Showing posts with label lovexstereo. Show all posts
Confessions of a K-Indie Band: Love X Stereo
The glorious K-Indie group, LOVEXSTEREO, is nothing but a masterpiece and a gem to the Korean entertainment industry. With their smooth beats, their keen ability to bring out flavorful tracks and simply their
individuality and confidence that radiates just from their beings, it's hard not to fall in love with the band, LOVEXSTEREO. And with my most honored opportunities so far that I have received, we were able
to chat with the unbeatable vocals of the group, Annie Ko, and get an interview out of it. If you want more information on LOVEXSTEREO, check out basically all about 'em, here.
1. Introduce yourselves.
Hello, we are Love X Stereo. Toby plays the guitar and he’s our producer. Annie is our vocalist and she plays the synthesizers. Sol is our bassist. We make alternative music with an electronic flair. Our band is based in Seoul, Korea, and we are currently unsigned.
2. Tell us about your American tour.
We recently got invited to four major festivals in The States and Canada. Including CMJ Music Marathon, M.E.A.N.Y. Fest, MidPoint Music Festival (MPMF), and Indie Week Canada. This is the main reason why we decided to go on our first North American tour. We are heading to Cincinnati, New York, Washington, Detroit, Chicago, and Toronto.
You can follow our schedule right here. >> https://tourbox.songkick.com/artists/6188444/calendar
We need all the help we can get at this point, so we decided to open up a fundraiser campaign, so you can help us by donating your contribution directly to our paypal (lovexstereo@gmail.com) directly.
All the details are written here. (Please scroll down a little until you find English text.) >> www.ucanfunding.com/project/view.php?num=767
3. I hear that you're currently recording & planning to release an album? Details about that? (name of album, title track name, what it's about, release day)
Our new EP album is titled <GLOW>. The official release date will be Sep 26, right before the day we perform at MPMF. There will be 7 songs in total, 4 new songs, and 3 remixes. Our title track will be “Lose to Win”. It has a very soothing, calm vibe with lots of energy. This hopeful song is written for everyone who gets restless about the unknown future. The clear message is this; “keep doing what you’re doing, and eventually you’ll find a way.”
4. You have released your first music video called Seoul City not that long ago and it garnered over 60,000 views in less than a week. What's Seoul City about and how does it relate to LOVEXSTEREO?
Our song “Soul City” is about our city, Seoul. We were riding our bikes along Hangang River at that time. The idea was to capture all the aspects of Seoul, and how we really think about our city. All the goods and bads. We made this song a bit longer than usual, because we actually felt that Seoul is like a never ending song. Added a little psychedelic vibe into it. Once you get to know the city, it’s hard to detach yourself from it, and you get to know more and more and more. Especially, Seoul has a huge history behind, so we felt like there’s a lot to talk about. You should see for yourself.
5. What about your newest track, Bukkeureowoyo? What's the literal and metaphorical meaning of that?
“Bu-kkeu-reo-wo-yo” literally means, “I’m embarrassed.” This song is a theme song for a real-life pop art character, The Jack. He is a famous pop artist in Korea, and “Bu-kkeu-reo-wo-yo” is his catchphrase. So we made a song out of it. The song is very addictive because the lyrics are so simple and direct. He claims this “embarrassness” is the emotion at the root of the universe.
Check his artwork here. >> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thejack-%EB%8D%94%EC%9E%AD/493262977391512
6. What's the overall message you're trying to get across with LOVEXSTEREO's music?
We like our audience to simply enjoy our music, go with the flow, and dance along with us. But our messages are actually a little more complicated than that. The lyrics usually are about our daily lives, relationships, what we see from the news, what we really think about ourselves, and how we should live our lives. We like to ask lots of questions to others and ourselves.
7. What are your goals for the group?
Essentially, we’d like to meet the world. This tour will be the first step. We’d be more than happy to spend our lives creating great music, touring the world, and meet our fans everywhere.
8. Quick question from my mere curiosity: What does the X mean in LOVE X STEREO?
It means it goes either way. So, Love X Stereo means, love goes both ways from one another.
9. Now this question is directed mostly to Annie. I talked about this kind of before but I remember seeing you, Annie, on a 16 minute-ish documentary of the "K-Pop Effect" and how it effected typical South Koreans today. I remember the interviewer questioned you of plastic surgery and your past experiences dealing with the K-Pop industry. Now if I remember correctly, you were offered a deal with a K-Pop company but you had to go under the knife in order to debut. Can you tell us a bit more of that experience? Do you regret the decision of not accepting the deal? What do you think of plastic surgery in general?
