2008 Woodie Awards
Xiu Xiu Might Just Do it for You
Jamie Stewart chats with The Hornet about his latest artistic endeavor.
John Roberts
Issue date: 9/20/06 Section: Entertainment
Originally from the Bay Area, Xiu Xiu is a band that tends to defy definition. Although some may classify their sound at "Art Rock," this does not give enough justice to their lyrics. The stories front man Jamie Stewart tells the audience are not those your mother would skim over in "Reader's Digest."
The songs are dark tales filled with unsuccessful love and friendships, acts of calculated violence, and even self-inflicted pain.
With their newest album, entitled "The Air Force," released a week ago, The Hornet had an opportunity to talk with Stewart about the new album and his expectations for it.
The Hornet: Is there any way that you would describe your songwriting technique?
Jamie Stewart: I actually try not to have one. With each album, we usually try to do something
different. Whether it is a different lineup or a different approach in procedure.
TH: It seems today that a lot of indie bands are really just looking to become commercially
successful. Is your band also following that path?
JS: We are not at all looking for commercial success. It has never been a goal. We as a band focus on making the best music possible.
TH: One of my favorite tracks from "The Air Force" is "The Wigmaster." What tracks are your favorites on the album?
JS: People have been telling me that "Wigmaster" is their favorite, and it's strange, because the
tracks I thought listeners would really like are turning out to be the ones that they don't. And, the tracks I thought people wouldn't like are becoming their favorites.
TH: Your lyrics usually
originate from conversations with people you know. Would you ever consider writing lyrics from a story someone sent you in an e-mail?
JS: I wouldn't rule it out, but usually the person is a lot closer to us.
TH: Your father was a musician. Were you given a guitar on your third birthday and expected to be a musical genius, or were you supposed to be the football player of the family?
The songs are dark tales filled with unsuccessful love and friendships, acts of calculated violence, and even self-inflicted pain.
With their newest album, entitled "The Air Force," released a week ago, The Hornet had an opportunity to talk with Stewart about the new album and his expectations for it.
The Hornet: Is there any way that you would describe your songwriting technique?
Jamie Stewart: I actually try not to have one. With each album, we usually try to do something
different. Whether it is a different lineup or a different approach in procedure.
TH: It seems today that a lot of indie bands are really just looking to become commercially
successful. Is your band also following that path?
JS: We are not at all looking for commercial success. It has never been a goal. We as a band focus on making the best music possible.
TH: One of my favorite tracks from "The Air Force" is "The Wigmaster." What tracks are your favorites on the album?
JS: People have been telling me that "Wigmaster" is their favorite, and it's strange, because the
tracks I thought listeners would really like are turning out to be the ones that they don't. And, the tracks I thought people wouldn't like are becoming their favorites.
TH: Your lyrics usually
originate from conversations with people you know. Would you ever consider writing lyrics from a story someone sent you in an e-mail?
JS: I wouldn't rule it out, but usually the person is a lot closer to us.
TH: Your father was a musician. Were you given a guitar on your third birthday and expected to be a musical genius, or were you supposed to be the football player of the family?
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