Institute of Contemporary Arts

Xiu Xiu is an American experimental rock band formed in 2002 by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart in San Jose, California. The band’s name is derived from the Chinese film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl, which has influenced their music. The lineup includes Stewart, who has been the only constant member, along with Angela Seo and percussionist David Kendrick. Xiu Xiu released their first two albums, Knife Play (2002) and A Promise (2003), on 5 Rue Christine. Between these, they issued the EP Chapel of the Chimes through Absolutely Kosher and the compilation album Fag Patrol. Their third studio album, Fabulous Muscles, was released in 2004. The band’s subsequent albums include La Forêt (2005), after Caralee McElroy joined, and The Air Force (2006). Women as Lovers was released in 2008 via Kill Rock Stars, and McElroy left the group shortly afterward. Dear God, I Hate Myself, released in 2010, was the first album to prominently feature Angela Seo.