being made. Xiu Xiu said that it is possible that it will be named ''[[Angel Guts: Red Classroom (album)|Angel Guts: Red Classroom]]'' and that "it will be a mean, tight hearted, blackness of [[Einstürzende Neubauten|Neubauten]] vs [[Suicide (band)|Suicide]] vs [[Nico]]." Angel Guts: Red Classroom was released February 2014. It was given an 8 out of 10 by [[Drowned in Sound]] and [[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]].<ref name="DiS">{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18067/reviews/4147379|title=Xiu Xiu – Angel Guts|publisher=Drownedinsound.com|last=Zevolli|first=Giuseppe|date=February 3, 2014|access-date=March 28, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222144144/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/18067/reviews/4147379|url-status=dead}}</ref> David Hartley of the band [[The War on Drugs (band)|War on Drugs]] praised the album, calling it a "stereoscopic assault."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.thetalkhouse.com/talks/david-hartley-talks-xiu-xius-angel-guts-red-classroom/ |title=David Hartley (the War on Drugs) Talks Xiu Xiu's Angel Guts: Red Classroom |work=The Talkhouse |date=February 3, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180551/http://music.thetalkhouse.com/talks/david-hartley-talks-xiu-xius-angel-guts-red-classroom/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In June 2015, Xiu Xiu started a new [[Bandcamp]] page under the title "[https://xiuxiu69.bandcamp.com xiuxiu69]". Since its creation, they have self-described the page as an "[[ephemera]] shoppe specializing in exclusive, obscure, out of print, experimental & overlooked zonk."<ref>{{Cite web |title=XIU XIU |url=https://xiuxiu69.bandcamp.com/ |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=XIU XIU |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509103932/https://xiuxiu69.bandcamp.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The page is used to host projects such as non-studio Xiu Xiu releases, solo Jamie Stewart albums, [[Ambient music|ambient]] projects, out of print Xiu Xiu collaborations and recordings from Jamie Stewart's former band [[Ten in the swear jar|Ten In The Swear Jar]]. Xiuxiu69 also hosts sales of physical music and merchandise, including LPs of Xiu Xiu material and material loosely related to Xiu Xiu such as Jamie Stewart and [[Lawrence English]]'s band HEXA.

On November 16, 2016, the band announced their next album ''[[Forget (Xiu Xiu album)|FORGET]]'', set for release on February 24, 2017. The announcement was accompanied with lead single "Wondering", signifying a return to more pop-oriented songwriting.<ref name="Pitchfork">{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/69849-xiu-xiu-announce-new-album-forget-share-new-track-wondering-listen/|title=Xiu Xiu Announce New Album FORGET, Share New Track "Wondering": Listen|publisher=Pitchfork Media|last=Evan|first=Minsker|date=November 16, 2016|access-date=November 16, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117063952/http://pitchfork.com/news/69849-xiu-xiu-announce-new-album-forget-share-new-track-wondering-listen/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2017–2024: ''Girl with Basket of Fruit'' to ''13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips'' ===
Xiu Xiu performed a long piece "Deforms the Unborn" based on the demonic possession of children at the Guggenheim Museum in May 2018. The band released their eleventh new album titled ''[[Girl with Basket of Fruit]]'' on February 8, 2019, via Polyvinyl.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/girl-with-basket-of-fruit/1445070185|title=Girl with Basket of Fruit by Xiu Xiu|access-date=March 10, 2019|website=[[iTunes]]|archive-date=March 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328191756/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/girl-with-basket-of-fruit/1445070185|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2020, Xiu Xiu started a Bandcamp subscription service titled "XIU MUTHA FUCKIN XIU". At its basic tier, it grants access to a monthly "XIU MUTHA FUCKIN XIU" digital audio package, consisting of a [[Xiu Xiu discography#Xiu Mutha Fuckin Xiu subscription covers|new fully produced cover]] (notable examples being Xiu Xiu renditions of "[[Dancing On My Own]]", "[[In the garage|In The Garage]]" and "[[Dancing with a Stranger]]"), an exclusive solo Xiu Xiu song, and an edition of the 12 chapter 120 part experimental piece "Lamentation". So far, two chapters of "Lamentation" have been revealed, chapter one being Spider Lamentation and chapter two being Woodpecker Lamentation. Tier two grants all the above and "30 to 50 license free [[Sampling (music)|samples]], full [[Stem mixing and mastering|stems]] of one Xiu Xiu song for non commercial exploration". Tier three includes the benefits from tiers one and two and a unique hand-made postcard illustrated by Angela Seo or Jamie Stewart with a [[haiku]] written to you and posted on the Xiuxiu69 Bandcamp page.