> Annie: Well, I was young but I guess I wasn’t that naive back then. In order to achieve success in this business, there are many ways to do so, and especially in K-pop industry, you obviously need a certain “look”. It was very clear that I didn’t have a face they wanted. But our company wasn’t really that mean to me at all. They “suggested” me to do so, because if I have bigger eyes or whatever, people in this business are more likely to be interested in investing. It’s like a leverage. Honestly, I don’t have anything against plastic surgery at all. I do think that a lot of people gain confidence out of it, and that’s a good thing. I didn’t do it simply because, I really do like my face. I never regret my decision.
Does the decision of not getting surgery somehow tie into the groups' overall message to young South Koreans who experience this... never-ending struggle towards perfection?
Well, I haven't thought about it like that at all. Now that you asked, I just want to say "be true to yourself." Not like a relieve or anything, but if you want to go through all that, you should ask yourself if you really, really want it. No regrets!
10. You guys are growing popular in South Korea and somewhat internationally, too, so that popularity obviously includes well, the growth of fans. What's your fan base name if you have one?
No, we don't have one yet.
11. Any last words, thoughts or messages that you want to present to the world or tell fans watching this today?
There are a lot of good K-pop artists out there, yes. But there are a lot of great Korean indie bands as well. If you are interested, please try to find these bands and artists through YouTube, Soundcloud, Bandcamp or K-indie blogs. You’ll be surprised.
LOVEXSTEREO is available nearly everywhere, now planning to their American tour however, need your help. If you like them (which I strongly encourage you do), you can help raise their funds to make the
tour possible or smaller, just listen to their newest track, Bukkeureowoyo with their newest EP, Glow.
http://Twitter.com/LOVEXSTEREO
http://Facebook.com/LOVESTEREO
http://LOVEXSTEREO.com
http://YouTube.com/LOVEXSTEREO
E-Mail: LOVEXSTEREO@gmail.com
Korean-Indie Should be Glorified: LOVE X Stereo New EP & North American Tour
Probably one out of every twenty fans of Korean music have even given a chance to it's less popular internationally yet more popular nationally sibling, Korean Indie. They like the rampant beats, the auto-tuning of inaudible voices and of course, they like the bodies that even the person who has the body couldn't achieve without the amount of Photoshop, make-up and of course, plastic surgery that they have received.
Of course, Korean Indie is an amazing genre, holding huge artists that have even shone some light internationally like Busker Busker and Park Ji Yoon, brilliant and harmonious beats coming from their instruments and pure talent as well as actual meaning to the words they're saying being released. And because we actually like Korean Indie and it should be glorified a little more, we're shining light on one of our favorite Korean Indie groups, Love X Stereo.
Love X Stereo consist of expert members that have more than a decade of experience in what they do, their talents growing with them and their sensitivity to music following along. Releasing music that's authentic, electronic and based on alternative and punk rock sounds of the 90's and pop sounds coming from the 90's, they are becoming an interest in South Korea. Not only do they compose and produce their own songs, but they're also a group that's currently unsigned yet continuing their journey for world domination in North America.
They're already performed at CMJ Music Marathon in New York City, MidPoint Music Festival in Ohio, M.E.A.N.Y Fest in New York City and Canadian Indie Week in Toronto (Canadian fans, you are not left out) and have been around in Washington D.C, Chicago and Detroit.
They're already performed at CMJ Music Marathon in New York City, MidPoint Music Festival in Ohio, M.E.A.N.Y Fest in New York City and Canadian Indie Week in Toronto (Canadian fans, you are not left out) and have been around in Washington D.C, Chicago and Detroit.
With their tracks which often confuse the Korean audience due to their fresh and new beats, this phenomenal group has been gaining respect and interest from all sides of the indepent Korean music scene, continuing to captivate the hearts of the "expat" (foreigners living in Korea) and oversea community with their new style of music "alternative dance"
Some of the bands influences include:
New Order, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Flaming Lips, The Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Massive Attack, Alice in Chains, Oasis, My Bloody Valentine, Weezer, Bad Religion, Ramones, U2, Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Apollo440, Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead.
New Order, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Flaming Lips, The Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Massive Attack, Alice in Chains, Oasis, My Bloody Valentine, Weezer, Bad Religion, Ramones, U2, Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Apollo440, Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead.
Special Preview Link (Please do not share. This is just a demo.)
