Xiu Xiu, Zoo Zoo, Schwee SchweeXiu Xiu, Zoo Zoo, Schwee Schwee
Gainesville, FL - Xiu Xiu bring the noise, the beats, and the lyrics that stun you. This was the third time I had seen them (once in Austin at an old church, once in Chicago at Pitchfork). They are definitely the band that you want to be in an intimate setting with. Otherwise, you would miss out on the chills Jamie sends when he shivers the lyrics to Boy Soprano out or not appreciate all the different instrumentation bandmate Caralee creates with bike horns and toys.
I could see how people could call Xiu Xiu's music pretentious. It can sometimes be difficult music to listen to. Maybe too much noise for some. I must admit Xiu Xiu are one of those bands that I never listen to at home, but jump up and run to go see them live. You know those kinda bands don't you? Their CDs aren't the soundtrack to my life. They just put on a damn good live show. I'm not as fond of their newest album The Air Force as their older ones, so I didn't quite enjoy this show (pretty much all newer stuff) as much as the Austin show two years ago (plus it was hotttt). It was still good enough to get me coming back again (and looking forward to it).
Kaela caught up with Jamie after the show for a quick Q&A:
Podbop: I read in the Alligator that you used to be a pre-school teacher. What inspired you to join a band and go on tour?
Jamie Stewart: I had always been playing in bands while being a pre-school teacher and I just finally got fortunate enough to make enough money at it so that I didn't need a day job anymore. They had been happening concurrently but luckily for us this kind of took over.
PB: I've heard a lot of different pronunciations of your band name. It's Xiu Xiu (shoo-shoo) correct?
JS: That's how we say it but a million different people who speak a million different dialects of Chinese have told us that we're saying it wrong, and then they say something else but it's always somethign different.
PB: What's the funniest pronunciation?
JS: Zoo-zoo; Schwee-Schwee I think is our fav. That's actually what we privately call it.
PB: What are some of your favorite albums of 2006?
JS: Congs For Brums by Ches Smith, Evangelista by Carla Bouzlich, Marble Mouth by This Song Is A Mess But So Am I, Drift by Yellow Swans, the new looper record, and the new Morrisey record.
PB: What are some of your favorite live shows you have seen?
JS: Deerhoof, Hoodford Cows, Bahaus are probably the best bands I've ever seen live.
PB: What do you think makes a good show?
JS:
Photos After The Jump!