Their twelfth album, ''[[Oh No (Xiu Xiu album)|Oh No]]'', was released on March 26, 2021. Its lead single, "A Bottle of Rum" featuring [[Grouper (musician)|Liz Harris]], was released along with the album's announcement on January 27, 2021. Its second single, "Rumpus Room" featuring [[Liars (band)|Liars]], was released on March 4, 2021. "Maybae Baeby", the first single from their thirteenth studio album ''[[Ignore Grief]]'', was released on January 12, 2023. The album features new member [[David Kendrick]], formerly of [[Sparks (band)|Sparks]] and [[Devo]].

Their fourteenth album, ''[[13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/xiu-xiu-announce-tour-and-new-album-share-nsfw-video-for-new-song-watch/|title=Xiu Xiu Announce Tour and New Album, Share NSFW Video for New Song: Watch|website=pitchfork.com|date=June 25, 2024 }}</ref> was announced on June 25th, 2024 and released on September 27th.

== Band members ==
'''Current members'''
* [[Jamie Stewart (American musician)|Jamie Stewart]] – production, vocals, percussion, guitar, synthesizers, keyboards, piano, programming, bass, organ, [[harmonium]], viola (2002–present)
* [[Angela Seo]] – production, vocals, percussion, piano, synthesizers, programming, organ, harmonium (2009–present)
* [[David Kendrick]] – production, drums, percussion (2022–present)

'''Former members'''
* Cory McCulloch – production, bass guitar, mandolin, synthesizers (2002–2009)
* Lauren Andrews – synthesizers, keyboards, piano, percussion (2002–2004)
* Yvonne Chen – synthesizers, percussion, trumpet (2002–2003)
* [[Caralee McElroy]] – production, synthesizers, piano, harmonium, percussion, flute, vocals (2004–2009)
* [[Ches Smith]] – drums, percussion, synthesizers, vocals (2006–2018)
* [[Devra Hoff]] – double bass, bass guitar, acoustic bass (2008)
* [[Parenthetical Girls|Zac Pennington]] – multi-instrumentalist (2011)
* Marc Riordan – percussion (2012)
* Shayna Dunkelman – drums, vibraphone, synthesizers, percussion (2012–2017)
* [[Thor Harris]] – drums, percussion (2019)
* [[Christopher Pravdica]] – bass (2019)
===Timeline===
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== Musical style and influences ==
The band's name comes from the film ''[[Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl]]''. The band found its first tracks to match the "rotten realness" spirit of the film, "that sometimes life turns out with a worst possible case scenario".<ref name="Pitchfork 2003" /> Stewart said Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car", which Xiu Xiu covered on ''A Promise'', had a similar theme.<ref name="Pitchfork 2003" />

''Metro Silicon Valley''{{'}}s David Espinoza likened Stewart to an explorer charting new territories of sound in 2001 as he started Xiu Xiu.<ref name="Metro: Rubber Soul" /> He compared Stewart's voice to a combination of [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]]'s fragility and ''[[The Downward Spiral]]''-era [[Trent Reznor]]'s anger, and noted Stewart's deliberate and considered choices towards developing the band's tone in light of the disparate wackiness of the individual instruments.<ref name="Metro: Rubber Soul" />

Brandon Stosuy of ''Pitchfork'' noted a "continual poetic and romantic beauty" behind "the violence" in Stewart's lyrics.<ref name="Pitchfork 2006" /> He wrote that the band inspired fandom of the kind where teenage girls ask for Stewart's autograph.<ref name="Pitchfork 2006" />