Lose to Win (from the new EP <GLOW>)
==============================
[BAND PROFILE]
Band: Love X Stereo
Label: unsigned
Genre: alternative/electro/rock
Nationality: South Korea
Influences: electronic, rock, alternative and punk music, especially from the 90s
Debut: Dec 28, 2011
Websites:
Official EPK:
Remarkable quotes:
“Some great music here, has a real unique and distinctive sound! A good mix of indie rock and electronica and punky pop. Has been recorded well, pretty good vocals!” (Stuart Epps)
“Indeed, one readily detects everything from Smashing Pumpkins, U2 and My Bloody Valentine to classic ‘60s girl-group, spacey ‘70s Prog and poppy ‘80s nu-psychedelia in the band’s sound – check, for example, signature track “Soul City” (aka “Seoul City” for a sleek sample of the impressive instrumentation and vocalist Annie’s sensual croon.” (Blurt Magazine)
“Love X Stereo – Rocking in the Shadows of ‘Gangnam Style’” (Music Zeitgeist)
Biography:
Love X Stereo is a 3 piece South Korean electronic rock band. Love X Stereo infuses electronic elements to their original alternative pop, punk rock vibe to create new authentic sound. Love X Stereo is all about experimenting new sounds, new music and new visions. Despite the fact that many genres aside from K-pop are being completely excluded in the harsh environment of Korean music industry, its consistency in creating well-produced, visionary music continues to attract global attention.
Members:
Annie (Lead Vocals, Keyboards and Synthesizers): former vocalist for Skrew Attack
Toby (Guitar, Backing Vocals, Producing): former bassist for 18Cruk, former bassist/guitarist for Skrew Attack, performed as No Brain session member
Sol (Bass, Backing Vocals): former bassist for Airbag, former bassist for Skrew Attack
Key dates, episodes & festivals:
May. 2012 - Opening gig for Asobi Seksu (USA) @ Rolling Hall (Seoul)
Jul. 2012 - Jisan Valley Rock Festival @ Jisan Forest Resort (Gyeonggi-do Province)
Sep. 2012 - RockDo Festival @ Yeouido Floating Stage (Seoul)
Oct. 2012 - Opening gig for The KDMS (UK) @ FF (Seoul)
Zandari Festa ‘AWEH’ Bloc Party @ Freebird (Seoul)
Dec. 2012 - NYE 2013 (ski resort festival) @ Welli Hilli Park (Gangwon-do Province)
Mar. 2013 - “Soul City” P/V receives more than 60,000 hits on YouTube in less than a week
“Soul City” featured in NYLON TV KOREA ad
May. 2013 - IFX Festival @ Incheon Deokjeok-do Island
July. 2013 - Performed at MBC TV music program ‘Nanjang’
Discography:
Demo album <Buzzin’>, December 2011 – title song: Ocean Breeze. 4 tracks included
1st EP album <Off The Grid>, October 2012 – title song: Soul City (Seoul City), 3 tracks included
Collaboration work with Korean pop artist ‘The Jack’ and DnB artist ‘J-Path’ scheduled for release in July, 2013
2nd EP scheduled for release in August, 2013
Upcoming tours:
North American tour (Sep—Nov)
MidPoint Music Festival (Cincinnati), Canada Indie Week (Toronto), scheduled to perform @ Viva Radio YouTube live session (NYC), scheduled for interview @ East Village Radio (NYC), other Korean film festivals and gigs happening in New York
Sep 27: MidPoint Music Festival @ Know Theatre, Cincinnati
Oct 1, 5: Shillelagh Tavern, Astoria
Oct 9: Fontana’s, NYC
Oct 11: RAN, Brooklyn
Oct 12: Parkside Lounge, NYC
Oct 15–19: CMJ Music Marathon
Oct 24–Nov 2: M.E.A.N.Y. Fest, NYC
Oct 16–20: Indie Week Canada, Toronto
Oct 21: Jammin’ Java, DC
Oct 27: The Delancey, NYC
Oct 29: Small’s, Detroit
Nov 3: Elbo Room, Chicago
https://www.songkick.com/
Contact information:
Annie Ko
Phone: +82-10-7118-3076
Skype: lovexstereo
Email: lovexstereo@gmail.com
Oct 24–Nov 2: M.E.A.N.Y. Fest, NYC
Oct 16–20: Indie Week Canada, Toronto
Oct 21: Jammin’ Java, DC
Oct 27: The Delancey, NYC
Oct 29: Small’s, Detroit
Nov 3: Elbo Room, Chicago
https://www.songkick.com/
Contact information:
Annie Ko
Phone: +82-10-7118-3076
Skype: lovexstereo
Email: lovexstereo@gmail.com
