Angela Seo

Last updated

Angela Seo
Xiu-xiu angela-seo DSC07560 crop.jpg
Seo playing with Xiu Xiu in Denmark 2017
Born
Hyunhye Seo
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater Duke University School of Law University of California, Berkeley
OccupationMusician
Years active2006–present
Organization Mark Ridley-Thomas administration
Known forMember of Xiu Xiu
TitleDeputy for Public Health
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • synthesizers
  • cymbals
  • organ
  • percussion
Years active2006–present
Labels
Website angelaseo.com

Hyunhye Seo, professionally known as Angela Seo, is an American multi-instrumentalist and vocalist best known for her role in American experimental band Xiu Xiu. Seo joined Xiu Xiu in 2009, and has contributed to every studio project by the band since The Air Force (which she wrote lyrics for). The first album contributed to by Seo as a member of Xiu Xiu was 2010's Dear God, I Hate Myself . [1] Seo has also played in the bands Deal$ and XXL (Xiu Xiu Larsen), amongst playing on songs by Holy Hum and Blind Cave Salamander.

Contents

Personal life

Seo grew up in San Fernando Valley, United States in the same neighborhood as Xiu Xiu frontperson and lead vocalist Jamie Stewart. Both of Seo's parents were immigrants, and she recalls both of them as sharing four to six jobs at one point in time. Seo also recalls that her parents loved music and literature, but they had the "Korean idea" of education and a hard-work ethic. [2] Seo also mentions that her grandfather was a ship captain who told her stories about wherever he traveled. [2]

During the time period in which Seo and Stewart lived in Durham, North Carolina, Seo attended the Duke University School of Law. [3] Stewart mentions that Xiu Xiu had moved to Durham to support Seo's post-graduate studies. Stewart regretted moving to Durham and grew to despise it, as did Seo. [4] Stewart has frequently called Seo their "best friend". [4]

In addition to being a member of Xiu Xiu, Seo was the Deputy for Public Health of the Los Angeles County Office of Cannabis Management. She worked under the Mark Ridley-Thomas administration. [5] [6]

Xiu Xiu

In 2006, Seo contributed lyrics to "Bishop, CA" and "Wig Master" off of Xiu Xiu's fifth album The Air Force.[ citation needed ] Also in 2006, Seo took the cover photograph for Tu Mi Piaci. In 2008, Seo contributed lyrics to the song "You Are Pregnant You, You Are Dead" on Xiu Xiu's sixth album Women as Lovers , also under her birthname.[ citation needed ]

In May 2009, Caralee McElroy announced her permanent departure from Xiu Xiu, though no reason was given apart from her membership in Manhattan-based darkwave band Cold Cave. [7] [8] With McElroy's absence and the absence of Xiu Xiu double bassist Devin Hoff who left the year prior, Jamie Stewart and Ches Smith recruited Seo to join Xiu Xiu in late 2009. After, Xiu Xiu began to work on Dear God, I Hate Myself , recording in Durham and Oakland, California. [9] Seo inspired Stewart to shift Xiu Xiu's motifs again, and Dear God, I Hate Myself included elements of chiptune and video game-based programming, Xiu Xiu using the KORG DS-10 for the Nintendo DS to write many of the songs on the album. [10]

The music video for the title track off of 2010's Dear God, I Hate Myself received polarizing response online in 2010. The video consists of Seo forcing her fingers down her throat, vomiting throughout the entire video. This music video eventually climaxes as she vomits on Stewart, who has been eating a large Escazu chocolate bar and dancing throughout the entire video. Seo and Stewart have defended the video, stating that the video illustrates the eating disorder subject of the song in an extreme fashion. [4]

Seo's vocals debuted on 2012's Always, with her vocals being featured prominently on "Honey Suckle". [11] She continued to contribute to Angel Guts: Red Classroom and played a series of live shows with Stewart and Shayna Dunkelman covering the soundtrack from Twin Peaks . These covers were later rerecorded into a Record Store Day release Plays The Music Of Twin Peaks.

