Xiu Xiu

Xiu Xiu (pronounced shoo-shoo) is an indie/experimental band originally from and currently based in San Jose, California, with time spent in Seattle, Washington in-between. Xiu Xiu is the project of singer/songwriter

Xiu Xiu (pronounced shoo-shoo) is an indie/experimental band originally from and currently based in San Jose, California, with time spent in Seattle, Washington in-between. Xiu Xiu is the project of singer/songwriter Jamie Stewart, and occasionally tours and records with Caralee McElroy (his cousin), Cory McCulloch, and other friends. Past members include Lauren Andrews and Yvonne Chen. Some, including McCulloch, have played in previous bands with Stewart such as Ten in the Swear Jar and IBOPA. The band's name is taken from the 1998 Chinese film, Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.

Xiu Xiu's music draws heavily from several disparate genres including punk, noise rock, ambient noise, and folk. The majority of lyrics deal with morose topics such as suicide, AIDS, war, and taboo past experiences. Musically, Xiu Xiu will often blend cacaphonous percussion with lush hooks and diverging lyrical styles.