Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra | |
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![]() Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra photographed by Rod Pilbeam, 2023. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Matt Hsu |
Born | 1986 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
Genres | Experimental music, art pop, bedroom pop, Political hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist |
Instrument(s) | Trumpet, clarinet, accordion, double bass, mbira, trombone, marimba, vibraphone, percussion |
Website | obscureorchestra.com |
Matt Hsu is a Taiwanese-Australian musician and composer who records and performs as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra. [1] Hsu was born in 1986 to immigrant Taiwanese parents in Brisbane. [2] As a child he listened to metal and punk music, in an effort to distance himself from Asian stereotypes, but later embraced his Taiwanese heritage, using music to express overcoming internalised racism. [2] In 2020, he became a Queensland Music Awards winner in the world music category [3] and has been identified as "one of the freshest feeling projects in Australian music right now." [4] Matt is also known as the co-founder, trumpet player and songwriter for the folk punk band The Mouldy Lovers. [5] Matt's 2019 debut album 'The Shirt Album' is notable for having been released "in the form of an organic fair-trade T-shirt in place of a CD" with the aim of reducing potential plastic waste. [6] The album features collaborations with noted Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, Triple J Unearthed Sprung Hip Hop winner Blaq Carrie, [7] and Japanese musician Kenta Hayashi. [8] As a 'one-person orchestra' he has performed at TEDx and Australia's BIGSOUND Festival, and has been featured on SBS World News [9] , and ABC's Art Works.
The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) | Ref. |
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2020 | "Make Everything" | World Award of the Year | Won | [3] |
2022 | "Welcome to the Neighbourhood" (Taiwanese: 就當家裡) | World Award of the Year | Won | [10] |
In 2020, Matt established a live ensemble consisting of Brisbane indie musicians, hip-hop artists, classically trained musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists. [11] Also referred to as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra, the ensemble is "underpinned by gender equity, inclusivity and visibility", [12] and currently comprises 20 core members and frequent guest vocalists, which include culturally diverse, First Nations, disabled, transgender and non-binary artists.
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Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You) is an album by Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval that won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 2013. The album is Sandoval's tribute to his friend, Dizzy Gillespie. Musicians on the album include Gary Burton, Eddie Daniels, Joey DeFrancesco, and Bob Mintzer.
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The Queensland Music Awards are annual awards celebrating Queensland's emerging artists. They commenced in 2006.