Seo starred in the music video for the title track of 2017's Forget. In the music video, she portrays a stage musician playing the keyboard as a heckler yells sarcastic comments and throws banana peels at her. [12] Seo also directed the music video for "Wondering". [13] She directed the music videos for "Scisssssssors", "Pumpkin Attack On Mommy and Daddy" and "It Comes Out As A Joke" for 2019's Girl with Basket of Fruit . [14] [15] [16] Seo also contributes vocals on the album, and co-produced the entire album alongside Greg Saunier of Deerhoof. [17]

Seo contributes vocals to "Fuzz Gong Fight" from 2021's Oh No , and directed and starred in the music videos for "A Bottle Of Rum", "Rumpus Room" and "Sad Mezcalita". [18] [19] [20]

Other works

Seo's debut (and only) studio album is Strands, a two-sided album released on cassette and digitally on Lawrence English's Room40 record label on June 11, 2021. Side one of Strands is dark ambient music, while side two is Seo performing unaccompanied piano. [21] [22] Strands was recorded by Jamie Stewart at Xiu Xiu's NURSE home studio and produced by Lawrence English. [22]

Discography

Solo

As part of Xiu Xiu

As part of XXL (Xiu Xiu Larsen)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xiu Xiu</span> American experimental band

Xiu Xiu is an American experimental rock band, formed in 2002 by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart in San Jose, California. Currently, the line-up consists of multi-instrumentalists Stewart, Angela Seo, and percussionist David Kendrick. The band's name comes from the film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl, which has influenced the sound of their music, according to Stewart.

<i>Fabulous Muscles</i> 2004 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Fabulous Muscles is the third album by American experimental band Xiu Xiu, released on February 17, 2004 on 5 Rue Christine. The album marked a change in the band's sound, described as a depressive mix between experimental rock and synth-pop. It is considered to be more accessible than Xiu Xiu's previous two studio albums, A Promise and Knife Play. Fabulous Muscles has received mostly positive reviews from critics.

<i>La Forêt</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Xiu Xiu

La Forêt is the fourth studio album by Xiu Xiu, released on July 12, 2005 on 5 Rue Christine. The album features John Dieterich of Deerhoof and Devin Hoff as contributors.

<i>Accordion Solo!</i> 2005 studio album by Ten in the Swear Jar

Accordion Solo! is a 2005 album by Ten in the Swear Jar. It is the band's third release under that name, a complete discography derived from all their previous releases. It is released by Asian Man Records who described it as "A collection of live recordings, "field recordings" and studio tracks with complex lyrics, beautiful melodies, and diverse instrumentation." The live tracks are acknowledged to be of imperfect quality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caralee McElroy</span> American musician

Caralee McElroy is a Brooklyn-based American multi-instrumentalist who has played in the bands Xiu Xiu, XXL, and Cold Cave.

<i>The Air Force</i> (album) 2006 studio album by Xiu Xiu

The Air Force is the fifth album by Xiu Xiu. It was released on September 12, 2006, and is produced by Greg Saunier of Deerhoof, who also performs on the album with band members Caralee McElroy and Jamie Stewart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Garneau</span> American singer-songwriter and musician (born 1982)

Chris Garneau is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Since releasing his debut album, Music for Tourists (2006), Garneau has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, and Asia.

<i>¡Ciaütistico!</i> 2005 studio album by XXL

¡Ciaütistico! is the debut album from XXL, the collaborative effort of Italian experimental rock band Larsen and American band Xiu Xiu. It was recorded at Larsen's studio in Turin, Italy. Though largely instrumental, the album features vocals from Caralee McElroy on "Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw Paw" and "Minne Mouseistic" and Jamie Stewart on "(Pokey I'm Your) Gnocchi" and "Prince Charming", a cover of the 1981 single by Adam and the Ants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence English</span> Australian composer, artist, and curator

Lawrence English is an Australian composer, artist, and curator from Brisbane. His work is broadly concerned with the politics of perception, specifically he is interested in the nature of listening, and sounds' capability to occupy the body. He is the director of the imprint Room40, started in 2000. He and Jamie Stewart from Xiu Xiu have an ongoing collaboration named Hexa.

Jason LaRay Keener is an American filmmaker from Alabama. He is best known for his stream-of-conscious, non-linear shorts. He is related to serial killer Nannie Doss. In 2006, he founded the Jacksonville State University Film Society. In 2012, he married frequent collaborator Diane Rose.

<i>Dear God, I Hate Myself</i> 2010 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Dear God, I Hate Myself is the seventh studio album by American indie rock band Xiu Xiu released on February 23, 2010. This is their first album since the departure of Caralee McElroy. The album features new member Angela Seo on piano, synthesizer and drum programming, with production by band leader Jamie Stewart and Deerhoof's Greg Saunier. This album marked a departure from the more analogue styles of Women as Lovers and The Air Force, and shifted stylistic choices to a more chiptune style, utilizing the Nintendo DS' KORG DS-10 software to program drum and synthesizer tracks.

<i>Always</i> (Xiu Xiu album) 2012 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Always is the eighth studio album by Xiu Xiu, released on February 28, 2012.