Stewart has added that the band was a product of San Jose pirate radio stations that played [[house music|house]], [[hi-NRG]], [[freestyle music|freestyle]], and [[techno]], which Stewart considered unpretentious, plain, heartbroken, clear, and based around dancing away sadness. They said they wrote their first Xiu Xiu song after leaving a San Jose dance club alone on a Christmas night: "Xiu Xiu came from feeling stupid and lonely and then wanting to dance it away, but having the club and its music only magnify that stupid and lonely feeling."<ref name="Pitchfork 2006" /> At the time of ''A Promise'', Stewart said that they were influenced by [[gamelan]] and Japanese and Korean folk music, and had been listening to contemporary classical and "gay dance music".<ref name="Pitchfork 2003" />

=== Live performances ===
In 2003, Stewart told Pitchfork that the band's live shows were starkly different from the recorded material. They said this was largely due to the technical limitations of being able to reproduce the way it was recorded. In their live shows, the band increased the intensity of their loud rock parts, though Stewart reported their set to be half "louder, more dance-y stuff" and half "really quiet stuff".<ref name="Pitchfork 2003" /> They said the latter was sometimes at odds with the type of venues they played.<ref name="Pitchfork 2003" />

==Discography==
{{main|Xiu Xiu discography}}'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Knife Play]]'' (2002)
* ''[[A Promise (Xiu Xiu album)|A Promise]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Fabulous Muscles]]'' (2004)
* ''[[La Forêt (album)|La Forêt]]'' (2005)
* ''[[The Air Force]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Women as Lovers (album)|Women as Lovers]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Dear God, I Hate Myself]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Always (Xiu Xiu album)|Always]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Angel Guts: Red Classroom (album)|Angel Guts: Red Classroom]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Forget (Xiu Xiu album)|Forget]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Girl with Basket of Fruit]]'' (2019)
* ''[[Oh No (Xiu Xiu album)|Oh No]]'' (2021)
* ''[[Ignore Grief]]'' (2023)
* ''[[13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips]]'' (2024)

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="Metro: No Show Joe Show">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/09.06.00/sightssounds-0036.html |access-date=October 26, 2013 |title=No Show Joe Show: RedHeaded Stepchild makes a Front Street Pub crowd wait |last1=Espinoza |first1=David |date=September 6, 2000 |work=[[Metro Silicon Valley]] |publisher=[[Metro Newspapers]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714193743/http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/09.06.00/sightssounds-0036.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Metro: Rubber Soul">{{cite web |url=http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/11.07.01/sights-sounds-0145.html |access-date=October 26, 2013 |title=Rubber Soul: Los Dryheavers get into the protection racket |last1=Espinoza |first1=David |date=November 7, 2001 |work=[[Metro Silicon Valley]] |publisher=[[Metro Newspapers]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164303/http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/11.07.01/sights-sounds-0145.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Pitchfork 2003">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/5905-xiu-xiu/ |access-date=July 13, 2014 |title=Xiu Xiu |last1=LeMay |first1=Matt |date=April 1, 2003 |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703194801/http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/5905-xiu-xiu/ |archive-date=July 3, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Pitchfork 2006">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6305-xiu-xiu/ |access-date=July 13, 2014 |title=Xiu Xiu |last1=Stosuy |first1=Brandon |date=April 9, 2006 |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723092041/http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6305-xiu-xiu/ |archive-date=July 23, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

}}

{{commons category|Xiu Xiu}}
{{commons category|Jamie Stewart (musician)|Jamie Stewart}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.xiuxiu.org/}}
{{Xiu Xiu}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Xiu Xiu}}
[[Category:2002 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Absolutely Kosher Records artists]]
[[Category:American art rock groups]]
[[Category:American experimental rock groups]]
[[Category:American synth-pop groups]]
[[Category:Bella Union artists]]
[[Category:Indie rock musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Kill Rock Stars artists]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-themed musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2002]]
[[Category:Musical groups from San Jose, California]]