I Hate Myself may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie McDell</span> Musical artist

Jamie McDell is a New Zealand musician and singer-songwriter. She was discovered at the age of 16 by EMI Music New Zealand after sending them a demo tape of her acoustic original music. Prior to being signed by a major record label, McDell used various social media outlets to gain exposure, posting YouTube videos – including original songs and cover songs, Twitter and Facebook to get her music out to the masses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Stewart (American musician)</span> American musician

James Stewart is an American musician and writer best known for their role in experimental rock band Xiu Xiu. They have appeared in other bands, including XXL, Former Ghosts, and Sal Mineo.

<i>Angel Guts: Red Classroom</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Angel Guts: Red Classroom is the ninth studio album by Xiu Xiu, released on February 4, 2014. It was released in the US via Polyvinyl Records and in the UK via Bella Union. The album was recorded in the Los Angeles home studio of lead vocalist Jamie Stewart, and in the Dallas, Texas studio of producer John Congleton.

<i>Plays the Music of Twin Peaks</i> 2016 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Plays the Music of Twin Peaks is a tribute album and the eleventh studio album by American experimental band Xiu Xiu. Composed of cover versions of the music from the Twin Peaks soundtrack, it was released exclusively as a Record Store Day release on April 16, 2016, by Polyvinyl in the United States and Bella Union in Europe. It was produced by former Xiu Xiu member Jherek Bischoff and mixed by Deerhoof member Greg Saunier.

<i>Forget</i> (Xiu Xiu album) 2017 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Forget is the tenth studio album by experimental band Xiu Xiu, released on February 24, 2017. Produced by John Congleton, Greg Saunier, and Angela Seo, it features contributions from Charlemagne Palestine, Kristof Hahn, Vaginal Davis, and Enyce Smith.

<i>Girl with Basket of Fruit</i> 2019 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Girl with Basket of Fruit is the eleventh studio album by American experimental band Xiu Xiu, released on February 8, 2019. It follows the band's 2017 album Forget and was co-produced by member Angela Seo and Deerhoof's Greg Saunier. The album is supported by the lead single "Scisssssssors", which was released with an accompanying music video. A second single, entitled "Pumpkin Attack on Mommy and Daddy", was also released with a music video on January 15, 2019.

<i>Oh No</i> (Xiu Xiu album) 2021 studio album by Xiu Xiu

Oh No is a duets album and the fourteenth studio album by American experimental band Xiu Xiu. It was released on March 26, 2021, via Polyvinyl. It is described as a "duets album". Its lead single, "A Bottle of Rum" featuring Liz Harris was released on January 27, 2021.

References

  1. ↑ "Xiu Xiu: Dear God, I Hate Myself". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Jamie Stewart and Angela Seo (Hyunhye Seo) in Xiu Xiu | Whatever Makes You Happy, I Will Never Feel Normal (but Love to Diaspora) |". [weiv]. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ Misir, Timothy (May 25, 2014). "Queer Artists to Share Stage in Russian Concerts". The Moscow Times. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 Currin, Grayson Haver (March 14, 2012). "The travails of Xiu Xiu leader and reluctant Durham resident Jamie Stewart". INDY Week. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  5. ↑ "LA Public Health and Cannabis Management Meeting Summary 6/12/2019" (PDF).
  6. ↑ "Meet the Staff". Mark Ridley-Thomas. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Caralee McElroy Leaves Xiu Xiu". Pitchfork. May 15, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Caralee McElroy Leaves Xiu Xiu, Jamie Stewart Writes Haikus | Exclaim!". exclaim.ca. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Dear God, I Hate Myself, by Xiu Xiu". Xiu Xiu. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  10. ↑ Fallon, Patric (March 26, 2010). "Artist Tips: Xiu Xiu". XLR8R. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart Breaks Down Dark 'Always'". SPIN. February 28, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  12. ↑ Xiu Xiu – Forget [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  13. ↑ Xiu Xiu – Wondering [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  14. ↑ Xiu Xiu – Pumpkin Attack on Mommy and Daddy [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  15. ↑ Xiu Xiu – It Comes Out as a Joke [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  16. ↑ Xiu Xiu – Scisssssssors [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  17. ↑ "Xiu Xiu – Girl With Basket of Fruit – Album review". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ Xiu Xiu – A Bottle of Rum [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  19. ↑ Xiu Xiu – Rumpus Room [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  20. ↑ Xiu Xiu – Sad Mezcalita [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] , retrieved April 16, 2022
  21. ↑ Kim, Joshua Minsoo (June 21, 2021). "Hyunhye Seo of Xiu Xiu makes her cryptic solo debut with Strands". Chicago Reader. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Strands, by Hyunhye Seo". Room40. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.